TESTUDO'S SNORKEL GUIDESTM

C A Y M A N O F F T H E B E A T E N P A T H

North Side - Wonderland- North Side Cemetery to Chisholm's Grocery -

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands BWI

Blankets of Finger Coral and clusters of mushroom-like of Star Coral

The lack of snorkeling opportunities this trip, due to unfavorable water conditions, had me sufferingthrough a bout with melancholy that would make Mock Turtle jealous. I was desperate not allow the doorto close on 2010 without at least one final go at a snorkel. It was growing late in the day and theunrelenting currents over at Rum Point were dissuading me from heading out to my usual go to spot atthe Coral Gardens. I was off into my own pool of tears when, thanks to a tip from blog reader Jim D., Ifound my salvation - a site I think I shall call Wonderland. I can almost swear I glimpsed puffs of smokefrom a giant blue sea slug wafting among the mushroom-like corals; and was that a grinning CheshirePorcupinefish, popping in and out amongst the underwater tree branches?

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LOCATION INFO (19°21'5.14"N 81°12'22.49"W): Situated in the heart of the wee village of North Side,just past the Post Office and Civic Center when heading West, is a small seaside park (about 2.1 milesfrom the Frank Sound Rd/North Side Rd. intersection and 1.5 miles west from Over the Edge restaurant).The park consists mostly of an overflow parking lot for the church across the street and some some

picnic tables (making this a nice lunch spot for those heading to and from Rum Point). Adjacent to theeastern side of the park is the North Side Cemetery. Park your car at the park, use the tables to organizeyour gear and the sandy beach is only a few yards away. If present, follow the fish-footman into the seaand start your adventure.

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Parking Area Adjacent the North Side Cemetery and across from the North Side Wesleyan Church

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North Side Cemetery and Wesleyan Church

Views of the beach at the park's water entry

SITE CONDITIONS: The water entry is a mostly small rocks and coral debris, but can be managedbarefoot if you like to put your fins on in the water. The general snorkeling area is about 700 yds long,running East/West from the park down to Chisholm's Grocery Store. The barrier reef is very close toshore here, ranging from about 75 - 150 yds, so heavy wave action and surge gets mitigatedsignificantly. However, if the seas are rough you may still encounter some surge the closer you get tothe barrier reef, as I experienced on my visit. The general current along the north shore runs East toWest and was not particularly strong at this site. My advice is to start from the East and make your wayWest with the current.

This is a shallow water snorkel area and the coral height can make navigation difficult during low tide, asI also experienced. If possible you should aim for a visit when the high tide is approaching (CaymanTidal Forecasts). Average water depths ranged from 2 - 8 feet, getting shallower the closer to thebarrier reef.

As is the case with many sites on the north shore, mock turtle grass patches appear almost immediatelyupon entry. The water remains fairly shallow until about 40 yards out where is begins to approach 4-6feet. There happened to be a fallen tree about 60 yds straight out from the beach on my visit. Due inequal parts to the surf and turbidity in the water, the branches appeared to "grasp out towards you witheach swell. It made for an eerie underwater sight. Would love to check it out in a few weeks on acalmer day to see what grinning creatures have made it their home.

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This site is all about the coral. There are fish and other marine life here, but I did not encounter thesheer numbers or diversity as at other sites. However, some fish I did encounter definitely ate far toomany cakes.

I have seen some big Barracuda, but he was easily the biggest fish I have ever seen. No lie, his tail fin was as wide as myflipper!

At about 40-50 yds out you will reach the first coral. Turn left, then turn right into the hedge-like coralcluster maze and start exploring. The shallow depth and serpentine layout of coral make paying carefulattention to your immediate surrounding critical to avoiding a nasty brush with the coral. There arenumerous species of coral in this area, creating a rainbow-like profusion of colors. Garnet Starlet Corals,verdant green and ocher star corals, purple Corky Sea Fingers and Yellow Mustard Hill and Brain Corals.I was getting bounced around a good bit, so the pictures really do not do justice to the true vibrancy of

the corals here.

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Blood orange and verdant green Star Corals

Cory Sea Fingers with their Polyps extended and a Mustard Hill Coral cluster

Lettuce Coral and a unique shaped Brain Coral

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'Humpty Dumpty' - Finger Coral with polyps extended

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"Off with their hands!" The Digit Garden - Finger Coral and Corky Sea Finger patches

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The Caterpillar's Mushroom Garden of Ocher Star Coral

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Another view of the Digit Garden

As you head west, Elkhorn Coral start to become more prevalent and the Star and Finger Corals give wayto large Brain and Starlet Corals. The overall vibrancy and health of the corals also begins to diminish. Ifound the best snorkeling in the area behind the Mahogany Point Condos (near docks) to be towards theshore side of the coral shoals. This was also the section that presented the most surge and largestrollers. The water action on the inland side was much calmer. As you approach Chisholm's you'll pass anundeveloped parcel of land and the sea floor will become grassy again. This is where I was taken bysurprise by the big barracuda.

The water exit behind Chisholm's Grocery has a fair amount of smooth and sharp ironshore, but the seafloor is fairly clear of debris and sharp objects. I suggest keeping your fins on and doing the backwardsduck walk onto the beach to lessen the chance of a lacerate foot.

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The Queen's Croquet Garden on the reef side and 'Tweedledum and Tweedledee' Brain Coral specimens on the shore sideshoal

The water exit area behind and image of Chisholm's Grocery (notice the iron shore)

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Mesmerized by the world unfurling before my eyes, I was getting drawn deeper and deeper into thiswondrous site; completely absent-minded that the time I had arranged for my pick-up by Chisholm'sGrocery had long since past. While engrossed watching a quadrille lobster in its den, I heard my nameoff in the distance. The faint calling, quickly grew into shouting, scolding me for being very, very late fortea. Sorry Honey.

I'll let you guess what movie was playing on the plane down.

ALBUM with additional images.

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