Tourists make the three Caymans come alive, so visitors get lots of special treatment. They commend the various types of accommodations throughout the islands, all comfortable and clean, and luxurious, if desired. If you’ve made the trip to relax or get away from a cold winter, no one will prevent you from soaking up the sun all day. If you’d like a little more action, the warm waters around the Caymans provide water sports galore. A quick note about its ambience. The British own the Cayman Islands, but you will find them more casual and American in feeling. Travelers say the locals are pleasant, the islands are clean, prices are reasonable, it is easy to get around and there is a sense the islands are safe.

Unlike most other Caribbean locales, the Caymans don’t offer lush tropical scenery. They sit largely on coral and seashell, and their wonders are largely under the sea — hence the diving mania. But a couple of beaches compare with any in the world for beauty and comfort. The Caymans have a special draw for active venturers—scuba diving! They enthusiastically describe the joys of diving and snorkeling, singling out the local dive masters for special praise. The fantastic plants and ocean life so easily seen in the clear blue waters entice them below the surface over and over again. Sailing and windsurfing are popular on top of the water. Like some other islands in the Caribbean, the Caymans have awakened to the dangers to their environment from overcrowding and pollution, and they have made sincere attempts to protect native flora and fauna. Most tourists appreciate that fact.

For those not diving at every opportunity, the Caymans to not offer a great deal to see and do. Rather, it's a place to let a weary traveler unwind, be lazy or enjoy some water activities where the ocean is warm, blue and clear. That’s what centrics say anyway.
Authentics don’t visit as often, but their ratings of the islands show that they have a great time. They emphasize the weather, its unspoiled and clean appearance, and the lack of crime and poverty. They also note the fact the Caymans aren’t really that far from home. So, forget about jet lag for Americans and be comfortable in the fact that they all speak English. And, most like the duty-free shopping.

If scuba diving motivates you, consider staying at one of the inns that focus on divers and their interests. Typically small in size, often owner-managed, they care about what you care about — fantastic undersea gardens, fish and other sea life. The tourism department maintains a site just for those planning to dive, at www.divecayman.ky.

Parasail along the Seven Miles Beach. Go waterskiing. Hire and captain a small sailboat.

Enjoy the beaches on horseback.

For those who like sport fishing, the Caymans are an angler’s paradise. You can make big catches as close as a quarter mile offshore on all three islands. Consider entering one of the local fishing tournaments. Local captains promote conservation by encouraging anglers to release any fish that will not be eaten and all billfish unless they set local records or are potential prize winners in tournaments.

If you don’t sail, take sailing lessons, and get yourself on a sailboat for at least one sunset.

Scuba divers should consider visiting Stingray City. Frequented by rays that are now relatively tame (they have been hand-fed), visiting divers can swim with them and feed them by hand, too. At Stingray sandbar, snorkelers also can watch the rays and know what is like to have such creatures beg for food from humans (by brushing their bellies against your hands and feet).

Arrange for underwater videos and/or photographs of your diving and snorkeling experiences.

Take a guided walk along the two-mile Mastic Trail in the Mastic Reserve on Grand Cayman. The reserve is the largest area of untouched, old-growth dry forest remaining on the island. As one of the last remaining examples of the Caribbean’s dry, subtropical forest, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands has given it a special protective status.

Travel around Grand Cayman on a hired motor scooter or bicycle.

If you don’t dive but want to, take lessons.

The Caymans offer many ways to get wet. Consider aqua trikes, banana boats, hobie cats, ocean kayaks, paddleboats, paddle cats, sun searcher floats, view boards, waverunners and windsurfing boards.

Sample traditional Caymanian dinner fare: stewed conch (pronounced “conk”) or jerk chicken with rice and beans.

Take a two-hour afternoon “pirate cruise” on the Jolly Roger, a replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon. Play the pirate, fire the cannon, watch a sword fight — and don’t think this is just for families with children. The vessel also does double duty for sunset and dinner cruises.

Learn to snuba—a cross between diving and snorkeling. They tie you to an inflatable raft that holds your oxygen tank, allowing you to have some of the same experiences as a scuba diver (so they say).

Fly-fishing is one of several options for anglers, but most recommend bringing your own gear. Just as some inns cater to divers, other inns cater to light-tackle fishermen, and a few cater to both.

Join the locals at the Pirates Week Festival held each autumn. Parades, costumes, street dances — and a “pirate invasion” — are part of the festive goings-on. The event has become so popular you'll need to reserve well in advance.

At the Booby Pond Nature Reserve on Little Cayman, use the viewing point at the visitor center for a look at the rookery, site of a large breeding colony of red-footed booby. (No entry allowed to the protected breeding colony.)

Visit the beautifully reconstructed 1780 great house, the Pedro St. James Historic Site, in Savannah, Grand Cayman. It is considered the birthplace of democracy in the Caymans. Two other historic buildings were moved to the site: an early 20th century Caymanian-style cottage and Steadman Bodden house, a restored traditional 100-year-old Caymanian wattle and daub home.

Take a sunset or dinner cruise aboard a 19th century tall ship.

Marvel at the underwater scenes here without getting wet. Sign on for one of several submarine options: The largest travels only five feet under the water while the smallest makes dives of up to 1,000 feet into the ocean.

Go shopping. The Caymans are a duty-free destination. Also, look into the arts-and-crafts galleries for special finds.

Go to Hell—a district on Grand Cayman that features ancient rock formations that look so barren—like the charred remains of a hellfire—that the area earned a special name. This is very hard limestone, estimated to be 1.5 million years old.

Go golfing with stunning Caribbean views as a backdrop.

Go bird-watching on Cayman Brac, which has almost 200 bird species. You’ll certainly want to get a look at the endangered Cayman Brac parrot, a protected species with a population of only 350. Visit the 180-acre Cayman Brac Parrot Reserve and its associated nature trail. The reserve is part of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

Turtle hunting attracted attention to the Caymans, but it almost wiped out these reptiles. Don't miss a chance to observe several varieties. Visit the Turtle Farm, now home to more than 16,000 sea turtles ranging in size from six ounces to 600 pounds. The farm has been so successful at growing the numbers that it has released 29,000 of the endangered turtles into the sea since 1980.

If you want to visit a museum, the Cayman Islands National Museum on George Town’s waterfront waits for you. The simple but attractive and interesting buildings contain displays that will help you appreciate the Caymans.

For more information, consult the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism at www.caymanislands.ky
To find a Cayman Islands Travel Specialists, click on Vacation Essentials, then click Find a Cayman Specialists, or just go to www.caymanislands.ky/vacation_essentials/specialist_search.asp

back to top