Fees · Country Guide

Cayman Islands

Three islands, protected reefs, and wall diving on every kind of Caribbean itinerary

Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 24 sources

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Fees And Permits

Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.

Fees You Can't Skip

Tourist Accommodation Tax - 13% of accommodation charge
Kittiwake Dive Medallion - USD $10 per diver per visit
Typical payment pattern: The Cayman Islands do not operate like Bonaire, where every diver buys a national marine tag.

What people usually pay

The Cayman Islands do not operate like Bonaire, where every diver buys a national marine tag. Instead, visitors encounter accommodation taxes, operator-controlled specialty-site charges, strict marine conservation rules, Kittiwake access fees, and permit systems for activities such as lionfish culling or fishing. Most recreational divers and snorkelers pay through operators or lodging rather than buying permits independently.

Fee	Amount	Applies to	Where to pay	Notes
Tourist Accommodation Tax	13% of accommodation charge Per stay	Most visitor accommodation	Collected by hotels, condos, villas, and lodging providers	Budget this into total trip cost, especially on Grand Cayman where lodging can be the largest expense.
Kittiwake Dive Medallion	USD $10 per diver per visit Per Kittiwake dive visit	Divers visiting the Ex-USS Kittiwake site	Usually arranged through licensed watersports or dive operators	Operators may bundle or itemize the fee. Private boats and licensed operators must follow site rules and mooring limits.
Kittiwake Snorkeler Bracelet	USD $5 per snorkeler per visit Per Kittiwake snorkel visit	Snorkelers visiting the Ex-USS Kittiwake site	Usually arranged through licensed watersports or snorkel operators	The wreck is a boat site, not a shore swim. Choose calm weather and responsible operators.
Marine Park and Public Mooring Conduct	No general visitor dive tag published Always in force	Divers, snorkelers, boaters, freedivers, and fishers	Not a visitor purchase; follow Department of Environment rules and operator briefings	Do not anchor on coral, take coral or sponges, take marine life while scuba diving, wear gloves on reefs, or ignore mooring rules.
Wildlife Interaction Zone Operator Requirements	Operator license dependent Applies during regulated wildlife interactions	Commercial operators and visitors joining wildlife interaction tours	Book licensed operators for Stingray City and Sandbar trips	Fish feeding outside designated Wildlife Interaction Zones is restricted. Visitors should follow guide instructions and avoid harassing rays or other wildlife.
Fishing, conch, lobster, whelk, and lionfish permissions	Varies by permit or closed season Species and season dependent	Fishers, collectors, and trained lionfish cullers	Cayman Islands Department of Environment where permits or licenses apply	Recreational scuba divers should not collect marine life. Lionfish culling requires training and licensing, and protected species seasons change by law.