A SPOTLIGHT ON CAYMAN ISLANDS

A SPOTLIGHT ON

CAYMAN

I S L A N D S

They say that good things come in threes, and that’s certainly true of the Cayman Islands, a triumvirate of contrasting and complementary Caribbean gems. The islands are famous for their endless beaches and dazzling coral reefs, with an incredible 365 dive sites - one for every day of the year! Visitors are often surprised to learn that nearly half the population are from somewhere else, with over 130 nationalities represented, giving the islands a cosmopolitan feel that is unrivalled in the Caribbean. This is reflected in the fantastic culinary scene, with everything from laid-back beach shacks to the finest of fine dining on offer.

Grand Cayman is easily the largest of the islands, and this is where you’ll find the glitziest resorts and restaurants, strung along the sweeping sands of Seven Mile Beach. Quieter beaches include Spotts Beach, where you can swim with sea turtles, and Smith’s Barcadere, a great spot for snorkelling close to the capital, George Town. British Airways flies direct to Grand Cayman up to four times a week from London Heathrow.

Indeed the islands attract snorkellers and divers

from all over the world, thanks to fantastic visibility and strict regulations in place to protect the local reefs. Even if you’re not a confident snorkeller you can still enjoy the amazing Stingray City, Grand Cayman’s most famous tourist attraction, where you can swim safely amongst southern Atlantic stingrays in just three feet of water. Other waterbased activities on offer include kite surfing, sailing and kayaking around the North Side’s amazing bioluminescent bay.

Many visitors don’t venture any further than Grand Cayman, but those who make the short hop to sister island Little Cayman, where the iguanas outnumber the people, will find a quieter, more secluded vibe. Little Cayman is home to the famous Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park, one of the world’s most celebrated scuba sites, with a 5,000foot drop-off and a veritable aquarium of sharks, stingrays, tropical fish and turtles.

A little further to the east is Cayman Brac, the most authentically Caymanian of the islands, with a laid back, local sort of feel. The island rises to form the only hill of any note in the Cayman Islands, and a hike through the lush forests of the interior gives you the opportunity to spot parrots, brown boobies and peregrine falcons.