Destination overview

Three tiny islands make up the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman - balanced precariously on one side of the enormous Cayman Trench, the deepest part of the Caribbean. While synonymous worldwide with banking, tax havens and beach holidays, there’s much more to discover about this tiny, proud nation. What’s so surprising about the Caymans at first is how un-British they are – it would be hard to design a more Americanised place than Grand Cayman, where SUVs jostle for space in the parking lots of large malls and US dollars change hands as if they were the national currency.

Only the occasional portrait of the Queen or a fluttering Union Jack ever begs to differ. This contradiction is just the first of many you’ll discover while getting to know these islands. The Caymans may lack the dramatic scenery and steamy nightlife of much of the Caribbean, but in their place you’ll find a charming, independent and deeply warm people spread over three islands boasting many of life’s quieter charms.

Grand Cayman

Cosmopolitan Grand Cayman Island is the largest of the three islands. Whether you are looking for complete relaxation, exquisite dining, exciting nightlife or fabulous underwater sights of the very accessible reefs, Grand Cayman has something for everyone.

On the west side of Grand Cayman you will find the famous Seven Mile Beach; the crescent-shaped natural wonder with sand stretching as far as the eye can see. Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is often rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Caribbean - and the least populated.

When you’re looking to get off the beach, get lost in the luxury of George Town, where colourful traditional Caribbean-style buildings meet high finance corporations. Enjoy duty-free shopping on signature high-end brands and seek out the many local vendors and craftsmen throughout the districts who work from their homes and are always happy to spend some time helping you find that perfect gift. An amazing combination of luxury and local treasures await you on your Cayman Islands shopping trip.

The Eastern districts of Grand Cayman feature natural beauty and grace beyond the azure waters and white sandy beaches. Tour through the Queen Elizabeth 2 Botanical Park and learn about rare blue iguanas, visit the Wreck of the Ten Sail or eat freshly-caught fish in one of the local restaurants.

Cayman Brac

If you want to get off the beaten path and are looking for adventure on your Cayman Islands holiday, then a visit to Cayman Brac is a must. Named for its breathtaking 140- foot bluff, the ‘Brac’ is a rugged and charming 14 square miles and provides adventure seekers and nature lovers with the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the island’s most dramatic scenery, exotic flora and fauna.

A small community with a population of less than 1,800, the locals are warm, welcoming and outgoing folks who love sharing tales of their island and its history with visitors. A good start to discovering Cayman Brac would be to visit the Bluff and see the breathtaking view from the lighthouse. And a must-do is to explore the limestone caves and sinkholes, high above the water. And for the underwater adventurers, Cayman Brac’s crystal clear, warm waters provide awe-inspiring wall dives, shallow diving and wreck diving at all levels and interest, making for a dream Caribbean dive vacation. All ages can enjoy some of the most popular Caribbean diving locations on Cayman Brac.

Why not try a spot of fishing in the shallow waters filled with bonefish and deeper offshore waters full of game fish. Back on land, you can enjoy lush green forests throughout the island which are home to over 200 species of birds. Bird watchers will also delight in the 180-acre parrot reserve which hosts the rare, endangered Brac parrot. Frigate birds, brown boobies and peregrine falcons can also be spotted in their natural environment.
For those looking to explore further, a criss-cross of hiking trails expands through the island where you can find several exotic flowers and plants. Many trails also lead to reptile habitats and historic sites.

If you simply want to relax, what better way than to pick up your book, crawl into a hammock and indulge yourself in the solitude of some of the quietest and most secluded beaches in the Caribbean. Only a 30-minute plane ride from Grand Cayman, you’ll feel as though you are worlds away along the serene shores of the wonder that is Cayman Brac.

Little Cayman

The least developed and the smallest and most tranquil of the three Cayman Islands, Little Cayman epitomises the definition of an island getaway. This beautiful island offers seclusion and striking scenery everywhere you look, making it the perfect Caribbean destination.

With a population of less than 170, most of Little Cayman remains uninhabited. Only 10 miles long and one mile wide, this island getaway offers a rare combination of solitude, sun-drenched glistening beaches and miles of untouched tropical wilderness.

Or, if you’re feeling energetic why not rent a bike or scooter and meander your way around the island, venture to remote South Hole Sound Lagoon for a private swim in water that is every shade of blue, or row out to tiny, deserted Owen Island to appreciate a view of nature in its most pristine form where you can enjoy an island getaway experience so real, you’ll feel as if you were the last person on earth.

This little island is quiet, but that doesn't mean it’s without excitement. When they celebrate on Little Cayman, they go all out and during the annual Mardi Gras celebration, Little Cayman Pirates Week and the Little Cayman Cook-off, this tranquil paradise comes alive with the sounds of soca, reggae and steel drums.

As divers in the know will tell you, much of the island’s beauty lies beneath the waves. Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park is one of the most popular dive sites with adventure seekers from around the world. It is full of life and vibrant colour and is famous for its dramatic drop-offs and swim-throughs.

Many of the 50-plus unique Little Cayman dive sites along the wall start off as shallow snorkelling areas before descending into the sheer expanse of pristine wall, encrusted with colourful coral gardens and exotic sponges, for a Caribbean diving experience you’ll never forget. The waters of Little Cayman are home to lobster, octopus, eagle rays, reef sharks, turtles and every variety of tropical fish.

Little Cayman is also home to the largest colony of red-footed boobies in the western hemisphere and a visit to the Visitor’s Centre at the Booby Pond Nature Reserve is a bird-watchers dream. Along with 20,000 red-footed boobies, the reserve is also home to around 350 magnificent frigate birds.

Your relaxing Caribbean vacation would not be complete without a visit to Little Cayman, where you can truly ease the body and soul in the timeless beauty of the island’s unspoiled natural surroundings.