The Cayman Islands
Map provided by www.worldatlas.com
The Cayman Islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are limestone outcroppings, the tops of a submarine mountain range called the Cayman Ridge, which extends west southwest for the Sierra Maestra range off the southeast part of Cuba to the Misteriosa Bank near Belize. The islands lack rivers or streams because of the porous nature of the limestone rock. It is this lack of runoff which gives the surrounding Caribbean Sea exceptional visibility, often well over 120 ft.
Between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica lies the deepest part of the Caribbean, the Cayman Trough, which is over four miles deep. South of Cayman is the Bartlett Deep where depths of over 18,000 ft. have been recorded. All three islands are surrounded by healthy coral reefs which lie at the top of dramatic walls and drop-offs close to shore, creating ideal conditions for diving and sportfishing.
No wonder they have long been lauded by scuba divers. Only a few metres from shore, the sea bed, which had been ten metres below you, suddenly disappears into the blue - five kilometres deep. On these sheer walls you can explore canyons and gulleys, and check out the excellent marine life.
This is as good as it gets in the Caribbean. Huge plummeting walls, wrecks, lots of sponges, good fish life and watch out for the occasional manta ray. You can explore caves and swim-throughs, swim in vast clouds of tarpon, and hand feed stingrays. Stingray City, on the north shore of Grand Cayman, is well worth the visit - its probably the best four-metre dive you’ll ever do.
Grand Cayman is the largest - about 22 miles long and 8 miles wide. It is also the most developed and a brilliant place for a holiday whether you are a diver or not. Seven Mile Beach must be one of the best in the world - white powdery sand and turquoise clear sea. There are plenty of places to stay and eat at prices to suit every pocket and there is fantastic duty free shopping for those who enjoy that. Other attractions are a trip to Hell (don't forget to send a postcard!) and the Turtle Farm. There are countless dive sites of every type all around the island. The shore diving - often overlooked - is absolutely excellent - and of course very cheap.
Cayman Brac is 12 miles long and 1 mile wide and has dramatic scenery with many caves. A more sleepy place than its brother, this is an ideal location for a chilled beach break. Diving is the big attraction of course. The newest site for divers is the wreck of the 330 ft. M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian built Cuban naval frigate which was sunk off the island's northwest coast in September 1996. It is already the home for a variety of marine life. There are two other small wrecks off the Brac's coast.
Ashore, attractions include the Cayman Brac Museum at Stake Bay, a variety of dramatic caves; such as Rebecca's Cave, Peter's Cave and Skull Cave; nature trails; exploring the bluff and ironshore beneath it at the eastern tip; small, charming homes restored in traditional seafaring architectural styles - and the delightful people of this unusual community are its main attractions.
Little Cayman is only ten miles long and one mile wide. It's marine park around Bloody Bay Wall has been called one of the world's best dives. Little Cayman is a place where you can find utter peace and seclusion - deserted beaches, empty coves.
The Cayman's have it all in terms of diving and must rank as one of the world's best diving destinations, let alone the Caribbean.
Getting There:
You can fly direct to Grand Cayman with British Airways four times a week (stops in Nassau en route). You can also fly to Grand Cayman from numerous U.S. Gateways. Cayman Airways and Island Air operate regular flights from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
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Scenically, the islands are not the prettiest. Do not expect luxuriant tropical scenery and you won't be disappointed. Despite their British heritage, they are very americanised and Grand Cayman in particular resembles Florida more than anything else. Divers on a budget should look for hotels that offer diving packages and remember that shore diving is available to many sites. Great all round destination for the family too.
Stingray City
Great Family Diving on Grand Cayman - Alison Boler
Divetech Ltd.
Rodale's Scuba Diving Cayman
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