You can easily mistake the Cayman Islands for paradise. And no one can blame you for the confusion! Fringed by breathtaking powdery beaches and blessed with some of the best scuba diving spots in the world, the Cayman Islands embody the concept of paradise on Earth. A trip to the Cayman Islands demands an absolute disconnection from everything mundane and utter dedication and reverence to nature. Because a few places in the world are as gifted and beautiful as the Cayman Islands.
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Cayman Islands are part of the British Overseas Territories and currently house around 50,000 people, many British expats who have fulfilled their dream of finding a job in paradise. The archipelago includes three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, one more beautiful than the other and all spectacular!
Sunbathe on surreal beaches
A land of sand and sun, the Cayman Islands’ beaches are simply sublime. One of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the Cayman Islands is undoubtedly the splendid Seven Mile Beach. Despite its growing popularity and luxury resorts, the beach has kept its idyllic charm and stands out among the superb beaches of the Cayman Islands. The turquoise water caresses the impossibly white sand and creates a corner of paradise for sun worshippers of all ages.
All beaches in the Cayman Islands are free to access up to the high water mark, but if you want to use loungers or be lazy on the beaches of bars and restaurants, you should be prepared to pay a fee. If you prefer to escape the crowds, the Little Cayman has the perfect ribbons of sand for you. Throw your towel on the beach at the Sandy Point, on the east coast, or the Point of Sand, at the southeastern tip of the island.
Explore the fabulous underwater universe
If you find the strength to leave your sun lounger for a few hours and dive into the crystal clear waters of the Cayman Islands, you’ll discover a surreal aquatic universe. One of the top diving sites in the world, the Cayman Islands’ underwater world houses spectacular coral reefs, intriguing caverns and grottos, as well as sunken shipwrecks and majestic underwater walls. You’ll be swimming with turtles, stingrays, and an abundance of colorful tropical fish.
For an unforgettable reef diving experience, plan a trip to Kittiwake. This impressive 77 m-vessel that was once a submarine rescue vessel was deliberately sunken in 2011 to create a magical diving experience for tourists. Little Cayman’s Bloody Bay Wall is an excellent destination for diving, as are the sites near the Cayman Brac, where you’ll find a sunken Russian warship. For exciting snorkeling adventures, visit the Stingray City on Grand Cayman where, you’ve probably guessed it, you’ll get to discover a beautiful community of stingrays quite friendly and used to having guests.
Enjoy a trip to Hell and back
Like any other self-respecting paradise, the Cayman Islands have their own Hell. And, as long as you can be sure you’ll be coming back, why not enjoy a trip to Hell? Hell awaits on the island of Grand Cayman and welcomes visitors into a spectacular world of peculiar rock formations created from shells and corals solidified by salt and lime deposits.
While you can’t actually walk among the rock formations, you can admire this unsettling and hypnotizing view from a small platform. If you want to send a postcard from Hell to your people back home, visit the on-site post office. It might sound too touristy and a bit tacky, but who can say no to a visit to Hell?
Connect with nature
Visit the Booby Pond Nature Reserve on Little Cayman to discover one of the largest red-footed booby colony in the world. They enjoy a cozy home on a salt-water lagoon and share it with beautiful frigate birds. For a chance to spot the endangered Cayman Brac parrot, plan a trip to the Parrot Reserve on the island of Brac. If you’re a fan of reptiles, you’ll also love a tour of the Sister Islands, home to the endangered Rock Iguana.
Don’t leave the island of Cayman Brac without visiting its myriad of caves, superb natural creations and shelter for islanders when the hurricanes decide to strike. One of the most photogenic caves is the Bat Cave, so make sure you have your camera with you. If you’re up for a hiking adventure, follow the Grand Cayman’s Mastic Trail that links Frank Sound to Old Many Bay. An 18-the century route, the trail creates opportunities to discover the local flora and fauna.
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