Dive into fun in Grand Cayman!
April 14, 2009
My latest desktop journey outside the US takes me to the very beautiful Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. But, as you can imagine with the current economic climate, my company sure isn’t sending me anywhere anytime soon, but hey- what else is new? Just because they’re not sending me to a supremely gorgeous beach on the company dime surely doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some down time. Sometimes a little escape is just the trick when you’re feeling gloomy.
With the abundance of airline sales going on right now, flights are competitively priced and hotels seem to be cutting their prices at every turn. So the only question left is what to do when you get there? I wish I could tell you all about it from personal experience, but you already know how that goes. Thankfully, I can rely on others and travel vicariously through the experts and report back to you.
As Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, there really are endless options for fun and sun here. The biggest attraction for visitors seems to be the crystal clear water and breathtaking diving and snorkeling here. It turns out that on this majestic island there are absolutely no natural fresh water lakes or rivers causing run-off into the oceans and inhibiting reef development which accounts for the exceptional clarity of the sea. Also the Cayman Islands naturally give way to reef formations as they are submerged mountains tops. These incredible underwater walls offer protection and refuge for thousands of species of marine life, reaching in some areas 20,000 feet or more in depth. In fact, Grand Cayman is world class recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean since 1957 when scuba pioneer Bob Soto opened the island’s first dive shop. Today, Cayman is one of the world’s top dive destinations, with more than 40 dive operations and 200 dive sites marked with moorings.
The western side of the island is more developed than the east, holding the capital city of George Town and the airport. Here, restaurants, night clubs and resorts can be found in abundance. The island’s seafood often arrives at the restaurants within just hours of having been caught making traditional favorites like tuna, mahi mahi, red snapper, wahoo, conch and lobster deliciously fresh and of the highest quality. And though Grand Cayman occupies only 76 square miles, great diversity in cuisine, accommodations and activities can be found there. Thankfully the temperature stays warm year round, usually about 85* in the summer which means fun and sun are available any time you are.
Kids will certainly enjoy playing with sea turtles in Boatswain’s Beach, riding the waves at Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park, frolicking aboard a pirate ship or learning about Cayman’s ecosystem at Sir Turtle’s Sea School- just to name a few. Though there are enough activities to satisfy any interest, water sports seem to take the cake in Grand Cayman. You could try riding a banana boat, two person parasailing or discovering the marine world by swimming with colorful tropical fish. Why not view the amazing underwater reefs in submarines, semi-submersibles, or a glass bottom boat?
Take a trip to the famous Stingray City while you’re there to swim with tamed southern stingrays in their natural habitat, the open sea. There’s also horseback riding, cycling, golf and tennis. But for those looking for an out-of-the-way spot to enjoy nature, Cemetary Beach one of the best places on the island to snorkel. If you’ve never seen a sea urchin before, you’re in for a treat! This is a wonderful area to relax, worship the sun and snorkel the afternoon away.
Another fun day trip idea is to go to Hell. No- literally. There is a town called Hell on Grand Cayman. You’ll come back home with tales of a blackened and jagged rock formation that give this little district in West Bay its name. A post office was opened in 1962 for tourists who wanted to send postcards from Hell and the proprietor of the local general store dresses up in a devil costume every day. How fun!
One last thing, while you’re there definitely take a trip to the new Camana Bay development during your stay. The $400 million Town Centre is quickly becoming a hub for fashion, food, entertainment, business and cultural events. Featuring duty-free shopping and an amphitheater with space for up to 2,000 people, this area often hosts outdoor concerts, street fairs and festivals. And don’t forget, next time take me with you!
Book Grand Cayman online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: To book, log on to Quest.
Travelers: To book, search our locator to find a Travel Agency.
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