Friday 13 November 2015

GRAND CAYMAN: Full Of Adventures


Like three brilliant siblings, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman each have their own charms while sharing familial traits. A British Overseas Territory, the trio makes up a one of a kind vacation spot beloved by families, couples and watersport enthusiasts alike.

Grand Cayman’s capital, George Town, is a vibrant city centre, housing unique historic sites, a renowned National Gallery and Cayman’s National Museum. The downtown area also boasts some of the Caribbean’s very best duty-free shopping. Travellers can choose from fine European fashions and top designer labels, artisanal crafts such as Caymanite jewellery, antiques and treasure coin jewelry.

Cayman Islands

The perfect family holiday destination, Grand Cayman is full of adventures. At Boatswain’s Beach, site of the renowned Cayman Turtle Farm, children and parents alike can enjoy a fully interactive marine park–home to more than 16,000 endangered green sea turtles, exciting shark exhibits and a fabulous snorkel lagoon. At Stingray City, families can touch and feed stingrays, while snorkeling over magnificent coral reefs filled with colourful tropical fish.

With dozens of world-class dining options and a host of luxury accommodations, Cayman is also the perfect setting for a destination wedding, honeymoon or romantic weekend getaway. Whether it be relaxing at Seven Mile Beach or experiencing exhilarating dives, Grand Cayman has it all.

If you’re looking for a remote retreat, Cayman Brac is only 45 minutes away. A nature lover’s paradise, this small island is lined with walking and hiking trails and is home to nearly 200 species of birds. Cayman Brac is also the site of the only dive-accessible Russian warship in the Western Hemisphere.

Little Cayman, just five miles from Cayman Brac, is the quintessential island escape. Fewer than 150 people live here year-round, and the bonefishing and diving are spectacular. There are more than 50 walls, wrecks and other dive sites teeming with tropical fish and coral. Bloody Bay Wall off Little Cayman and the Great Wall off North Cayman, draw divers from all over the world.

For some, Cayman is a diver’s dream offering clear waters, famous wrecks, and diverse aquatic life. For others, it’s a fun, educational and enriching family holiday. For others still, it’s the perfect romantic getaway. The Cayman Islands truly has something for everyone.
AIRPORTS/GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES:

Airports: (GCM) – Owen Roberts International Airport serves Grand Cayman. Gerrard Smith International Airport is on Cayman Brac. Edward Bodden Airstrip is on Little Cayman. Little Cayman has no customs or immigration, so no international flights stop there.

Gateways/Flying Times: British Airways flies from Heathrow via Nassau, Bahamas. All other routes are via the USA. London via Nassau: 12 hours. Atlanta: 2 hours 5 minutes. Houston: 2 hrs 40 minutes. Miami: 1 hour 10 minutes. Tampa: 1 hour 30 minutes. New York: 4 hours.
CLIMATE:

Average annual temperature, high-27.6 C/86.6 F: low-19 degrees C/66 degrees F.
DINING:

Local. Caribbean. International. Gourmet. Chinese. Italian. Mexican. Southwestern USA. German. Indian. Thai. English pubs. Fast Food. Dress code is casual. 15% is standard for gratuities.
LANGUAGE:

English.
NIGHTLIFE:

Discos. Live Music. Nightclubs. Dinner/Dances. Cinemas. Theatres. Comedy Club. Café. Occasionally gospel concerts and concerts by top reggae, country and rock bands.
SIGHTSEEING:

Grand Cayman – white sand beaches, dive and snorkel sites; Marine trips; Atlantis Submarine; SeaWorld Explorer Semi-Submarine; Nautilus Semi-Submersible Submarine; Jolly Roger cruise excursions; Turtle Farm; Conch Shell House; Hell in West Bay; Blow Holes in East End; National Museum; Stingray City (snorkeling or diving) dept 4 to 12 ft; Tortuga Rum Factory; Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park; Mastic Trail; Pedro St. James; Rum Point; Stingray Brewery; Yacht Club; Britannia, the Links at Safehaven Golf courses. Butterfly Farm.

Cayman Brac – Bluff; Caves; Honeymoon Cottage; Museum; NIM Things; Parrot Reserve; M/V Capt. Keith Tibbetts (diving or snorkeling site). Brac Nature Trails.

Little Cayman – Booby Pond Nature Reserve; Museum; National Trust House and Bird Sanctuary; Owen Island; Point O’ Sand Beach; Salt Rocks Dock; Tarpon Lake; Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Marine Parks (diving and snorkeling sites).

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