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Information on The Cayman Islands

Located in the central Caribbean, about halfway between Cuba and Honduras (South America), the Cayman Islands consist of three islands that offer world-class scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing with an interesting history to boot. The main and largest island, Grand Cayman, is loaded with resorts and condos.

Lying in the southwestern corner of Grand Cayman, the capital, Georgetown, is reminiscent of a typical North American town until you notice the glorious seaside setting. A historic walking tour takes in the ruins of the 18th century Fort George and the Cayman Islands National Museum. Situated in the towns oldest building, the museum covers the island’s human and natural history.

The oldest building in the Caymans, 18th century Pedro St James Castle, is today a museum, but has also been a jail, courthouse and even the parliament building. This is where the decision to vote for elected representatives was made and thus is the birthplace of democracy in the Caymans. The splendid gardens are also worth a tour.

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is beautiful and boasts 300 native species, including iguanas and parrots, and there is a long, well-marked trail that is easy to navigate winding its way through the lush vegetation. The orchids are in bloom throughout June.

Hell is situated in the northwestern of Grand Cayman in the form of jagged black rock formations, about which a local official exclaimed, “This is what Hell must look like”. The unique Cayman Turtle Farm is nearby and helps to increase these creatures’ numbers in the wild.

The smallest island of the three-island chain is laid-back Little Cayman. The resident population here is very small and locals are often outnumbered by the masses of scuba divers. Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Point are the island’s best dive spots, while the northwestern coast is a haven for birds. The Booby Pond Nature Reserve is home to a huge population of red-footed boobies, and to frigate birds.

The remotest island of the trio is Cayman Brac, which is covered in fruit trees, orchids and cacti, and rises to 45m in the east. There are one or two resorts here, but, like Little Cayman, the island remains mostly wilderness. Cayman Brac does have some great beaches and the northern shore harbours some caves where pirates used to stash their treasures. The National Trust Parrot Reserve sits above the bluff.

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