Travel Guide to Cayman Islands

Although a British Colony, the atmosphere of Grand Cayman is more like that of the Florida coast than a true Caribbean Island. There is a great range of accommodation from simple hotels to the best 5 stars – try the Ritz Carlton for the ultimate 5 star luxury. Some of the best treasures lie under the water. Cayman has some of the best snorkelling and scuba in the Caribbean.

Location

Found in the calm, turquoise waters of the western Caribbean, the peaceful British Overseas Territory known as the Cayman Islands consists of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.

Shopping

What could be more exciting than spending a day shopping under a warm sun with a gentle breeze from the nearby ocean carrying you from shop to shop? Whether you are looking for dazzling jewellery, beautiful local arts and crafts or designer clothes, you will be pleased with the quality and selection our stores have to offer you.

In Grand Cayman you never have to go far to shop. In addition to the shops in town, there are many small malls which have restaurants, liquor and gift shops including the new Grand Harbour Centre.

Cayman is a duty-free destination which means many exciting opportunities for you to save on such things as watches, china and crystal, perfumes and fine jewellery--including authentic treasure coin jewellery--on Grand Cayman and at a few stores on Cayman Brac. Prices on perfume, watches and select luxury items may be as much as 30% less expensive here.

In addition to traditional duty free selections, varied and interesting shopping--from chic European fashions to outstanding local art--delights visitors in speciality stores, hotel boutiques and shopping plazas.

Geography

The island country consists of Grand Cayman, largest and most populous of the trio; and the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which lie approximately 89 miles east-northeast of Grand Cayman and are separated from each other by a channel about seven miles wide.

The total land mass of the three islands is 100 square miles. Grand Cayman occupies 76 square miles; Cayman Brac, 14 square miles and Little Cayman, 10 square miles. Grand Cayman is approximately 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point, reaching a maximum elevation at East End of 60 ft.

Cayman Brac is 12 miles long and just over a mile wide and has the most dramatic topography of the trio. Its majestic Bluff rises west to east along the length of the island to 140 feet at the eastern tip, ending in a sheer cliff. Many mysterious caves are carved throughout this awe-inspiring natural attraction.

Little Cayman, only 10 miles long and a mile wide, is flat, reaching a maximum elevation of 40 ft. Its famous Bloody Bay wall Marine Park has been called one of the world’s best dive sites. Inland, the 203 - acre Booby Pond Nature Reserve is a RAMSAR site and nesting ground for the Caribbean’s largest population of Red Footed Boobies.

The three islands 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

History

Columbus discovered Little Cayman and Cayman Brac during his fourth and last voyage to the New World, on May 10, 1503. While sailing from Panama to Hispaniola, severe winds pushed his ships off course west. The ship’s log reported "... we were in sight of two very small islands, full of tortoise, as was the sea about, inasmuch as they looked like little rocks." Consequently, Columbus named the islands Las Tortugas after the abundant sea turtles sighted.

The islands were later named Lagartos, meaning alligator or large lizard and finally, the name Caymanas was applied around 1540, derived from the Carib word for marine crocodile. This name in a modified form remained since the late 16th century.Sir Francis Drake visited the islands during a voyage between 1585-86. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the islands were replenishment centres supplying abundant fresh water and food. They came under British control in 1655 when Jamaica was captured from the Spanish by Oliver Cromwell’s army.

Legends of Cayman’s occupation by pirates during the 18th century, including treasure caches left behind by Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, Neal Walker (in Little Cayman) and Henry Morgan, continue to be a romantic but historically questionable part of the folklore of this Western Caribbean country.

One of the most colourful historic legends, The Wreck of The Ten Sails, was recently "rewritten" in an accurate account uncovered through detailed research by Dr. Margaret Leshikar Denton.

On February 8, 1794, not November 1788 as long thought, 10 merchant vessels went aground in rough seas off Grand Cayman’s East End, led by the HMS Convert. Contrary to an enduring popular legend, the convoy did not carry Prince William, the future King William IV, or any member of the Royal family, whose courageous rescue by Caymanians was attributed with the granting of the Cayman’s freedom from taxation by King George III.

When Jamaica attained independence in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain tied to Britain as a British Crown Colony. In 1971, the Islands received their first Governor and the present constitution was adopted in 1972 and its most recent amendments were adopted in February 1994.

Today, tourism and the international financial industry form the basis of Cayman’s strong economy and prosperity. The Cayman Islands is recognized as the "birthplace" of the modern sport of recreational scuba diving in 1957, when the legendary Bob Soto opened the Caribbean’s first dive shop on Grand Cayman.

The country’s successful offshore financial industry dates back to 1966 when the first banking and trust laws were passed, laying the foundation for the modern banking and financial services industry which exists today.

Climate

The Caymans climate is tropical. In January, temperatures range from 73 to 81; in July, norms range from 80 to 88. The Cayman Islands’ rainy season runs from May to November, and annual rainfall is about 46 inches. Don’t be afraid to visit during the rainy season, though; unlike the sustained afternoon thunderstorms of Miami and other tropical locations, Cayman rain showers are short, sporadic, and won’t impede holiday fun.

Basic Information

Language

English is the official language

Currency

The Cayman Islands Dollar is the official currency but US dollars are widely accepted.

Electricity

110V,

Banks

Regular banking hours are 9: 00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Driving

Driving is on the right-hand side

Time difference

GMT - 5 hours.

Tipping and local customs

Because many of the guests are American, tipping is widely accepted and expected in restaurants and bars. 10% is the norm.

Water

Bottled mineral water is widely available in all stores but all water on the islands is drinkable.

Tourist Board information

www.caymanislands.co.uk

Visas

Visas are not required by Irish passport holders. Passport must be valid for at least six months.

What makes it so special ?

A lot of the outstanding attractions of Cayman lie on or under the water but you don’t have to be a diver to enjoy it. You can snorkel, scuba dive or take a submarine trip to see the attractive underwater sights. There is also excellent sailing and fishing.

There are superb beaches particularly Seven Mile Beach

Excellent duty free shopping can be found on Seven Mile Beach and in other shopping malls dotted round the island. There is also a good night life and good restaurants to choose from.

Where to visit?

It is well worth taking the time to visit the sister islands, either in a one day trip or perhaps go for a couple of nights. It is also worth hiring a car and driving round the island. You can take in a number of attractions

Most Popular Tours

Sting Ray City

Air trips to Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman

Submarine tours