Your full Wanderlust guide to
Cayman Islands
A dazzling selection of luxury beachside resorts has made the Cayman Islands a dream destination for the world’s wealthiest people. But underneath the glitz and glamour is an island-nation blessed with first-rate diving sites, thriving wildlife and stunning natural rock formations.
The Cayman Islands consists of three islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The commercialised Grand Cayman is best known for its gourmet restaurants, shopping and resorts. The majority of the exclusive resorts are dotted along Seven Mile Beach – a long crescent of coral-sand beach.
Little Cayman – Grand Cayman’s charming little sister- tempts visitors to her silky shores with superb diving sites along Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Wall. Cayman Brac has the most varied landscape in the region with ancient coral limestone cliff and caves to the east and excellent bird watching and hiking opportunities.
With clear visibility, warm sea temperatures, a selection of deep and shallow dives and great wall diving, it makes sense to spend as much time as possible drifting above the Cayman’s colourful coral reefs.
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Dive into the waters of Little Cayman to explore the buzzing aquatic life of Bloody Bay Marine Park.Explore the caves carved into Cayman Brac’s limestone bluffs.
Climb ladders up to Great Cave on the south shore of East End for remarkable rock formations.
Enjoy the best above-sea-level and below-sea-level sights by signing up for a boat trip around the three islands.
Visit the Booby Pond Nature Reserve on Little Cayman Island. The salt-water lagoon is home to rare red-footed booby and the spectacular frigate.
Shop until you drop in one of the glitzy shopping centres on Grand Cayman Island. Then pamper yourself at a five-star hotel on the white-sand Seven Mile Beach.
When to go
The peak season falls between mid-December and mid-April. The shoulder season from late November to mid-December and late April to early May enjoys good weather and is less crowded. Rainfall is highest from mid-May through to October, with frequent afternoon showers that clear as quickly as they arrive.
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from modest dive lodges to five-star resorts. If you don’t want top-flight luxury (of which there is plenty on offer) then the best accommodation is in small independent hotels. These often have brightly coloured rooms with superb gardens and very friendly staff. Lodgings on Little Cayman range from cosy island hideaways to larger resorts. Most accommodation options will take care of your diving needs.
Food and drink
The resorts on Little Cayman Island are so well known for their exceptional chefs many guests visit solely for the food. Make sure you try traditional Cayman fare in the form of turtle and conch – if you like the idea of your food coming out of a shell. Plantain (a starchy relative of the banana) is popular in the Caymans and delicious in the form of a crisp. If a meal is described as ‘Cayman Style’ this traditionally means with peppers, onions and tomato.
Health and safety
The Cayman Islands are generally safe and friendly – why else would the rich call it home? No inoculations are needed and desalination plants provide the islands with excellent drinking water.
