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7 THINGS TO SEE AND DO
IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Just one-hour flight time from Miami and 1.5 hours from the Texas coast,
the Cayman Islands offers a treasure trove of activities and places to relax
for a true vacation. Consisting of three small islands no more than 100
square miles in total, beaches and banking have driven the islands to the
forefront when it comes to business and pleasure.
When planning a trip to the Cayman Islands, one can expect clean white
sandy beaches with a mirror calm turquoise tropical ocean, however one
should also be prepared for occasional light showers during the summer
months. Rain showers don’t last long in the tropics and are usually followed
by bright sunshine a few minutes later. Known as a top destination for
travellers seeking the ultimate vacation, direct flights to the Cayman Islands
can be found on British Airways. With over seven miles of safe beaches on
the northern coast of Grand Cayman, the islands welcome an average two
million visitors yearly. Majority of visitors to Grand Cayman are cruise ship
visitors arriving 7 am in the morning, and are usually gone by 5 pm in the
afternoon. Portrayed in many articles as the place time has forgotten, the
islands have seen an upward trend in commercialization and growth, mostly
within the Seven Mile Beach and George Town districts. In recent times, the
Cayman Islands have improved on roads and buildings, making the islands
some of the most advanced within the Western hemisphere.
Visiting Stingray City
Visiting Stingray City can be overwhelming especially if you are not a frequent
visitor of the ocean. Your first impression can be a little intimidating, but
once you are in the water and the feeding begins, your perspective changes
at once. Holding some of the largest stingrays in the Caribbean without fear
is nothing less than awesome. Referred to as “gentle giants” by most visitors,
feeding stingrays on the sandbar is a must when visiting the Cayman Islands.
One of the best companies to book a tour to Stingray City and surrounding
attractions is Stingray City Cayman Islands. Tours to Stingray City and
starfish can be booked online, including additional tours to the Turtle
Centre and Hell. Completing reservation online is simple and easy, with free
cancellation in the event of adverse weather or a ship failing to stop in port.
A Day at Rum Point
Rum Point is the perfect place to spend a day at the beach with access to
restaurants and beach bar. Known as home of mudslides and the best location
to try one, Rum Point also offers access to the beach and crystal-clear water
in a family setting. Located approximately 1.9 miles from Stingray City, Rum
Point is the closest point to the sandbar. Although it is the closest point when
it comes to line of sight, it is also the furthest to drive should one select to
tour the island. Shuttle service to Rum Point can be arranged from Camana
Bay for a small charge aboard a water taxi, which operates every two hours.
The service does not include stops at Stingray City or any other attractions.
Sandy Beaches and Starfish
The rich culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands can also be explored
through Starfish Point and its surrounding waters. Considered a perfect
place to have a beach picnic, access can be acquired by walking along
a foot path or by water vessel. The quiet beach is a common picnic spot
for locals on weekends and public holidays but is mostly visited by tourist
during the weekdays. Most locals take advantage of the quiet and peaceful
surrounding, which also offers privacy by the natural vegetation blocking
vehicular traffic. Starfishes can be found in knee-deep water and range in
size from a few ounces to several pounds. Bright orange and occasionally
cameo green starfish are found from the southern tip of the sandbar and into
the lagoon a few hundred feet away. Tours to Starfish Point can be purchased
from Stingray City Cayman Islands, and include other destinations such as
Stingray City and Coral Garden.
Venturing Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman has been listed in the top ten beaches
based on a worldwide survey. Consisting of soft white coral sand extending
seven miles on the northern side of the capital George Town, it is not hard
to find some of the best snorkel locations. Beaches in the Cayman Islands
are open for strolling and sunbathing without any worry of breaching local
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laws. With little or no restriction, you can find yourself miles away from
your resort by the time you realized the beauty of the place has taken you
on a long journey. Majority of the upscale resorts are located on Seven Mile
Beach, along with some of the Cayman Islands’ top restaurants and bars.
A few of the restaurants on Seven Mile Beach provide direct access to the
beach with dining next to the water, along with drink service by friendly
waiters.
Touring Historic East End
East End is one of the oldest districts in the Cayman Islands, and it offers
a wide range of historical sites as well as home of the Cayman Islands true
culture. In East End you will find the