Cemetery Reef - Cayman Brac

Cemetery Reef on Cayman Brac is the kind of easy, rewarding dive we’re always looking for when we just want to relax and enjoy the reef. We love this site for its chilled-out vibe and surprising density of interesting critters, especially for macro enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for the aptly named Sand Stargazers peeking out from the sandy patches, and if you’re patient, you might spot an Atlantic Yellow Cowrie navigating the Elkhorn coral. We’ve had great luck here with juvenile Angelfish and Hogfish, often sheltering in the crevices. The main draw here is the sheer number of smaller, fascinating species. We’ve spent whole dives just combing the reef for everything from Dwarf Planaxis snails to the colourful Broad-ribbed Cardita. Look closely at the reef structure itself, because the Mustard Hill and Finger corals provide excellent shelter. Our tip? Go slow, really slow. Don't rush past those sandy areas or the base of the coral heads, that’s where the real magic often hides. It’s a perfect site for photographers wanting to practice their macro skills without battling strong currents, or for any diver who enjoys a leisurely poke around a healthy, vibrant Caribbean reef.

Location: Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands, Caribbean
Coordinates: 19.698483, -79.878970
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Scotts Anchorage - White Bay (Cayman Brac)

Best Time to Dive in Cayman Brac

The warmest water temperatures in Cayman Brac occur in September, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.4°C
February: 27.1°C
March: 27.2°C
April: 27.9°C
May: 28.8°C
June: 29.3°C
July: 30.0°C
August: 30.4°C
September: 30.5°C
October: 30.1°C
November: 29.0°C
December: 28.0°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Cemetery Reef

Little Cayman Divers - PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI, IDEA
Reef Divers - PADI
Reef Divers II - Cayman Brac
Scuba Shack

Marine Life in Cayman Brac

Home to 141 recorded species including 111 reef fish, 23 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 other, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
Blackfish (Melichthys niger) - Reef Fish
Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) - Hard Corals
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
Blue Parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Cemetery Reef

Based on average water temperature of 28.8°C, currents 6 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories