Cayman Islands Things To Do

The sea turtles on Grand Cayman are on to something. They understand that tropical island breezes, crystalline waters, and white sands call for a certain slowing down. Take off your wristwatch, unplug your cell phone, and figure out the time of day by the slant of the sun, the progression of the tides, and the interval between each rum-laced, umbrella-adorned cocktail you order from the bar.

Great for: diving & snorkeling, beaches, action fishing, golf and banking
Location: Western Caribbean Sea, part of British Overseas Territory
Population: 35,000
Size: 100 sq miles
Capital city: George Town, Grand Cayman
Airport: Owen Roberts Airport, Grand Cayman, GMC
Language: English
Currency: Cayman Islands dollar (CI$ or KYD) - check exchange rate
Time zone: EST is in effect year round, daylight saving time is not observed
Area code: 345

Did you know?
The Cayman Islands consists of Grand Cayman, smaller Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, but almost all of the Cayman Islands' population of 32,000 lives on Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands, has become a premier tourist destination in recent years. With more than 500 banks, its capital, George Town, is the offshore banking center of the Caribbean.

Enjoy the beach! Cayman's beaches are considered to be among the best in the world. The favorite is Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. The abundance of fish, marine life and spectacular coral reefs, which can be found in the surrounding waters, make the Cayman Islands ideal for diving enthusiasts. There are over 250 dive sites to choose from. Cayman Brac, northeast of Grand Cayman, is dotted with fascinating caves and dozens of wrecks for divers to explore. It provided the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel Treasure Island.

Don't forget to get in touch with your inner mermaid (or merman) in the warm Caribbean Sea. Make an excursion to otherworldly Stingray City, where the snorkel or diving mask reveals harmless creatures who seem to flap their wings below the waves. Go windsurfing along Seven Mile Beach, or check out reefs from a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible submarine. The possibilities for relaxation are endless.

Beaches

Nature & Wildlife

Diving & Snorkeling

Landmarks

Cayman Islands Beaches:

Seven Mile Beach - Grand Cayman's west coast is where you'll find the famous Seven Mile Beach and its expanses of powdery white sand. The beach is litter-free and sans peddlers, so you can relax in an unspoiled, hassle-free atmosphere. This is Grand Cayman's busiest vacation center. You'll also find headquarters for the island's aquatic activities here.

Smith's Cove - Off South Church Street and south of the Grand Old House, this is a popular local bathing spot on weekends.

East End -The best windsurfing is just off these beaches at Colliers, by Morritt's Tortuga Club.

Cayman Kai, Rum Point and Water Cay - These isolated and unspoiled beaches are the favored hideaways for residents and visitors "in the know."

Nature & Wildlife in the Cayman Islands:

Cayman Turtle Farm - This is the only green sea-turtle farm of its kind in the world. Once a multitude of turtles swam in the surrounding waters of the islands, but today these creatures are few in number practically extinct elsewhere in the Caribbean and the green sea turtle has been designated an endangered species. This government-run operation raises green turtles for purposes of increasing their population in the wild as well as to provide the local market with edible turtle meat. The facility constantly replenishes the local waters with hatchling and yearling turtles. Visitors are welcome to look at 100 circular concrete tanks in which the sea creatures can be observed in every stage of development. The hope is that one day their population in the sea will regain its former status. Turtles here range in size from 6 ounces to 600 pounds.

Grand Cayman's Q. E. II Botanic Park - On 60 acres of rugged wooded land off Frank Sound Road, North Side, the park offers visitors a 1 hour walk through wetland, swamp, dry thicket, mahogany trees, orchids, and bromeliads. The trail is eight-tenths of a mile long. Along it are seen chickatees, the freshwater turtles found only on the Caymans and in Cuba. Also seen in the area are the rare Grand Cayman parrot, the anole lizard, with its cobalt-blue throat pouch, and the even rarer endangered blue iguana. There are six rest stations with visitor information along the trail.

There is a visitor center with changing exhibitions, and a canteen for food and refreshments. The trail is located within the botanic park adjacent to the woodland trail and includes a heritage garden with a re-creation of a traditional Cayman home, garden, and farm; a floral garden with 1 1/2 acres of flowering plants; and a 2-acre lake with three islands, which is home to many native birds.

The Floral Garden is the Botanic Park's most ambitious project, a horticultural triumph on this very selectively fertile limestone island. Visitors stroll through a multicolored mosaic of hundreds of species of tropical and sub tropical plants spread over approximately 2.5 acres. Flowering plants and shrubs, succulents and cacti are arranged by color in nine distinct displays. The centerpiece of the Floral Garden is an ornate white wooden gazebo atop a rise, overlooking ponds filled with water lilies and the nearby two-acre lake, a prime habitat for a variety of resident and migratory bird life, and a perfect wedding location! Visitors can relax in the shade of the gazebo and enjoy a view of a waterfall cascading off an elevated freshwater pond filled with water lilies. The pavilion also offers an excellent view of the lake.

Diving & Snorkeling in the Cayman Islands:

Pristine water, breathtaking coral formations, and plentiful and exotic marine life mark the Great Wall, a world-renowned dive site. Many top-notch dive operations offer a variety of services, instruction, and equipment. A must-see for adventurous souls is Stingray City, noted as the best 12-ft dive in the world. Trinity Caves and Orange Canyon are typical Grand Cayman dives. They are not too strenuous, are easily accessible, and are full of marine life.

The best shore-entry snorkeling spots are south of George Town, at Eden Rock and Parrot's Landing, north of town, at the reef just off the West Bay Cemetery on Grand Cayman's west coast; and in the reef-protected shallows of the island's north and south coasts.

Divers are required to be certified and possess a "C" card. Otherwise they can take a full certification course.

Cayman Islands Landmarks:

Pedro St. James National Historic Site - This restored great house dates from 1780 when only 400 people lived on the island. It survived the island hurricanes, but was destroyed by fire in 1970. It has been authentically restored as the centerpiece of a new heritage park with a visitor center and an audio-visual theater with a laser light show. Over the years the property was called a castle and then a fortress and legends sprang up as to its history. Actually, there never was a Spanish-built castle, or any proof that pirates ever came ashore at Pedro, much less built a fortress here. These were 20th century fabrications combining local folktales and the stories created by an American-born adventurer turned entrepreneur, Tom Hubbell, who owned the site from 1954 until his death in 1977. In the 1960's, Hubbell renovated the long-abandoned stone ruins, originally planning a small guesthouse and bar. He chiseled the date "1631" into the top of the building's entrance, added jagged crenellations along the top level and promoted it as a fortress once inhabited by Captain Morgan and other pirates. (Savannah, Grand Cayman)

• U.S. citizens must have a valid passport.
  
• Beginning in December 31, 2005, a passport will be required to enter or re-enter the United States.
• Non-U.S. citizens, please contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country to which you are traveling to determine your entry/visa requirements.
• All visitors must have a round-trip or ongoing ticket. There is a US$12.50 departure tax (often included in the price of your ticket).
• Keep the pink Immigration slip given to you upon arrival and be prepared to present it when departing.
• Passport, visa and travel advisory information may be found at the U.S. Department of State's Cayman Islands pages. Although most travel to international destinations is completed without incident, Caribbean-TravelDeals.com urges passengers to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories prior to booking.