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Cayman Islands
With three diverse island experiences to choose from, year-round visibility
averaging 100’, and an unbelievable array of marine life, the
Cayman Islands are a true diver’s delight. The Cayman Islands
lie in the center of the Caribbean Sea, 495 miles due south of Miami,
and 1220 miles southeast of Houston. Far from any large land mass,
they exist alone and away from the turbulence of winter storms or
daily rain. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman area actually
the tips of a mammoth undersea mountain; the water surrounding them
ranges in depth from 6000-12000 feet.
Just a few miles south is the renowned Cayman Trench, the deepest
part of the Caribbean, reaching an incredible depth of 24,576 feet.
Lying closer to shore and surrounding these islands, between the shallow
coral reef shelf and the alluring deep blue abyss, is the dropoff or the
wall. All three islands have their own unique dropoffs and it is this
exhilarating formation that has made the Cayman Islands a legend.
Diving Highlights
Cayman’s deep, vertical walls and stunning water clarity are still
the gold standard for Caribbean diving. And a visit to world-renowned
Stingray City is a must. Visibility averages 100’ year-round, with
summer peaks of 200’ and occasional drops to 80’ in winter.
Weather
The rainy season, generally from mid-May through
October, moves into the dry season from November to April. It is
not unusual to have brief afternoon showers during the summer.
Average Temperatures
Air - Day: 82° F Night: 70° F
Water - 77° - 82° F
Time
The Cayman Islands are on Atlantic Standard Time, 1 hour ahead of Eastern
Standard Time in the United States. The Islands do not observe daylight saving
time, so when the United States changes to daylight saving time, the time in the
Caymans and the east coast of the U.S. is the same.
Water Quality
The water is of good quality and safe to drink.
Culture and Customs
The culture of the Cayman Islands is a blend of American, British and West Indian
traditions. Preserving the traditions and art forms unique to the Caymans is
becoming an increased focus in the islands. There are many new venues and events
dedicated to the arts including “Cayfest,” an annual arts festival held every April
to showcase local artists and traditions. Another widely popular event is the Pirates
Week Festival (held in October) which celebrates the island's swashbuckling history
and is the largest annual festival. The Batabano Carnival is an annual 4-day carnival
held near Easter, including a parade, singing, dancing and plenty of Caribbean food.
The Cayman Jazz Fest and Food & Wine Festivals also draw large crowds.
Population: Approx. 58,000
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the islands (76 square miles) with a population
of 16,400 residents. There are excellent duty-free shopping opportunities,
diverse nightclubs, 68 restaurants, 45 hotels and condominiums and
21 dive operators. It is this enormous surface variety plus excellent
diving that has resulted in Grand Cayman becoming the world’s
most often visited scuba diving destination.
Grand Cayman epitomizes the energy and spirit of the Cayman Islands. Famed
seven-mile beach is a bustling stretch of island activity, including
shopping, nightclubs, fine dining and plenty of diving opportunities.
Plus, the world-renowned Stingray City is right in the middle of
the action. Grand Cayman is a cosmopolitan resort island that handles
the bulk of diving tourists, and divers can choose from shallow
reefs, deep walls, coral grottoes and a handful of wrecks.
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Cayman Brac
On Cayman Brac, one can truly escape the craziness of the real world
and enjoy that rarely found vacation ingredient: relaxation. The
island remains as slow as the sea turtles that sunned on its shores
when Columbus discovered the island in 1503.
Cayman Brac, only 12 miles long and one mile wide with a population
of 1700 people, lies some 70 miles northeast of Grand Cayman. Its
out-island location has resulted in the Brac being relatively untouched
by the tourism boom normally associated with Grand Cayman.
The Brac is surrounded by coral reefs and superb dropoffs and supports
two resorts. It’s also home to the only diveable Russian warship
in the Western Hemisphere. The Brac has a feeling all its own; a
unique feeling of friendliness and beauty. You'll be reluctant to
leave.
Little Cayman
Little Cayman offers the most colossal and exhilarating diving found
anywhere in the Caymans. It is rated by most to be among the very
best in the whole Caribbean.
Little Cayman, just seven miles from the Brac, is the smallest
of all the Cayman Islands. Only nine miles long and one mile wide,
the island population consists of only 40 residents. Little Cayman
is another sleepy outpost with only a handful of dive lodges and
vertical wall diving that starts in a beginner-friendly 20 feet
of water.
Diving and Watersports
Great wall diving just minutes from shore. Divers and snorkelers
mingle with stingrays, and there's ample opportunity for modern
wreck diving. Good fishing, too.
Adventure and Sightseeing
Try out a Cayman golf course. Take a glass bottom boat ride, hike,
check out the blowholes, or visit the turtle farm. Seven- Mile Beach
is beautiful, as are many beaches in secluded coves on all three
islands.
Shopping and Nightlife
Shopping is truly a luxury on Grand Cayman, with elegant shops offering
fine merchandise at seemingly unreasonable discounts. You'll find
abundant international shopping, strong nightlife at the hotels
and a few bars.
Passport Requirements
A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining is required.
No Visas are required for U.S. and Canadian citizens. The departure tax
when leaving Cayman is US $12.50.
Electricity, Telephone and Internet Access
Electrical current is 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American style two-pin plugs are
standard. Modern telephone service is available 24 hours daily on all three
islands. There are many Cyber Cafés now available in the Cayman Islands,
and many hotels have computers with internet service available for guests.
Language & Currency
English is the official language. The local currency, the Cayman Islands
dollar, is equivalent to US $1.25. American currency is generally accepted
as are major credit cards.
Location and Size
Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands, lies in the far Western
Caribbean, 480 miles south of Miami and occupies 76 square miles. The sister
islands of Cayman Brac (14 square miles) and Little Cayman (10 square miles)
are 89 miles to the northeast of Grand Cayman. 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. 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.
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