Ironshore Gardens: A Dive For The Adventurous (Especially During The Summer)

 

 

"My favorite parts... places like Ironshore and then, or Kelly's Caverns and then on the other side, Snapper Hole and others. All the other dive sites, those are incredible... Well, I love Ironshore Gardens when they have the silversides. That was mind blowing... "

 

— Dive Instructor Chico Amorim

 

 

A heavy hitter of a dive site, Ironshore Gardens is so named because it is found behind an outcropping of hard and rugged rock known locally as Ironshore. Islanders used to wear shoes made of cowhide called 'Wompers' – but even these tough shoes offered little protection from the sharp ironshore. 

 

At first glance, the site is a mess of ridges, canyons, arches, tunnels, and overhangs, but it is more straightforward than first meets the eye. Ironshore Gardens comprises parallel steep-sided north/south running ridges and canyons with swim-throughs connecting them. You can do the whole thing without ever doubling back on yourself. 

 

Ask your captain why one of the tunnels is called 'The Throat' and watch them smile as they decide whether to tell you! Either way, the cavern leading to The Throat is often full of weird-looking Glassy Sweepers. These unusual fish are see-through; you can see what they had for breakfast! Their shiny sides catch the narrow beams of light and create an incredible display as they dart about the confined space. 

 

Dispelling any myth that sites with great topography are devoid of marine life, Ironshore Gardens has vast numbers of fish, rays, crustaceans, and myriad other critters. The tops of the ridges are shallow and make for a picturesque safety stop. You must spend time admiring the large Acropora formations here - the aptly named Staghorn and Elkhorn corals. 

 

These features make Ironshore Gardens the perfect fit for schools of millions of Silverside Minnows to make it their summer getaway during their migratory stop in the Cayman Islands during the summer months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ironshore Gardens: A Dive Site For The Adventurous

 

 

 

With a laundry list of reasons that make Ironshore an exciting dive site to explore, its undoubtedly one of the most popular and talked about dive site in the East End. It's especially popular during the summertime, when silverside minnows migrate for the summer months and take refuge in cavernous areas like this.

 

This awesome image by Reef Smart Guides shows you the layout, terrain, and wildlife waiting to be explored at Ironshore Gardens!

 

 

 

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Silversides Have Returned to the Caverns of Ironshore Gardens, Fish Tank, and More

 

 

 

"Ironshore seasonally has silversides… millions of silversides that fill whole caverns. And then tarpon swim through and they'll part ways. You can get some really cool shots. Yeah, you swimming through them, they'll part ways for you. Yeah, but yeah, that's the swim through there. Definitely my favorite thing about East End."

 

— Dive Instructor Trevor Davgin

 

 

 

The cavernous dive sites of the East End like Ironshore Gardens make the perfect summer sanctuary for Silversides to keep safe from predators like Jacks and Tarpon lurking around. The massive schools move in unison, creating “waves” as they react to movement from fish, divers, or anything else they need to get out of the way of. This makes for some unforgettable moments watching silversides elegantly dance around you as you swim through them - An experience you won’t get amongst most other fish species.

 

Photo by Toby Slack

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"And when you do get silversides up at Snapper Hole, that is a really special experience. I mean, we have them right now at Iron Shore Gardens. It's the best bloom that we've had in years. I think it's probably the best bloom that I've ever seen of silversides since I've been here. The last one that we had was up at Snapper Hole."

 

— Manager Evan Verreault

 

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Photo by Alex Mustard

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If you find yourself diving in Grand Cayman during the summer, don’t forget about these flashy little fish, and check with us - we just might be able to take you right to them, and to some of our most exciting dive sites for an adventure!

 

 

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About Ocean Frontiers Ltd.

 

Ocean Frontiers Dive Shop is located on the remote East End of Grand Cayman. Founded in 1996 with one dive boat and a dream to introduce divers to the wonders of East End diving, the company has grown into one of Cayman’s premier dive operations. In 2023, it was voted the Caribbean region's Best Dive Operator in SCUBA Diving Magazine's Readers Choice Awards, taking first place in 7 categories. Recognized for legendary customer service and the island’s friendliest staff, Ocean Frontiers also stands out for its commitment to conservation. With numerous awards and the distinction of being the first dive operator in the Cayman Islands to receive the PADI Green Star Dive Center accreditation, Ocean Frontiers remains at the forefront of marine conservation and exploration.

 

Give us a call or reach Ocean Frontiers at:

Phone: 1(345) 640 7500

Email: info@oceanfrontiers.com

Physical Address: 344C Austin Conolly Drive, East End, Grand Cayman,Cayman Islands

Mailing Address: Ocean Frontiers Ltd, PO BOX 200 East End,Grand Cayman KY1-1801 Cayman Islands BWI

Local Fax: 1 (345)-947-7600