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Cayman Islands

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Cayman Islands - Stingray City Dive

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are nestled in the calm, turquoise waters of the western Caribbean about 400 miles or one hour south of Miami. They consist of the three islands Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The clear waters surrounding the Cayman Islands have established their reputation as having some of the greatest diving and snorkeling in the world. Two shipwrecks off the shores of Cayman Brac are particularly interesting for divers and snorkelers enjoy swimming with stingrays. Some other attractions include the world-famous Seven Mile Beach, the rugged Mastic Trail, Brac's Parrot Reserve Nature Trail and the Pedro St. James Castle in BoddenTown. The Cayman Islands are a paradise for those who want to spend their honeymoon wall diving, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, bird watching and/or kayaking along the mangrove coast.

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Highlights
  • Turtle Farm - See 16,000 sea turtles, some as small as 6 ounces, some as big as 600 pounds!
  • Stingray City - Swim alongside and feed swarming stingrays in 12 feet of water. A snorkeling and scuba diving adventure
  • Cayman Islands National Museum - Make the Cayman Islands National Museum the first stop on your tour of Grand Cayman and begin to see the real Cayman
  • Grand Cayman's Q. E. II Botanic Park - The Visitors Centre, Heritage Garden and Floral Garden are spectacular additions
  • Pedro St. James Historic Site - Historically accurate reconstruction of original 1780 Great House is a spectacular showpiece for the Birthplace of Democracy
Geography/Environment
The island country consists of Grand Cayman, largest and most heavily populated of the three; 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 sport fishing.

Activities
The diving and snorkeling are spectacular and there are over 40 dive operations in Grand Cayman; 5 in Little Cayman and 3 in Cayman Brac and 2 live aboard dive boats, the Cayman Aggressor IV and Little Cayman Diver II. However, there's more to a honeymoon than just diving and snorkeling. There are many other activities to do in the Cayman Islands, such as: glass bottom boat trips; parasailing, water-skiing, ocean kayaking; small sailboats; replica pirate sailing vessel and tall ship offering themed and other cruises; sunset cocktail, dinner and daytime snorkeling cruises; waverunners and a variety of "beach/ water toys" for rent at hotels along Seven Mile Beach.
Climate and Weather
Grand Cayman is very warm in the summer (May to October) when the daily high reaches 85ºF (29ºC). This is also the rainy season but the showers are brief. Winter (November to April) is drier and cooler, with average daily highs of 75ºF (24ºC). Given that mid-December to mid-April (winter) is the peak tourist season, when rates are substantially higher and beaches and lodgings more crowded, it's best to go in the summer. There is more rain, but it tends to come in downpours that clear as quickly as they arrive.
Other Important Information
More Cayman Islands resources at Amazon.com.
Destination Wedding Information
Adminstrative Fee: U.S. $200
  • Cayman Islands international embarkation/disembarkation card
  • Passport or birth certificate
  • Proof of divorce or death certificate
  • Letter from authorized Marriage Officer
  • Non-residents must obtain a marriage license from the Chief Secretary's Office
  • Two witnesses present at the ceremony
  • Produce a Cayman Islands International Immigration Department Pink Slip showing proof of entry. Cruise passengers may present their ship boarding pass to demonstrate they are legally in port.
Cayman Islands Reviews
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Grand Cayman
by Kim Eddy last updated on 03/30/2009
The Cayman Islands are one of my favorite places to visit. These islands offer some of the most beautiful, calm waters I have ever seen . . . from the white sand beaches to the beautiful blue water to the pastel skies. Grand Cayman also has wonderful...