Spotts Beach

Spotts is a small public beach on the quieter south shore of Grand Cayman, backed by casuarinas, with a shallow reef and seagrass beds close inshore. Those beds are the draw: green turtles feed on them, often several at a time, and they are close enough to reach snorkelling from the beach rather than needing a boat. It is a public park with toilets and shade, used by Caymanians, and it was the island's cruise tender landing before the George Town facilities were built. The turtles here are wild and free-ranging, unlike the animals at the turtle centre.

What you actually see

• Green turtles - feeding on the seagrass within snorkelling distance.
• The shallow reef - coral heads off the eastern end.
• The casuarina shade - trees along the back of the sand.
• The old tender dock - the island's former cruise landing.

When to go

November to May is the driest and calmest. Early morning is best for turtles and for calm water. The south shore picks up swell from the southeast at times, which reduces visibility.

Honest expectations

Turtles are protected and must not be touched, chased or blocked from surfacing; regulations are enforced and fines are real. Sightings are not guaranteed on any given day. The beach is small and the parking limited. Southeast swell makes the water cloudy.

Nearby

Pedro St James is ten minutes east; George Town is fifteen minutes west.