Cayman Islands

 

Three Islands

Nestled in the calm, turquoise waters of the western Caribbean, lies the peacefu l British Overseas Territory known as the Cayman Islands. Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman remain our little piece of paradise.

Spectacular natural beauty, a wealth of activities and points of interest, along with all the modern conveniences to make your stay as comfortable as possible can all be found here on the largest and most developed of the three Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman is the home of George Town, the capital city, which boasts some of the finest cuisine and shopping in the Caribbean. 

Whether you want to explore a sunken wreck, dance the night away, or simply go sightseeing, Grand Cayman is the place to start.

Grand Cayman

One of the many attractions Grand Cayman has to offer is Seven Mile Beach.  With sand stretching as far as the eyes can see, it is rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Caribbean. Other attractions on Grand Cayman include the 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, the National Trust's Mastic Trail (2 mile traditional footpath through unspoiled woodlands in North Side), the Cayman Islands National Museum in George Town, Pedro St. James Historic Site in Savannah, Boatswains Beach, Hell, National Trust historic walking tours of central George Town and West Bay, blowholes in East End, district and historic buildings now being restored under the direction of the National Trust and National Historic Sites Committee, (including the Old Savannah Schoolhouse). Rum Point is also an attraction not to be missed.  Imagine sipping a cocktail in a hammock on a beach shaded by majestic Casuarina trees. Enjoy a beach snack or indulge in an a la carte meal or simply take a dip in the crystal clear sea.

 

Plunge into adventure!

Cayman is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean. We've been proudly showing off our spectacular underwater world since 1957 when scuba pioneer Bob Soto opened Grand Cayman's first dive shop. Today, Cayman is one of the world's top dive destinations, with more than 40 dive operations and 200 dive sites marked with moorings. Our warm, calm waters, 100 ft. plus visibility and breath-taking variety of marine life offer a world of exciting logbook entries. Each island offers very different diving adventures for divers of all levels from novice to Nitrox and Tec diving. 

Sister Islands

Our Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman have preserved that elusive tranquility and natural island charm many search all over the world for. Located 89 miles northeast from Grand Cayman, they are a short flight but an enchanting world away, an eco-tourism paradise for divers and nature-lovers. Their legendary walls and breathtaking marine life have thrilled many of the world's most famous underwater photographers for decades. 

Professional dive operations offer services ranging from instruction to underwater photography centers. Above water, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are as colourful and exciting as the surrounding Caribbean Sea. Discovering the terrestrial treasures of each enthralls curious travelers, nature lovers and photographers. Small, casual beachfront resorts, condominiums, cottages and guest houses offer modern comforts and amenities that make sampling the Crusoe-like attractions a pleasure.  Little Cayman, at only 10 miles long and a mile wide, offers that rare combination of sun-blessed solitude, glistening beaches and miles of untouched tropical wilderness. Here, shy iguanas and rare birds outnumber humans. Bloody Bay Marine Park is one of the world's truly legendary dive sites: the sheer coral wall begins at 20 ft. and plunges to 6000 ft. 


Grand Cayman visitors can choose from a wonderland of more than 159 dive sites. It's all here: steep, deep walls adorned with sponges and corals in a stunning array of colours, shallow reefs filled with schooling and solitary fish and small invertebrates, and wrecks featuring photogenic structures and curious marine residents. There's also the World's Best 12 Foot Dive - unique Stingray City. 

Grand Cayman's reefs offer a variety of marine life encounters. The fish and critters are unafraid of divers, knowing we pose no threat. They don't flee when approached. Instead, silvery Tarpon hover motionless in mid-water, surrounded by glittery Silversides, and French Angelfish that fin in close to check you out. Huge Barrel Sponges and swirling schools of fish are common off Grand Cayman. These reefs are unspoiled.  orgonians and hard corals thrive in the clear, warm waters.  Most dive sites are just minutes offshore. 

 

Little Cayman

is the least developed of the Cayman trio. With a resident population of less than 170, most of Little Cayman remains uninhabited. Only 10 miles long and a mile wide, it still offers that rare combination of sun-blessed solitude, glistening beaches and miles of untouched tropical wilderness. Here, shy iguanas and rare birds outnumber humans.

 

Total Relaxation

On Little Cayman, you'll find privacy and total relaxation. Bask yourself on empty beaches. Venture to remote South Hole Sound Lagoon for a private swim. Or row out to tiny, deserted Owen Island to enjoy a view of nature in its most pristine form. Here, you can truly ease the body and soul.

A Spectacular Diving Experience

On Little Cayman; diving is the main attraction - especially on famous Bloody Bay wall and Jackson Point. Bloody Bay Marine Park is one of the world's truly legendary dive sites: the sheer coral wall begins at 20 ft. and plunges to 6000 ft. Colourful coral gardens, wavering sea plumes and exotic tropical fish thrive among more than 50 unique dive sites. 

Activities and Attractions

Exceptional fishing can be done on Little Cayman.  Bonefish, small tarpon and permit, particularly in South Hole Sound lagoon, challenge anglers looking for light tackle action along the coast. The 15-acre Tarpon Pond is always filled with small, but feisty, gamefish.

Little Cayman also has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby (5000 pairs) in the Caribbean, a breeding colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds and large heronry, the country's first RAMSAR site, the 203 acre Booby Pond Nature Reserve, now under National Trust protection. Groundbreaking took place on 22 July, 1995 for the Little Cayman Trust House, a Caymanian-style building overlooking the rookery, which opened in late 1996 and serves as the headquarters for Little Cayman National Trust activities. It also provides an observation deck with high-powered telescopes for year-round viewing of the sanctuary's bird life. Little Cayman now has its own museum, located across from the Booby Pond Nature Reserve.

Little Cayman also has a resident indigenous Little Cayman Rock Iguana population estimated at 2,000. Signs painted by local artists were erected in 1995 cautioning motorists to watch out for iguanas along the main coastal road.

The local chapter of the National Trust organizes outings and activities on a regular basis. The mile-long Salt Rock Nature Trail provides glimpses of Little Cayman's natural habitat.