You'll enjoy the Cayman Islands if you've ever had the urge to see beneath the sea. The underwater scenery is among the best in the Caribbean, full of exotic fish, coral reefs and even the occasional stingray. The water is warm, clear and often calm—and there are plenty of places to dive or snorkel.
Be aware, however, that the Cayman Islands do not offer much in the way of geographic diversity, and just about everything costs more than it does at home. Of the three islands that make up the Caymans, Grand Cayman is the largest and the center of both the tourism and offshore banking industries. Most visitors spend at least some time there, if not their entire vacation. The heavy influx of visitors to Grand Cayman has had a homogenizing effect on that island. With its traffic, chain restaurants and T-shirt shops, you could, on occasion, mistake crowded stretches of Seven Mile Beach for parts of Florida. The other islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, get fewer visitors.
Location
Of the three islands, Grand Cayman is the only one with the capacity to host cruise ships. A US$17.5 million port facility—just 1,312 ft/400 m north of the old Port Authority dock—opened in 2007. The facility, with a 200-ft/60-m pier, can dock one or two cruise ships, and all passengers filter through a self-contained facility with immigration, tourist information, shops, restaurants, restrooms and a taxi dispatch center. Discussions about building another pier are under way, since on any given day there can be up to six cruise ships in the harbor and some passengers still need to be tendered to the terminal. In rough weather, ships may anchor off the island's southern coast and tender passengers to Spotts, which lies about 4 mi/6 km from George Town. (Cruise ships are banned from anchoring in Spotts Bay.) Taxis or buses then transport passengers to George Town for shopping and to the various attractions.
The main tourist information office is at the Regatta Office Park, Leeward 2, West Bay Road (opposite the Westin Hotel). It's open Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm. Phone 345-949-0623. There is also a small information booth at the cruise ship terminal.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the islands, but you won't have to waste time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. With the exception of a visit to Boatswain Beach—home of the Cayman Turtle Farm—or a round of golf, most trips take you offshore to explore the spectacular coral and fish (in a submersible vessel or glass-bottomed boat or, for certified divers, with scuba gear). There's also the option of a party cruise. Shoppers will be delighted with the countless duty-free shops especially around George Town. Check with your ship's shore-excursion staff or your travel agent for additional information.
