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The Cayman Islands: Slow Down, Mon! You Move Too Fast!

The Cayman Islands, located just west of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the West Indies. A trip to the Caymans can be as active, or inactive, as the visitor so chooses. Daily activities in the Caymans include scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking, jet skiing, parasailing, and just lying in the sun listening to the Caribbean waves lap against the shore. Bring plenty of sunscreen; and be sure to break for iguanas!

Grand Cayman is the tourism center of the Cayman Islands. Spread out over 78 square miles, you are no more than an hour from any point on the island. Each week thousands of cruise ships arrive in the port of George Town, the commerce capital of the Caymans. Downtown George Town is a bargain hunter's paradise. Duty free shops sell everything from fine art to Cuban cigars.

Beach lovers will make their way to Seven Mile Beach, located just north of George Town. This wide, powder-soft white-sand beach is one of the most famous in all the Caribbean. The waters off the coast are generally calm, making for excellent swimming and tanning time. Kids will get a kick out of the Cayman Turtle Farm, located just north of Seven Mile Beach. This nature preserve details the history of native turtles, and allows visitors to hold some of the younger species.

The number one tourism activity in the Cayman Islands is scuba diving. This sport has made the Caymans a popular vacation destination since the 1960s. No fewer than 40 dive charters are for hire on Grand Cayman alone. One of the most popular dives in the entire world is Stingray City, located just off the northern tip of the island. Called "the best 12-foot dive in the world," Stingray City offers divers and snorkelers the opportunity to mingle with stingrays on a "touchy feely" basis. The friendly rays will let you pet them and even take food from your hand, all in complete safety.

Little Cayman, the smallest and least populated of the Cayman Islands, sits approximately 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman. Not as frenetic as Grand Cayman, Little Cayman still has one of the most popular dive sites in the Caribbean in Bloody Bay Wall. The reef wall here starts in 20 feet of water, and extends down 6,000 feet to the ocean floor. This aquatic park features an abundance of marine life, including elephant ear sponges, forests of sea fans, and reef fish of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Bloody Bay also has spectacular deep-sea fishing, especially if you are angling for tarpon or bonefish.

Beach lovers will want to visit Sandy Point Beach, located on the eastern tip of Little Cayman. This isolated patch of powder is well worth the effort it takes to reach it. Owen Island, a rowboat ride away from the south shore, is a great spot for packing a picnic and getting away from it all.

Bird watching is also a popular pastime on Little Cayman thanks to The Booby Pond Nature Preserve, which houses the largest colony of red-footed boobies in the Western Hemisphere. This 203-acre bird sanctuary has over 5000 pairs of these reclusive birds.

Cayman Brac (called "the Brac" by locals), the eastern most of the Cayman islands is known for its secluded, laid back atmosphere, and for the friendliness of the local citizens. A brief request for directions can turn into an all-day conversation. Cayman Brac is where you go to escape the more frenzied atmosphere of Grand Cayman. Hikers will appreciate the opportunity to traverse one of the many trails that run throughout the island. The paths generally wind their way along the bluff ("brac" in Gaelic, hence the name of the island) that bisects the island down the center. Once atop the bluff, hikers are rewarded with splendid views of the Caribbean and nearby Little Cayman Island.

Cayman Brac also offers some excellent dive and snorkeling sites. Most of the more famous spots are a 20 minute boat ride from shore. An interesting dive takes visitors to the wreck of the Russian Destroyer, M/V Capt. Keith Tibbetts, which sunk offshore in 1996.

The Cayman Islands offer more than just a dive vacation. The Caymans are the place to go to rest your spirit, soak up some sun, and view up close and personal the majesty of Mother Nature's fabulous creativity. The Caymans have a different tempo. Grand Cayman is more vibrant, on the edge. The sister islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are more relaxed, and offer some great escapist opportunities. The attitudes of the locals are friendly and inviting. Iguanas have the right of way, and turtles are held in high esteem. The choice of your Cayman getaway can be based on how active, or inactive you choose to be. Oh, what a wonderful choice to have!