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Cayman Islands Diving

© Linda Gettmann

First there were the turtles, then came Christopher Columbus. He discovered the Cayman Islands by accident on his final voyage when his ships were blown off course in a storm. He called them "Les Tortugas," but when Sir Francis Drake arrived in 1586 to claim the islands for Britain, the British admiral renamed them "Caymanas." From buccaneers plundering Spanish galleons to an enviably high standard of living, tax-free status, and hundreds of offshore banks and financial institutions per square mile, the Cayman Islands remain a trio of lively, unspoiled islands basking peacefully in the Caribbean sun. Miles from their nearest neighbors, Jamaica and Cuba, these three small specks in the vast ocean are known for some of the best scuba diving in the world.

Grand Cayman might be small in size, but in every other aspect it is truly "grand." The largest of the three at 22 miles long, Grand Cayman's capitol George Town boasts a bustling harbor and financial district. Shopping here ranges from duty-free merchandise of all types to wonderful local crafts. The island's turtle farm is the only one in the world raising hatchlings and re-populating the Caribbean Sea. Seven-mile beach begins just north of George Town and is home to the many luxury resorts and water sports facilities on the island. It is hard to imagine a beach so long, so white, and so soft underfoot. Fringed by tall pines and palm trees, its sheer beauty beckons one and all to its sun-baked sand and warm sea. Here you will find any and all types of accommodations (including many condos), restaurants, dive shops, and stores. Cruise ships stop at George Town on their way between Miami, Jamaica, and Central America. Don't miss the opportunity to dive or snorkel at the famous Stingray City in North Sound.

Cayman Brac is the middle island, 86 miles northeast of Grand Cayman (a 20-minute flight), and 12 miles long. Despite its history as a pirate hideout, Cayman Brac today is a peaceful hideaway for divers, fishermen, snorkelers, and those travelers wanting to get away from it all. Brac means "bluff" in Gaelic and is named for its 140-foot high cliffs that jut out from the eastern tip of the island. A nature preserve hosting more than 150 bird species, iguanas, and a colorful variety of tropical plants and flowers sits atop the cliffs. A few small resorts catering to divers make Cayman Brac a favorite with the underwater set. Fabulous dive sites such as Strawberry Sponge Wall, Snapper Reef, and the MV Capt. Keith Tibbetts Russian warship are just a short boat ride away.

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