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Little Cayman Little Cayman is the least developed of the Cayman trio. With a resident population of less than 170, most of Little Cayman remains uninhabited. Only 10 miles long and a mile wide, it still offers that rare combination of sun-blessed solitude, glistening beaches and miles of untouched tropical wilderness, perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. On Little Cayman, diving, especially in the famous Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Point areas, are the main attraction. Bloody Bay Wall, located on the North Shore of the Island is one of the world's truly legendary dive sites: the sheer coral wall begins at 20 ft. and plunges to 6000 ft. Colorful coral gardens, wavering sea plumes and exotic tropical fish thrive among more than 50 unique dive sites. There are several diving companies that offer dive excursions such as Conch Club Divers and Paradise Divers , with both offering dive specials and packages. Exceptional fishing can be done on Little Cayman, where bonefish, small tarpon and permit, particularly in South Hole Sound Lagoon , challenge anglers looking for light tackle action along the coast. The 15-acre Tarpon Pond is always filled with small, but feisty gamefish. You don't have to go underwater to see wildlife, though. Little Cayman also has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby (5000 pairs) in the Caribbean as well as a breeding colony of large heronry and Magnificent Frigate Birds. The 203-acre Red-Footed Booby Bird Nature Reserve provides an observation deck with high-powered telescopes for year-round viewing of the sanctuary's bird life. Right across the way, you'll notice the Little Cayman Museum which will give you a background on the history, hobbies, and life on Little Cayman. If sun and sand are what you're after, there is certainly no shortage on Little Cayman. The beach at Little Cayman Cottage offers the perfect hideaway with magnificent shady palm trees and a pristine white sand beach. Point of Sand on the far eastern tip of the Island offers visitors a picturesque view of Cayman Brac while being conveniently located next to the reef mouth, making it perfect for snorkeling. Right off the elegant beach of Bloody Bay sits Owen's Island . A destination for absolute seclusion, you can choose to row out to this tiny Island, offering a great spot for quiet reflection and relaxation. Grand Cayman While Grand Cayman is very similar to its sister islands, it has one rather distinguishing feature that sets it apart: size. There's enough variety on Grand Cayman to make a tour of the island entirely worthwhile, but there's also just enough space that you probably won't want to try walking. For transportation, a rented bike, car or taxi will quickly get you from one spot to another. George Town and Seven Mile Beach Most people who come to Grand Cayman end up staying along the strip of Seven Mile Beach , just two miles west of the airport. Despite being only five miles in length it has by far the greatest concentration of resorts and hotels on the island, bordered by George Town to the south and West Bay to the north. Start off your tour in George Town. If you get here early enough you'll find the town quiet and peaceful, the storefronts still closed and the very water off the cruise docks seemingly sleepy and tranquil. A little later, the duty-free shops open up and the shoppers come out. You can enjoy the shopping and cafes, or, if your interests run more to the academic, stop in at the Cayman Islands National Museum . Be forewarned, though: George Town is Grand Cayman's docking point for cruise ships, so if you happen to get caught there when one is passing through, you might be in for more of a crowd than you bargained. There's no reason to stay in the town for too long, so when you're done, walk out to the docks and head north until you hit the sand. This is Seven Mile Beach. It's reputedly one of the most beautiful in the world, but it's up to you to decide whether its coral sands and cerulean seas are part of your makeup of Paradise. West Bay If Seven Mile Beach fails to entice you with beach towels and breezes, keep going north; when you're tired of walking, a quick taxi ride along West Bay Road will get you past the beach to West Bay in no time. This area is home to several dive tour operators, most notably the small boats that launch off the eastern side of the peninsula to visit Stingray City . If you're not a diver, don't worry, you can snorkel too, making this a can't-miss Grand Cayman destination. Boatswain's Beach is on the western side of the peninsula, and makes for a few hours of entertainment. A large Turtle Farm near the beach allows you to see and even touch turtles, both tiny and titanic, as well as other Caribbean wildlife. A noted tourist trap, Hell , is also located in the center of this part of the island. Bodden Town and North Side The area stretching from George Town to West Bay provides plenty of diversions, and it's all that most visitors ever see of the island. For the more adventurous, though, there's much more in store. Bodden Town is the birthplace of democracy in Grand Cayman's old capital, a tale told by the restored Pedro St. James Historic Site . A network of sea caves is also rumored to exist beneath the town, although their entrances mostly collapsed during storms over the years. Some still exist however, and any of the locals can point you toward them. The local soccer team also makes its home here. Head north and you'll reach, guess what–North Side! The main draw here is a rival to Seven Mile Beach called Rum Point . Far less crowded but arguably just as beautiful, the beach at Rum Point will be a siren-call for those who prefer seclusion. East End The East End of Grand Cayman is often ignored by everyone except for diving enthusiasts. With few options for accommodation or dining and an utter dearth of shopping, it just isn't everyone's scene. Before you head all the way out to the eastern beaches, stop at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park . This park offers miles of hiking trails and can give you a good idea of what island life is like away from the ocean. Hike here for a while, and you'll start to spot some of the unique wildlife that makes this island home, including the Cayman parrot. Further on and farther away from the hustle and bustle of the island's tourist centers, the East End shoreline is the last retreat on Grand Cayman for lovers of peace and quiet. It's not exactly undeveloped, but scattered houses and sweeping beach and ocean vistas are the norm out here. If you're in the area, stop in at Castro's Hideaway to meet some of the island's quirky characters, and enjoy a good meal, to boot. Offshore No, this last section isn't about how to scam foreign investors while you're in Grand Cayman. It's about the one thing conspicuously missing from this tour – diving! While some opt to become beach bunnies seemingly rooted to the sand during their stay, others who visit Grand Cayman could, believe it or not, care less about the beach. Here, they come for the water. For this tour, however, you'll need a tour operator, complete with a boat (sorry, ours can't make it). Every side of Grand Cayman has its own undersea attractions. While Stingray City has been mentioned, true diving aficionados will demand far more. In general, the island offers diving off the North , West and South Walls, and also from the East End . Different tour operators cover different sections of the water, so if you want to dive at a particular site, just ask, and they'll either ferry you out, or refer you to someone who can. Back to Little Cayman Overview |
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