Amphitrite’s birth
Amphitrite’s inception began as a vision from local South Sound dive resort Sunset House and sculptor Simon Morris to raise environmental awareness of the need to protect marine life and as a tool to channel visitor traffic away from sensitive reef areas. Named after the goddess of the sea, Amphitrite stands between the shallow reef and the deeper wall to remind us to take care of the creatures beneath the waters.
In 2000, divers anchored Amphitrite into the sandy substrate that she calls home. Her journey started in Canada, where Simon cast her in high-grade silicone bronze and welded the pieces together using rods of the same alloy to prevent discolouration. She was later transported to Grand Cayman’s South Sound. The team gently lowered Amphitrite by crane and guided her to the ocean floor, approximately 130 yards offshore, at a depth of 50 feet. Over the past 25 years, the statue has developed a beautiful natural patina from constant exposure to seawater, further blending her into the underwater environment.
How to meet South Sound’s mermaid
Amphitrite is located around 130 yards from shore from Sunset House. Divers and snorkelers can enter through the resort’s sea pool and follow a sand channel to greet her.
The house reef is alive with movement. Eagle rays sweep past, lobsters shuffle between coral heads, and nurse sharks sometimes rest in the sand nearby. The statue often becomes the centrepiece of underwater photos. Still, it’s the encounter of the sudden, silent appearance of a mermaid in the deep that tends to leave the strongest impression.
Tanks and gear can be rented from Sunset Divers, and guided tours are available for those wanting a bit more direction.
Amphitrite represents something special about South Sound. She’s not just a sculpture, but a quiet symbol of how art and conservation come together. She reminds us of the stories that live in the sea and the beauty of discovering them for ourselves.
Meet the artist: Simon Morris
Simon Morris is no stranger to the sea. A passionate diver for over 45 years, he has logged numerous dives in waters around the world. He has witnessed both the wonders and the worrying changes of the marine world.
“My passion for the ocean, its inhabitants, and the explorers both above and below the surface who have risked and sacrificed to expand our knowledge and understanding, drove me at an early age to speak about my feelings through sculpture,” says Morris. “As I witnessed first-hand the degradation of the environment, I became committed to using my art to raise public awareness of the fragility of the ocean environment, and to help raise whatever funds I could to support the cause of related foundations.”
Amphitrite is one of his most enduring works. She is an expression of art, advocacy and deep respect for the sea. She was the first underwater art installation Simon completed in Cayman, followed by his “Guardian of the Reef” bronze statue placed in West Bay in 2014. As a member of the Artists for Conservation Foundation, he dedicates the use of art to raise funds for environmental organizations and to raise awareness of the fragile nature of the marine environment.
Learn more about the marine life surrounding Amphitrite.
