To note that something is 360 degrees means that it is comprehensive and able to incorporate all point of view. For divers visiting Grand Cayman, the reefs and dive sites surround the island on all sides, giving divers a 360˚ view of everything the island has to offer. No matter where you dip a fin in the sparkling waters of this Caribbean paradise, whether by boat or from shore, you’ll find a dive site worthy of exploring. In fact, you can dive a different dive site off this island paradise every day of the year. One of the most recognizable ones of the hundreds that ring the island is Bonnie’s Arch, a massive, vaulted coral formation that’s a favorite of underwater photographers.

Most dive boats leaving from docks along the protected west coast can reach this dive site on the northwest corner of the island in minutes, thanks to the typical glass-like seas. Somewhere on the ride, the question inevitably arises, “So, who the heck was Bonnie?” As it turns out, Bonnie Charles is a famous Grand Cayman photographer honored with having this beautiful site named for her. She is one of the countless photographers to immortalize this iconic feature.

As a relatively shallow dive in about 50 feet of water, it is easy to maximize your bottom time, which you will fully use as this is a dive that begs to be explored. A quick giant stride into water the color of sapphires reveals the endless visibility Grand Cayman is famous for. The upper part of the reef is even shallower than 50 feet, and the sun-kissed seascape dances in the midday light, revealing a colorful palette of sponges and soft corals. It is not uncommon to have a slight swell on this dive, which brings the gorgonians and abundant sea fans to life as they undulate gracefully in the water flow.

Whatever preconceived notions divers have on their first visit to Bonnie’s Arch, it is hard to believe just how large and dramatic the photographer’s namesake is. Descending from the upper reef, down a colorful small wall into the caldron-like bowl of coral and sponges, reveals a spectacular formation unlike what most of us have ever seen in the Caribbean. Bonnie’s Arch is no little swim-through, but rather an almost impossibly delicate bridge of coral creating an opening that you and a half-dozen of your dive buddies could easily fin through at the same time. The entire arch is festooned with swaying sea fans, corals and sponges. Clearly, this feature is as attractive to the local marine-life denizens as it is to divers. It quickly becomes apparent that this is one of Grand Cayman’s fishiest dive sites. Of course, there are the endless parades of jewel-like small reef fish. Royal grammas — also known as fairy basslets — pop orange and fuchsia hues every few feet, while hamlets and damsels dart about their territory. Trains of purple creole wrasse stream by like Grand Cayman’s version of an underwater rush-hour traffic jam. But it is the abundance of larger fish that makes things special here. Swimming through the arch opening may mean displacing the resident school of horse-eye jacks that shine like mirrors as they gently glide out of the way, in no hurry to stray from their local haunt. Amberjack often cruise through a couple at a time hoping for an easy meal, while grouper hide patiently in the reef for their dinnertime opportunity. At certain times of the year, divers can find thousands of schooling silversides pulsing like liquid silver around the arch, while determined tarpon float almost motionless, looking for an opening to strike.

The dive does not end with the arch though, as all around there is a rolling reefscape of hard and soft corals. This part of the reef is often the best place to spot shy French angelfish, schooling grunts, sleeping nurse sharks and the occasional sea turtle. On days when there is a little current, it is quite easy to drift all the way from Bonnie’s Arch to nearby Lighthouse Point, and along the way, any number of surprise sightings might appear.

Breaking the surface at the end of your safety stop, it becomes clear why Bonnie’s Arch is not only one of the most popular dive sites on Grand Cayman but also one of the most unique sites in all of the Caribbean.

What to Know

Language: English

Currency: Cayman Islands dollar

Signature Dish: Fish rundown, a stew made with coconut-milk-soaked fish.

Signature Topside Activity: Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Grand Cayman; Owen Island, Little Cayman; Bat Cave, Cayman Brac.

Main Airport: Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM).

Water Temp/Visibility: High 70s to low 80s/80 to 100 feet.

Travel Tip: Carry both Cayman and U.S. dollars — resorts and hotels usually quote prices in U.S. dollars, while restaurants and shops ask for Cayman Islands dollars.

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