The Cayman Islands – A Quick Profile
The Cayman Islands is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the world, especially among those who come from temperate countries. The much-talked about beauty of the beaches and the many beautiful dive and snorkel sites of the islands are what previous visitors have raved about.
The following is a quick run-through of some facts about the much-vaunted tropical islands in the storied Caribbean seas.
Location
The Cayman Islands are located in the western Caribbean Seas, 150 miles south of Cuba, 189 miles northwest of Jamaica and 480 miles south of Miami.
This British territory is made up of three islands. Grand Cayman is the largest (76 square miles) and where the capital George Town is located. Cayman Brac (14 square miles) and Little Cayman (10 square miles) are the other two islands.
How to visit
Visitors from all over the world can come in through the three airports located in each of the three islands. The Owen Roberts International Airport is located at the biggest island, Grand Cayman.
There is also an airport at Cayman Brac, the Gerard-Smith International Airport and the Edward Bodden Airfield in Little Cayman.
At George Town in Grand Cayman, there is also a popular port for cruise ships from all over the world. The best time of the year to visit is from December to April.
What to do
The first attraction, of course, is the tropical climate of the islands. The next strong attractions would be the beautiful beaches, the dazzling coral reefs, the crystal clear waters, and the exotic marine life.
The government has done its share in keeping the natural beauty of the islands and keeping its waters and coral reefs pristine by passing very strict laws on diving, fishing, garbage disposal, and other related aspects.
Things to see
All three islands (the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman) have their own shares of a number of fantastic diving and snorkeling sites.
At Grand Cayman (the largest island), the first thing you can visit is the Seven Mile beach, bruited as one of the finest beaches in the world. Other places to see would include the Cayman Islands National Museum, Ft. George remains, the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Boatswain Beach, Pedro St. James Castle and more.
For the 2nd largest island, the Cayman Brac, there are other popular tourist attractions that have their own charms. These include the Bluff and Christopher Columbus Gardens, the Cayman Brac Museum, Brac parrot Reserve and the Lighthouse.
The smallest of all the islands, Little Cayman has three popular sites for the visitors to see. It has the Red-Footed Booby Bird Nature Reserve, Owen Island and Point o’Sand Beach.
Where to stay
All the three islands have plenty of options available for the visitors. Some of the hotels in each one are as follows:
Grand Cayman Marriot Beach Resort and the Grand Cayman are the two popular ones at the island of the Grand Cayman. The Brac Ref Beach Resort is at the Cayman Brac island and the Southern Cross Club is located at the Little Cayman island.
All in all, the Cayman Islands have all the amenities of the modern world while offering the tourists some of its old world charms and natural beauty spots.
Top Questions About Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands ranks very high in the list of tourist places to visit. Coming mostly from temperate countries, the typical Cayman Islands visitor wants to enjoy the warm, tropical sun plus the relaxing tropical sea breeze.
Not only that, the tourists would also like to enjoy the sights of the underwater world, enjoy the food and the culture of people.
Since some of the visitors are first-timers, it is only understandable that they have tons of questions about the islands that are not quite clear in travel brochures or books. The following are random questions (and answers) all about enjoying one’s stay at the Cayman Islands.
Does it rain in the islands?
There are two seasons here, the summer (or “rainy” season) and the winter (or “dry” season). Summer in the islands runs from mid-May to October, followed by “winter” or dry season from November to April.
It is not unusual that there are brief afternoon showers in the “summer” months. This is also true in the mornings when brief drizzles do sometimes occur.
Is it very hot?
The average temperature in the “winter” is 75º Fahrenheit and 85º Fahrenheit in the “summer”. In short, the temperature moves within the 70º to 90º F range throughout the year, summer or winter. (Most properties have air-conditioning units.)
Why is diving said to be so good?
First, there are no mountains and there are no rivers, so there is no run-off of water to the sea. This makes our reefs so well-developed and the sea water so clear around them, which makes for the best diving conditions.
We also limit fishing and outlawed anchoring. We educate the divers and do our self-policing in our dive operations.
What if I get sick?
The Cayman Islands’ Health Services Complex is at George Town, Grand Cayman. It has modern equipment and facilities handled by highly trained personnel.
There is also a 24-hour hyperbaric decompression chamber available for divers and an air ambulance service for other emergencies.
There is also a private hospital, Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial, in George Town as well as a number of other private facilities that offer a variety of professional medical services.
Another government hospital, Faith Hospital, is located at Cayman Brac. In Little Cayman, there is a small clinic to serve for emergencies.
Are there any beaches for nude bathing?
There are no nude beaches in the Cayman Islands. Please note that any and all forms of nudity, including topless sunbathing, are prohibited in the islands. Many business establishments also request that you wear shoes and appropriate clothes before entering.
Are there activities for children?
As a matter of fact, there are many. They will enjoy the various water sports like banana boats, two-person parasailing, or discovering the beautiful marine world through snorkeling and swimming.
Adolescents over 12 years can also learn to dive. There are also submarines and other submersibles to view our amazing underwater reefs. Don’t miss the stingray city with tame southern stingrays in their natural habitats.
At the Cayman Islands, you can do a lot of enjoyable activities like diving, sailing, and swimming. The other tourists would like to rest and relax while enjoying the sun, the sea and the sand. The authorities are making every effort to let it stay that way.
What To Do In The Cayman Islands
Staying in a group of islands in the middle of the sea, most of your activities would definitely involve the water. At the Cayman Islands, you are in the middle of one of the world’s most beautiful waters, and one of the most pristine, too.
On all the three islands, there is a head-spinning list of choices that promises some of the most wonderful experiences you can find in this part of the world.
Sailing
For that leisurely relaxation, the island’s slow lifestyle is perfect. The wind will take you away towards the horizon to enjoy the peace and quiet in the middle of the deep blue sea.
There are ships to charter if you know how to sail. (Of course, there are sailing lessons provided by the Cayman Island Sailing Club for newbies of the sea.)
However, if you are after some simple relaxation, you can still sail to the open seas with seasoned sailors on crewed ships. There are also cruises available.
Fishing
You will have some truly memorable angling moments if you go fishing by the sea around the islands. You can do your fly fishing for tuna, blue marlin and wahoo.
On shallow waters, you can lure in the groupers and snapper by bottom fishing. (Don’t forget to release your catch afterwards.)
Kayaking
Kayaking is one perfect way of taking in the scene at a much slower pace. You can learn the natural history of the islands while on a guided tour of its mangrove forests and wildlife.
Have a whiff of the morning breeze (or catch the beautiful sunset) while you navigate the North Island’s long shoreline or Rum Point’s canals and coves. If you go kayaking at night, you might catch some bioluminescence phenomenon.
Windsurfing
One of the most popular sports on the islands is windsurfing. It’s perfectly safe because the wind blows into the islands. Windsurfers are blown back into the shores instead of into the deep waters.
Red Sail Sports is the only water sports operator that offers windsurfing lessons. It is said (by instructors) that the average beginner takes around 20 minutes to learn the basics of the sports.
Snorkeling and diving
Because it is surrounded by the sea, snorkeling around the islands to look at the marine creatures up close is one of the most thrilling experiences you can do around.
For snorkeling, there are shallow reefs around the Cayman Islands perfect for your activity.
If you have your diving gear, you can go into the depths and be mesmerized by the undersea kingdom just around. Either way, you will have a great experience.
Boat tours
For people who don’t snorkel nor dive, you can still see the wonders of the sea in their natural habitat by way of the boat tours.
In the safety and dryness of your glass-bottom boats, you can marvel at the real oceanarium. See the colors of the tropical fishes and the corals underwater.
For big spenders, you can rent some submarines to take you into the depths of the Grand Cayman. What to do in the Cayman Islands? One word: enjoy!
Cayman Islands – A Diver’s Paradise
For a lot of tourists, the Cayman Islands could mean a lot of things. They love the sun, the beaches, the stingrays, and the food. For the divers, however, the Cayman Islands are just short of paradise.
There is never a shortage of scuba diving sites in the islands, a beach and diver’s haven in the Caribbean. Each of these scuba diving site has unique features all its own.
There are fascinating steep walls, marine creatures in fantastic colors and shapes, coral formations, sunken wrecks lying on the ocean floor – all these are present in all of the three islands. Here are some of the top diving sites.
Stingray City
Stingray City in Grand Cayman is the most photographed dive site in probably all of the Caribbean. The famous friendly stingrays have been featured in many ads, documentaries and travel articles since its discovery in 1986.
Today, there are many visitors from all over the world who came and visit Stingray City to pet and feed the rays. The scuba diving site is very shallow, 12 to 20 feet, making them ideal for divers and snorkelers.
Trinity Caves
This has a maze of canyon trails, 60 to 100 feet deep, located at the north end of Seven Mile beach. The reef is filled with sea fans, black corals, barrel sponges, and many others.
It is named after the three caves that look like cathedrals which are home to large turtles, groupers, squirrel fish, lobsters and other reef fish.
The Wreck of the Balboa
The Balboa is a 375-feet freighter that sank 30 feet below George Town Harbor. It is most beautiful at night for photography or video.
Visibility is very good, although it is best for only small groups to explore it because the silt around might be disturbed.
The Hobbit
The site is located at the southeast tip of Cayman Brac and divers usually feel they are hobbits in that place. It is inhabited by giant barrel sponges, corals, turtles and chubs.
There are also the queen triggerfish, grunts, octopi, and queen angels. The site is best for intermediate to advanced scuba divers.
Radar Reef
This site has a series of canyons and coral pinnacles which houses a wide variety of sea whips, feather dusters, barrel and tube sponges, sea fans corals, and starfishes.
These are joined in by octopi, turtles, and stingrays, among others. It has a calm surface and can be reached by boat or swam from the beach.
Bloody Bay Wall
This site at Little Cayman starts with a depth of 15 feet and then drops into a very deep bottom. This is one of the best sites in the Cayman Islands.
You will see soft corals, pastel gorgonians and lavender (or bright orange) tube sponges.
There are also large parrot fishes and turtles exploring the area.
Little Cayman Wall
This site starts out shallow and then drops to unknown depths. Snorkelers can enjoy the area with the presence of yellow, orange and blue sponges along with the soft corals. It is accessible by boats.
There are still diving sites around the islands that are yet to be “discovered” and named. But even with this list of diving sites, you will already have your hands full exploring these fantastic marine sites. Remember, they can only be found here in the Cayman Islands.
Cayman Islands – A Unique Tropical Experience
When it comes to variety, the Cayman Islands is perhaps no different from the world’s most popular tourist destinations. What would probably be the only difference is the quality of the experience – the food, the social life, the adventures, and all the other things that are mostly classified as upscale.
Food
With such a wide array of restaurants and other outstanding gourmet establishments, food and eating at the Cayman Islands can rank among the best in the world. The food is fresh and the cooking is superb, although the price may be a bit on the high end.
The specialties are turtle steaks and turtle soups, conch chowder and conch salad, red snapper sea bass and lobsters. There are restaurants with very good services and they accept credit cards.
Bars and restaurants are well-stocked with all kinds of beverages normally available in America and Europe. Some even have draft beers available in some few bars.
Night life
At Grand Cayman, the day does not end when the sun goes down. In fact, it is just starting at the comedy clubs, bars and nightclubs around. There is variety of music and the clubs have everything: salsa, reggae, calypso, disco and others.
There are also concerts at such places as Lions Centre in Red Bay and theater productions at the Harquail Theatre on West Bay Road or at the Prospect Playhouse in Red Bay.
There are also dinner cruises on board at a replica pirate ship and a 19th century tall ship. For the latest on entertainment on the islands, visitors can follow through the events at the local newspaper.
Shopping
The shopping center at George Town with its array of boutiques and duty-free shops is now one of the leading centers in the Caribbean group. Local foods abound at the Farmers Market Cooperative on Thomas Russell way or Frankie’s Fresh Fruits and Juices on Read Bay Road.
There are also new and modern shopping places with goods from American and European fashion brands, furnishings and household goods. There are local goods, as well like the Tortuga Rum company specialty rum and rum cake, shell jewelry, caymanite (the island’s semi-precious stone) tropical fruits and wood carvings.
The Cayman spirit
At the Cayman Islands, life is a blend of local traditions and American and British social conventions. Shaking of hands is still the usual greeting. Because of the prevalence of people with the same family name, a person may be introduced by his Christian name (Mr. Tom or Mr. Jim).
Flowers are acceptable as gifts on arrival or after a visit for a meal. It is deemed normal to prescribe modes of dressing on invitation cards. Casual wear is acceptable in most places, but beachwear is best confined to the beach. (Topless bathing is prohibited.)
Money
Ten to fifteen percent tips is normal for most services, and hotels and apartments state the specific amount. Restaurant bills usually include the 10 to 15 percent in lieu of tipping.
Currency is in Cayman Islands Dollar with denominations in 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. US dollars are accepted currencies, too, as are credit cards.
At Cayman Islands, everything is accounted for. Simply bring along your sense of fun and adventure.
Cayman Islands – An Abbreviated Travel Guide
The Cayman Islands is one of the world’s top destinations for people who want to enjoy some tropical fun with the sea and the sun. For those not very familiar with this three-island jewel in the Caribbean, the following is some kind of a short travel guide and notes.
The island-nation is a territory governed by Great Britain after having been colonized by the British from Jamaica in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were administered by Jamaica until 1962 (when Jamaica became independent) and the Cayman Islands remained as British dependents.
3 islands
The Cayman Islands is composed of three islands (Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac) 90 miles south of Cuba. The largest, Grand Cayman, is home to most of the population and tourist facilities. The capital, George Town, is located there.
The two islands are also tourist destinations. The beautiful coral reefs and clear waters around the islands are favorite destinations for divers. The beaches, the resorts and the fine restaurants are the favorites of tourists.
Climate
The general climate is tropical where there are warm rainy summers in May to October and cool, relatively dry winters in November to April. The total land area (low-lying limestone base) of the three islands is 262 square kilometers.
The main airport is the Owen Roberts International Airport near George Town on Grand Cayman. It is about a 65-minute flight from Miami, Florida. It is served by many international airlines connected to destinations in the Caribbean, North and Central America and Europe.
Economics
The Cayman Islands inhabitants enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and have one of the highest standards of living in the world. 90% of the islands’ food and consumer goods are imported.
In addition to banking (there is no direct taxation, making them a favorite incorporation site), tourism is a big industry, aimed at the luxury market and catering to North American visitors. They are the one of the richest islands, not only in the Caribbean but also in the world.
Food
The Cayman cuisine has many influences. Local specialties of fish, turtle, and conch are not that expensive because they are not imported. For the gourmet or just plain food lover, there is always a good find in the Cayman Islands. The reason? More than 150 restaurants to choose from.
From the traditional Caymanian seafood to Caribbean cuisine all the way to Thai food and Italian specialties, there is a restaurant that can cater to the wishes of your tongue.
Expect, however, some steep dollars for those high-end menus.
Of course, there is always a good meal to be had at around $20 to $30 per person.
Drinks
Alcohol is very expensive on the islands, even from the liquor stores. They can be twice as much as you pay at stores in the U.S.
Typical bar drinks range from $4 to $7 Caymanian dollars.
Accommodations
There is always an ample supply of accommodations at the Cayman Islands, although they can be relatively expensive even at the two smaller islands. Cost of food and drinks can be high, but many visitors stay at condominiums with kitchen facilities buying their own provisions.
All in all, everything is pretty good in Cayman Islands. Paradise is perfect, right?
Cayman Islands – Some Travel Tips
Preparation is the best thing to do first of all when planning a vacation. Vacationing in Cayman Islands would not be very hard as they have some of the best facilities in the world, some of the nicest people, and best of all, a dream vacation place.
Still, it is wise to know how to talk to the residents, what gadgets to brings, what clothes to pack and what are the local customs to follow and things to avoid. The following are some tested tips from residents and tourists who had been there.
Insect repellent
You would perhaps wonder why this goes first in our list. Mosquitoes are not much of a problem really in the Cayman Islands, spending only around fifteen minutes during sunset.
The bother becomes a nuisance if there is a significant rainfall in the islands. Bring an insect repellent just to make sure you won’t get bothered by mosquitoes.
Appropriate clothes
Swimsuits, flipflops and sundresses are good only at the beach. You can get inside banks, restaurants, and shops only if you are wearing shoes and decent clothes.
In formal places, wear something right for the occasion.
Haggling
You probably won’t get any discount whatsoever if you are going to do some haggling in the islands. The reason is that their products are already free from sales tax.
You will enjoy all the duty-free goodies like clothes and jewelry, rum cakes and toys and so many other things unique only from Cayman Islands.
Car rentals
It might be a little small island to wander around, but if you want to navigate and visit some of those other hidden places in the island, the best option is renting a car. This way, you can also bring your gear anytime to anywhere else.
No touch
When scuba diving and snorkeling, tourists are allowed to watch and take photos of the beauty of the different marine life forms. What is prohibited is touching them altogether. The reason is that they might stop growing, or worse, they die.
Throwing back
Tourists are asked to return their catch back into the sea as part of the conservation efforts of the country. Fish numbers had been successfully maintained at healthy levels, one reason why tourism in the islands is very healthy.
Taxes
There is a 10% surcharge on accommodation rentals. Some hotels charge room tax which is different from the room surcharge. (Ask the receptionist if the price you are paying includes (or not) room tax. This is to avoid getting a major surprise when paying your bill.
Disabled persons
If you are having a companion with a disability, it might be good to stay only at Grand Cayman. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are for the adventurous and the risk-takers. Call the hotel reservations office first before you fly in to ensure your needs are met.
Tips
These travel tips are basic and are not difficult to follow at all. All these are for the preservation of the beauty of the Cayman Islands. You can show your love to the islands by acknowledging its rules and admiring the people’s unique way of life.
Cayman Islands’ Best Places To Visit
If you plan to have a vacation in Cayman Islands, it is worth noting the places in the islands where most people visit and enjoy. The islands offer unique tourist attractions which include Sting Ray City, the Cayman Turtle Farm, and Pedro St. James Historic Site. Below are some of the islands’ best spots.
The Sting Ray City offers visitors an opportunity to have a close encounter with large stingrays. You might love the idea of stepping out from a boat into three feet of water on a sandbar and have legs rubbed with the wings of stingrays. It is said that the stingrays in the area became used to human touch years ago. This happened because fishermen would stop their boats on the side to clean the fish they caught and throw its remains over the side.
The Rum Point is a picturesque place on the side of Grand Cayman where you can hang out for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and dining. The place is ideal for these activities because of its casual island atmosphere.
The Grand Cayman’s Q. E. II Botanic Park is a two-acre Heritage Garden. It showcases a restored early 20th century, three-room, zinc-roofed Caymanian wooden cottage. You can also relax on its 2.5 acres floral garden that displays hundreds of tropical and sub tropical plants.
The Cayman Islands National Museum offers you more than 2,000 items of historical artifacts. These include old coins, rare documents, and natural history specimens. The private collection of historic memorabilia of the late Ira Thompson is said to be the museum’s foundation.
The Boatswain’s Beach (Cayman Turtle Farm) can educate you about sea turtles. It provides expanded facilities for visitor education. The farm holds a research and educational facility dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles. The farm also has some birds, caiman, and other creatures.
The Cayman Craft Market is located in central George Town. The market provides you with locally made wood and leathering products, thatch and straw work, and local visual arts. Going to this place makes you immerse in a unique Caymanian atmosphere where you can buy a real part of Cayman and at the same time learn about the place’s culture and history.
The islands of Cayman also offer you an opportunity to visit caves. Caving opportunities include Bat Cave where you can see a colony of bats; Great Cave which gives you a taste of living in a pirate cave; Peter’s Cave which is known as a hurricane refuge; Pirate’s Caves which are natural limestone caves located below the southern part of Bodden Town; Rebecca’s Cave which is named after a girl who took refuge on the cave when a hurricane was plaguing the area and died and buried in the cave; and Skull Cave which got its name because its entrance looks like a skull.
In addition, you also have the option of hiking in the islands. You can go across Cayman Brac where trails include easy hikes, a group of caves on the southern shoreline, and two miles of trails through a reserve for the rare Cayman parrot. You can also take Grand Cayman’s Mastic Trail where you can see orchids, parrots, doves, woodpeckers, snakes, and lizards.
With all of these tourist spots, you can never be bored in your stay in Cayman Islands. All of these are the best ones to entertain you from day 1 up to your last.
Cayman Islands’ Perfect Weather And Geography For Vacationers
One of the best places to go for a vacation in the Caribbean Area is the Cayman Islands. The islands’ temperature and location make them suitable for people to enjoy their summer vacation with so many activities.
The Cayman Islands can be found in the western Caribbean Sea. The islands are located in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, west of Jamaica and south of Cuba. The islands are about 400 miles south of Miami, 180 miles south of Cuba, and 195 miles northwest of Jamaica.
Among the islands, Grand Cayman is said to be the biggest with a total area of 76 square miles. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are the two “sister islands” of Grand Cayman which are located about 80 miles east of the island. The three islands were said to be formed by large coral heads that cover the submerged ice age peaks of the western extensions of the Cuban Sierra Maestra range.
Two endemic species of Amazona parrots can be found in the islands. The Amazona leucocephala hesterna, also known as the Cayman Brac Parrot, is native to Cayman Brac. The other one is the Amazona leucocephala caymanensis, also known as the Grand Cayman Parrot, is native to the Cayman Islands. Another notable species found in the islands of Cayman is the endangered Blue Iguana which lives in the Grand Cayman. There are also the agouti and the Booby Birds on Cayman Brac.
If you are looking for a tropical place, the Cayman Islands are perfect for you to visit. The islands have a tropical marine climate. You can experience a wet season of warm, rainy summers from May to October in these islands. Whereas a dry season of relatively cool winter from November to April can be felt if you visit the place.
The biggest problem that you can encounter here are tropical cyclones that form during the Atlantic hurricane season that happens from July to November. If you are into a hot vacation, this place is just perfect for you as the place has an average maximum monthly temperature of 89.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
The islands are also said to receive an average of 4.7 inches of rain per month. In the months of May through November, the average monthly temperatures in the islands exceed 90 degrees. While in the months of December through March, the maximum temperatures average about 87 degrees.
From January to April, the rainfall is moderate at 1.7 inches per month. The amount of rainfall goes up to 8.3 inches a month when it reaches the months of May to October. It rains for 20 days in the islands in the month of September and 19 days in the month of October.
If you are planning to go there, the perfect time to do so is in the late winter to spring as the best weather can be experience in this season.
Having a nice vacation in a tropical island can be experienced in Cayman Islands. With the islands’ ideal temperature and geography, it is impossible for you not to enjoy your visit there.
Celebrating Pirates Week In Cayman Islands
Do you want to have a unique vacation experience? Then, the Pirates Week in Cayman Islands is what you are looking for. It may sound bad and crazy but this actually is good and fun.
This started in 1977 by Jim Bodden, the Minister of Tourism. His purpose was not to celebrate the actual pirate history that the islands have but to increase tourism during the low season.
The event has grown in to a major one with the presence of music, street dances, costumes, games, food and drink, Kids’ Day, a glittering parade, sports events, Heritage Days, fireworks, and most importantly a pirate invasion of the islands’ capital.
Now, it is time for you to practice your pirate lines and personality and visit the islands during “Pirates Week”. This is celebrated every year in late October or November. The celebration lasts for about 10-11 days.
The celebration also kicks off the winter tourist season. In these days, you should be prepared for days and nights of pirate parades, costume contests, music, fireworks, sports competitions, and craft fairs.
The week starts with a mock pirate landing by bands of rowdy pirates who arrest the Governor in George Town Harbor. This is followed by a float parade of colorful costumes and local steel drum bands. In the evening, the roads are closed in George Town as the whole Island is yours to party all night long.
You can enjoy dancing under the stars to locals and guest bands. You can also feast on the local food on offer. This event is really something you would not want to miss.
Each day during the week, a district heritage day is hosted by the districts of West Bay, Bodden Town, East End, Northside, and George Town. These districts take turns in hosting the event. These days feature local skills and crafts on show as well as a plentiful feast and an evening of live music.
You will end the Pirates Week with a “Trial of the Pirates” on the final Saturday. You will also enjoy the Street Dance and fireworks downtown. All of these are done in commemoration of the Islands’ early days. The Cayman Islands were plague by bands of pirates who stopped to have some fun and to bury their treasure.
If you worry that you might be left behind on your visit during the Pirates Week, you do not need to. Here are some of pirates’ words that you can use: “Ahoy” means “Oi!”, “Avast” means “Stop!” , “Aye” is “Yes”, “Booty” means treasure, “Grog” is a pirate’s favorite drink, “Landlubber” is a slang for “land-lover” which means someone who is not used to life on board a ship, “Lass” is a woman, “Scurvy dog!” is an insult, “thar” is the opposite of “here”, and “yo-ho-ho” is a pirate’s laugh.
Pirates Week is something unique that you can only see and experience in Cayman Islands. Celebrating this holiday will make your vacation worthy as it can provide you with a lot of fun and new experiences.
Going Around the Cayman Islands
First, if you are a citizen of the U.S., Canada, the UK and most of the Commonwealth nations, you will not need a visa in getting to the Cayman Islands. (Of course, you are still required to carry with you your valid passport and a return or forward ticket.)
And when you are already on the islands, there are many ways to get around — be it on air, water or land. At the Grand Cayman alone (it is the largest of the islands), you can have any one of your activities to last from day till night.
Air
The beauty of the place can surely be appreciated not only when you are on foot but on other means. In fact, there is a whole new vista of the land as seen from the air. You can see the exquisite natural landscapes while you are up there above on a helicopter.
For the more adventurous who is into action, there are Parasailing Professionals who can gently introduce you into the wonders of the sky and the sea breeze.
If you are already an expert in parasailing, you go right ahead and do your thing. You can choose a single, double or triple parasail. (For direct bookings, there are discounts available.)
Land
There are so many ways to do and see once you are out into the Cayman sun. You can choose from the many activities and the many places to visit — from a relaxation place (for those who want calm and rest) to exciting sports and games (for those in search of action).
One ideal spot is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It is located at the center of the Grand Cayman. After paying your entrance fee, you can stay the whole day inside, enjoying the flora and the fauna while taking your time contemplating your personal thoughts. All these while enjoying the scene and bathing in the warm sunlight.
Other places like the Skate Park (the largest of its kind) are for both parents and children to enjoy. They can also do their bonding at the Pampered Ponies, a horse-riding place for horse-riding experience for the kids.
The Honey Suckle Trail Rides offer a slight difference in horse-ride thrills because they have different rides to suit their customers like guided trail rides, sunset rides, midnight rides, and even picnics.
Water
Because the islands are surrounded by water, everyone should have the right to enjoy the water all around. At the Grand Cayman, kayaking is one of the newest activities offered to do your sight-seeing.
Kayaking companies offer tours by day and night. Watch the glory of nature during daytime or you may find a good place to watch the sunset.
At night, watch the ethereal glow of the water brought on by bioluminescent sea animals. Aside from being eco-friendly, kayaking also has the advantage of going to places not reached by conventional roads.
Other water activities loved by their own enthusiasts include scuba diving and snorkeling, water sports, deep sea fishing, and circling about the place by boats.
For all the fun and excitement awaiting you at every turn in these islands, a full day and night is definitely not enough. Some stay for weeks and would still say they still have not done everything there is to do at Cayman Islands.
King Of The Cayman Islands
Peaceful, alluring, breathtaking, and magnificent are just some of the many positive responses of tourists talking about the Grand Cayman, the largest of the three-island group of the Cayman Islands.
It is not surprising for tourists to stay longer than planned, reasoning they have not explored all the other fantastic sites in the Grand Cayman alone.
This biggest of the Cayman Islands boasts of a diverse array of tourist attractions, nature and wildlife sites, white sand beaches, snorkeling and diving spots. The following are some of the top attractions of the island.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
This famous nature park of flora and fauna is 65 acres big, but is easy to trek for anyone. Tourists marvel at the path of bromeliads, orchids, mahogany trees, dry thickets, swamp and wetland.
There are around 300 native species of birds and reptiles living in the palms and the wood swamps inside the park.
Turtle farm
There are more than 16,000 sea turtles at the Turtle Farm in Boatswain’s Beach that had been attracting tourists since 1968. The farm is the only commercial sea turtle farm in the world.
The turtles are in different sizes of pools and are released to the wild after being taken care of. Sometimes, tourists sponsor the release of a baby turtle into the sea.
Butterfly farm
At the Butterfly farm, tourists are treated to a nature walk inside where all types of butterflies are housed. Photographers are treated with so many subjects for their shoots, including the complete life cycle of a butterfly.
There is a resident entomologist to lecture tourists on the many interesting facts about butterflies. (Come early and watch a chrysalis opening and a butterfly coming out of it.)
Seven Mile Beach
The perfect place to swim and enjoy the sun, Seven Mile beach is never crowded even on weekends. The waters are clear and the white sand stretches across five and a half miles.
It is the one of the most sought-after beaches in the world where one can also snorkel, dive, watch the sunset or simply cruise around away from the noise of the city.
Rum Point
This is even more secluded and peaceful than the other beaches, perfect for lounging around in hammocks to relax or to also go snorkeling.
You can come here via the bus shuttle service. Best is by renting a car because going there is also a marvelous experience watching the view.
Pirates’ Caves
These are natural limestone caves with many openings leading to the sea. Children will have a great time inside as it has a petting zoo, a gift shop, plastic dinosaurs, fake bones and talking parrots.
Eden Rock
Eden Rock has two must-see reefs for divers – Devil’s Grotto and Evil’s Rock. At Eden Rock, snorkelers can feed and play with yellowtails, sea fans, sergeant majors, sponges and other fish.
The numerous grottos, caves, and miniwalls of Eden Rock are also popular with tourists.
If you plan to go exploring the beautiful places of the Cayman Islands, the Grand Cayman should be the first place you should visit to start your fun-filled, memorable adventure right away. See for yourself why this place is sought-after by tourists all around the world.
Life In Cayman Islands
Before you plan to go to Cayman Islands to have your vacation, it is important for you to know the kind of life you may experience there.
In the islands, you will not have any problem regarding electricity and water. The electricity in the place is said to be the same as that of the United Stated and Canada (110 volts, 60 cycles). Desalinated water in the islands is produced through reverse osmosis process.
This water is distributed to West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Savannah, Bodden Town, and some parts of North Side. The water that the islands produce is said to be safe for you to drink.
Regarding money matters, the Islands’ currency is Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD). This is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD to 1.227 USD. You can also make use of your traveler’s check and credit cards as they are widely accepted at most stores.
Your MasterCard and Visa with Cirrus affiliation are also accepted particularly on Grand Cayman. Upon withdrawing money, you will have an option of getting either U.S. or Cayman dollars. The available notes for Cayman dollar are $1, $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100.
If you decide to withdraw U.S. dollars and plan to buy something, you no longer need to exchange your money into the local currency as many merchants have their goods tagged with both KYD and US$.
With regards to entering the islands, all U.S. citizens are required to possess a valid passport to enter the Islands. If you are a U.S., U.K., or a Canadian citizen, you can enter the Cayman Islands without a visa.
In connection with the healthcare, the Cayman Islands have a modern healthcare system. If you need to go to a hospital, there are two available hospitals in George Town. You can either go to the government run Cayman Islands Hospital or to the smaller, private Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital.
In addition to these two hospitals, there is also a small healthcare facility on Cayman Brac and a satellite clinic on Little Cayman.
When it comes to security, the Islands have their own police force. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service makes sure that the Islands peace and security are maintained. They also conduct regular off-shore marine patrols in the vicinity of the Islands.
Most importantly, the reason why you will visit the Islands is because of the tourist spots. You can enjoy staying in one of Grand Cayman’s main attraction, the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. You can find a number of the island’s hotels, resort, and condominiums in this place.
It is said to be considered as one of the best beaches in the world. You can also visit some of the Islands’ historical sites to give you an idea of the kind of life the place had 100-150 years ago. In addition, if you are into scuba diving, the place is perfect for you because of the Islands’ crystal-clear water and accessible wall dives.
Your vacation will turn out to be a perfect one if you plan it carefully. And what other way for you to set out your plan perfectly but to know all the information about the kind of life you may experience in Cayman Islands.
Making the Most Out of Your Vacation at the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands are comprised of the Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman and the Little Cayman. This is part of the British territory and is known for its beaches, great diving spots and an offshore financial haven. You have heard so much about the place and now you want to bring your whole family on a trip.
If you have children of various ages, it will be better to time your trip in November when the annual Pirates Week Festival is being held in the place. This way, you will all be able to enjoy not only the sights and the beaches, but the fun activities and festivities that will happen during the celebration.
How to Reach the Place
There are connecting flights available from London to the Grand Cayman. If you have little tots with you, it will be best to take the direct flights. These can be found at different cities in North America such as Miami, Detroit, Newark, Toronto, Atlanta and Charlotte.
These flights can take you to the Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport or Cayman Brac’s Gerrard Smith Airport. There is also an airport at the Little Cayman that caters primarily to inter-island flights. From the airport, various resorts can already be reached after some minutes.
The Beaches and Resorts
The place is home to the Seven Mile Beach that is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is only one among the many others that can also match such in terms of appeal, beauty, location and the activities that you can indulge on during your stay.
The northern part is where you can find quietness away from the flock of crowds that can be found at the rest of the area. This is because there are fewer resorts at this section. You can also try seeing various sights by renting a car to help you in exploring the place.
Sunbathing is not highly a recommended activity if you are at Cayman Brac beaches. For snorkeling and wading, your best bets would be the beaches at Little Cayman because the waters here are calm.
The best accommodations that you can find to suit your whole family are in the Grand Cayman. The resorts here are packed with numerous amenities to make your teenagers feel at home and in constant communication with their friends even while on vacation.
If you would like to be more adventurous and try deep water sports on spots where there are not much people, you can try going to Cayman Brac as well as the Little Cayman.
What to Do
There are various resorts in the place where you can find programs and lessons on snorkeling and diving for kids from age five and up. This is the perfect opportunity for you to introduce your kids to the sports and adventures that you also enjoy. This way, they would understand your passion and may also share the same enthusiasm in the long run.
Another top attraction for the whole family is the Stingray City, where you can hold, feed or swim together with the rays and take lots of pictures. There are more fun things that you can do at the Cayman Islands, so make sure that you plan your trip to make the most out of it.
Perfect Venues to Learn Diving at the Cayman Islands
You never thought that you will be interested to try and learn diving. You don’t consider yourself as the greatest swimmer, which makes you more hesitant to go way beyond the surface. Now that you are already scheduled to visit the Cayman Islands, you might as well benefit from the trip from learning new sports.
This is the perfect time to conquer your fear and start to learn this fun and exciting water activity.
To make you feel at ease about this venture, you must look for dive resorts and programs that are recognized by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors or PADI. It won’t be that hard to look for these spots in the region.
To guide you in the process of trying to sort out your choices, here are some of the PADI recognized venues and programs that can be found throughout this nation.
1. Sunset House Hotel. This can be found near the George Town. This is where you can find the Sunset Divers. There are two wrecks that are perfect for the activity at the reef offshore. Diving at the offshore can be done during the day and at night. This also houses the My Bar, which can be found the resorts grounds, where most divers usually hang out.
2. Cayman Diving College. This institution is at the George Town and is managed by Ashley McKnight. This is a teaching venue for professional dive instructors. This also offers the Discovery Scuba Diving treats that last for three hours. The Diver Down is affiliated with this, which is a program about boat diving where divers are brought to various sites at the Grand Cayman.
3. Divetech Ltd. This can be found at the Grand Cayman where you can avail stay and dive packages at the Cobalt Coast Resort and Suites. The packages include instructions for recreational diving and technical programs. This also offers a diving learning program for kids.
They allow their participants to dive into the Grand Cayman’s reefs and north walls and also at the Stingray City once a week. It also offers other special programs, which include handicapped scuba programs, treasure hunting underwater and snorkeling and picnic at the beach treats.
4. Red Sail Sports. This offers expert diving programs at various beach dive centers and hotels. This is offered at the Marriott Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency, Morritt’s Tortuga Divers, Rum Point, Courtyard by Marriott, Westin Casuarina Resort and Sea Grape.
5. Reef Divers at Little Cayman. This accepts diving instruction programs for beginners to Dive Master and they give out the corresponding certification. They take advantage of the wall diving features and great marine environment at the Little Cayman.
6. Ocean Frontiers, Ltd. This is at the Compass Point Resort on the east end part of the Grand Cayman. Aside from diving, they also provide fishing trips and snorkeling.
Surprise your friends and relatives by coming home with a new found skill and love for diving after your trip to the Cayman Islands. This can be easily achieved by trying any of the programs that are being offered by various institutions that can be found in the region.
Planning Out Your Stay and Visit at the Cayman Islands
With so many places and sights to explore at the Caribbean, it will help a lot to plan your vacation wisely. If you love water and you’d like to visit beautiful beaches or indulge on some water sports and activities like snorkeling or scuba diving, you may want to start the trip at the Cayman Islands.
Insightful Details
Aside from enjoying the water, this tax haven place is also ideal for opening a bank account off shore. The place is located at the Caribbean Sea, which is at the west of Jamaica and south of Cuba. Although the US dollar can be used to buy items here, their money is referred to as the Cayman Islands dollar or KYD.
Many people here are Presbyterian and the main language used is English. The temperatures that this place often gets vary depending on the season. It is often hit by hurricanes during the summer. When it comes to tipping, this can either be automatically added to your bill or you can hand out 10 to 15 percent.
Great Attractions
There are many spots that you will enjoy at this place, such as the Keith Tibbetts shipwreck off Cayman Brac, Stingray City and Bloody Bay Marine Park off Little Cayman. You will also find many places that are valuable to history when you walk along the George Town on the Grand Cayman.
Different kinds of people of different interests will surely find some things, activities and places that can fill up their time here and make their stay quite unforgettable. There is the Little Cayman’s Booby Pond Nature Reserve for people who love nature and birds. You may also want to check out the Mastic Trail and the Cayman Turtle Farm.
During your stay in the place, you wouldn’t want to miss going to its famous beaches. Make sure that you have brought enough swimwear because this is home to many beautiful beaches not only within the Caribbean but all around the world. For one, this is where you can find the Seven Mile Beach, which is recognized as one of the most captivating beaches in the world.
There are many things that you can do within the area aside from enjoying the sights and filling your cameras with good photographs. There are quite a number of hotels, resorts and operators of water sports along the beach.
The resorts that you can find all over the place ranges from simple to grand. There are high-end classes of resorts at the Grand Cayman that are being managed by Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Ritz-Carlton and Westin.
Huge crowds usually flock over the Cayman Brac because this is where you can find lots of commercial establishments. If you want to spend time in quietness, you will find that kind of solace around the properties of the Little Cayman.
To make the most out of your time at the Cayman Islands, you may want to schedule your visit during special events and celebrations. These include the Pirates Week Festival in the fall and the Batabano Carnival in spring.
Presenting the Perfect Honeymoon Spots at the Cayman Islands
You feel giddy and excited about your upcoming wedding. You are about to get married to the person of your dreams and you will be walking down the aisle on the church that is filled with the people you care about and care about you as well.
You have prepared a long time for this celebration, but what makes it more exciting is the event that will come after, which is your honeymoon. You and your partner love the water that is why you have both chosen the Cayman Islands as your honeymoon destination.
What to Expect
The place is perfect for honeymooners who love the waters because this is filled with beautiful beaches. There are three islands that comprise the whole area, such as the Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and the Grand Cayman. From Miami, you can reach the place after an hour and some more minutes by plane.
Among the three islands, the largest is the Grand Cayman. This is where you can find one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, which is the Seven Mile Beach. The spot is specifically preferred by those who want to engage in lots of entertaining and adventurous activities all at once. This is also a great place for sunbathing and surfing.
The place enjoys the highest standard of living in the whole Caribbean. In fact, there are many countries in the Caribbean that suffer from poverty. Such scenario cannot be felt at Cayman where there are 560 banks and about 31,000 registered companies. This is also the home to many eco-friendly spots.
This is because they have the National Trust’s Land Reserves Fund that is responsible in buying and protecting specific areas. While you are here, you may want to check out the Cayman Turtle Farm, which is not only a tourist spot, but also serves important role in breeding and releasing green sea turtles in the wild.
You will also find the nicest sites for snorkeling and scuba diving at the Grand Cayman. There are about 200 underwater spots here where you can get enchanted seeing exotic tropical creatures in different colors. The waters here are warm, which is ideal for most scuba enthusiasts. If you are still not adept in scuba diving, you can take this chance to hire an instructor and get the basic course where you can earn a certification.
To get a chance to see and swim with otherworldly creatures, a visit to the Sting Ray City is a must. Here, you can also grab the chance to try water skiing, wind surfing, wave running and parasailing. There are also certain arrangements that accept sailing adventures and deep sea fishing.
You can also schedule certain times during the duration of your stay bonding with your partner while strolling or doing some bird watching. For these reasons, you can try to hit the Booby Pond Nature Reserve and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. You may also want to do some hiking at the Mastic Trail that is already two century old.
Your honeymoon will surely be fun and memorable at the Cayman Islands with so many places to see, sights to enjoy and activities to splurge on.
Some Of Cayman Islands’ Best Resorts And Hotels
If you are planning to go to Cayman Islands, it is good for you to know the best places that you can go to have a perfect vacation. Here are some of the islands’ best resorts and hotels to stay.
The Marriott’s Grand Cayman Resort is located at 389 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The resort is situated on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach. It can cater to a lot of vacationers as it has 273 guest rooms and 22 suites. The place is a smoke-free zone. Some of the amenities you can enjoy in the resort are a fitness center and spa. You can also choose from the four restaurants that can be found in the resort.
The Reef’s Grand Cayman Resort offers suites that range from studio and deluxe studio to one- and two-bedroom condominiums. It offers all beach-front rooms which are on a 16,000-foot private beach. You can choose from several amenities that the resort offers including three pools, volleyball and tennis courts, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
The Cobalt Coast Resort is located a few miles north of Seven Mile Beach. It offers two accommodation options. You can choose between a one-bedroom suite with a separate living room or a two- bedroom suite with two baths. You can soothe yourself with a full meal plan option which is available at Duppies Restaurant. If you love snorkeling or scuba diving, this resort is perfect for you as it emphasizes on the two.
The Brac Reef Beach Resort offers 40 guest rooms that have either one king-sized or two double beds. You can choose where to eat in the two restaurants in the resort. It is located on 4.5 acres of Cayman Brac Island. The resort caters more to scuba divers, but not exclusively. You can also enjoy some of the amenities they offer including snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, playing tennis and beach volleyball, hiking, bicycling, and mountain biking. The resort also has a pool, spa, and fitness center.
The Little Cayman Beach Resort is located on Little Cayman Island. It emphasizes on scuba diving. You can choose from the 28 pool view rooms or 12 ocean front rooms that it offers. You can enjoy their complimentary services which include tennis, basketball and cycling. It also offers a pool and fitness center.
The Sunshine Suites Resort offers 128 studio suites, deluxe suites and one-bedroom suites. You can enjoy the full kitchen that the suites have. The resort also offers you a complimentary continental breakfast. It is located next to Seven Mile Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Resort, and the North Sound Golf Course.
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Resort offers 365 guest rooms and suites. It is situated on 144 acres at Seven Mile Beach. You can find five restaurants in this resort. The amenities in the resort that you can enjoy include a fitness center, spa, tennis court, two outdoor pools, and a nine-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course. As a guest, you can enjoy their complimentary snorkel gear, water trikes, kayaks, floating rafts, and water hammocks.
Enjoying your stay in Cayman Islands is possible if you search for the resorts and hotels that can give you the best services and activities available in the islands.
Some of the Most Recommended Beaches at the Cayman Islands
You love the beaches and you have gone exploring various sites around the globe. Now you are off to the western part of the Caribbean Sea, known as the Cayman Islands that is a British Overseas Territory. To help you plan your vacation wisely, it will help if you are going to find out first about the popular beaches that can be found on this territory.
Exploring the Top Beaches
The most popular of all the beaches in the island and also all over the Caribbean is the Seven Mile Beach. This is a premier beach resort district that measures 5.6 miles long. Many people seek this place for various activities that include snorkeling, playing beach sports, parasailing, kayaking and a lot more.
This provides a lot of activities and adventures that you will never think of going somewhere else once you’ve settled at the site. There are luxurious resorts that are located at the beach, food stores and restaurants, shops and beach bars.
At the north coast of the Grand Cayman, you will find a nice beach where you can take a great view at Cuba. This is the Rum Point, a lively beach with lots of palm trees. This is preferred by most people who want to indulge on some water sports.
The Wreck Back can also be found here, which has gained popularity for inventing the frozen mudslide. There are hotels near the area where you can head to rest, bars, restaurants and other facilities to make your stay worth the time and money that you will allot on it.
If you are after the recreational ventures that can be found at the Seven Mile Beach, but you don’t want to run in to many people, the best alternative is the Cayman Kai at the north coast of Grand Cayman. This 400 acres beach has shady palm trees, complete with white coral sand. You can do almost everything in here like sunbathing, swimming or engaging in some water sports such as sailing, snorkeling and beach volleyball.
Superb food can be bought at the Kalibo Beach Bar and Grill and the three restaurants that can be found in the area. This beach also has tennis courts, grocery store and dive shop.
If you are longing for privacy and some sort of isolation, you may want to try exploring the Sandy Point. This can be found at the east coast of Little Cayman and is near the West End town. This is specificallt popular to day trippers from the Cayman Brac.
For great snorkeling experience, the Smith Cove is a good choice, which can be found at the Grand Cayman. It is usually quiet at the spot and it only gets busy whenever cruise ships arrive from cruise ports near the area.
If you happen to be with the whole family and you want to spend time doing picnics and some bonding joys, you can try going to the Owen Island at the Little Cayman. This also has a deserted strip of sand for a different kind of beach experience.
There are many good beaches at the Cayman Islands. You must plan your visit wisely, especially if you intend to spend time at some of these great spots.
