Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands at about 196 km² and contains the capital George Town. Towns on the island are referred to as "districts".

The island is a high-lying cow reef, with a highest elevation of roughly 24 meters above sea level. There is no natural fresh water (lakes, rivers, etc) on the island, so any fresh water needs must be met by catchments or desalination of seawater. The lack of rivers does however account for the exceptional clarity of the sea.

The island was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 from September 11 to September 12. With Category 5 strength, Ivan passed within 30 miles of Grand Cayman, hitting it with winds over 180 mph (290 km/h) and gusts up to 200mph. The island reported no more than a few deaths - none directly caused by the hurricane - but over 80% of the buildings were either damaged or completely destroyed. Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the island in 86 years.

Grand Cayman: reinvigorated by its recovery from the damage of Hurricane Ivan, this Western Caribbean gem is better than ever

The eastern side of the island is somewhat undeveloped, while the western side of the island, which holds George Town and the airport, Owen Roberts International Airport, is more developed. Fast food restaurants, night clubs and resorts can be found on the western side of the island. The eastern districts offer more restaurants specializing in native Caymanian cuisine.

The island economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with as much of 75% of the island's GDP being tourist generated. Aside from numerous beaches, including the famous Seven Mile Beach, there are many attractions on the island.

Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands in general are very well known for their diving and snorkelling. The island features many reefs and walls, some of which can be accessed by swimming from shore.

1-2 year old Green Sea Turtles in a petting tank at the Turtle farm.

The district of West Bay features a turtle farm. The majority of Green Sea Turtles are raised for their meat, the theory being that this eliminates consumption of wild animals. Some of the farmed turtles are released, and have good survival rates in the wild. The turtle farm also has several rare iguanas and a caiman on display.

West Bay district is also home to a formation of limestone affectionately known to islanders as Hell. Merchandise "from Hell" can be purchased nearby.

Stingray City in Grand Cayman allows swimmers, snorkelers, and divers to swim and feed stingrays.

Stingray City, located a short boat ride from the northern end of Grand Cayman, is a series of shallow sand bars where sting rays are found in abundance and visitors can feed, pet, and interact with the animals. The southern stingrays can grow to large sizes (100 cm or more in span) and are quite accustomed to being handled and fed. A trip from a local tour operator will usually include snorkelling in coral gardens before arriving at Stingray City.

In the southern district of Bodden Town is the historic house of Pedro St. James, considered the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands. It is also the oldest known existing stone structure on Grand Cayman.

In the Eastern Districts of the island are the districts of Bodden Town, East End and North Side. In the centre of the island (in North Side district) is the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail through old growth dry forests that used to cover the entire island. Plants and animals native to Grand Cayman, such as the Mastic Tree, green parrot, and agouti, can be seen.

Things to Do

The island's most famous excursion is to Stingray City where boatloads of tourists debark at nearby Stingray Sandbar and squeal nervously while adjusting to the presence of large rays which they can feed and "pet" while snorkeling in waist deep water.

• Moby Dick Tours, Phone: 480-626-5429, [5]. Stingray city tours $35, under 12 $30.
• Native Way Watersports, Cayman Yacht Club, Phone: 1-345-916-5027, [6]. Locally owned and staffed with a variety of tours available.
• Soto's Cruises, Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-945-4576, email: scruises@candw.ky,[7]. Stingray city tours. $30.

• '"Boatswain’s Beach", formerly the Cayman Turtle Farm, is a 24-acre marine park. The world’s only commercial Green Sea Turtle farm, it is home to over 16,000 sea turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to six hundred pounds and now even houses an alligator. Boatswain’s Beach features a 1.3 Million Gallon Saltwater Snorkel Lagoon where visitors can swim with turtles and other marine life; a Predator Tank (viewable by snorkelers); an Aviary and Iguana sanctuary; a Nature Trail and “Blue Hole” Sunken Cave, turtle farm tours with full access around the breeding ponds; Caymanian Heritage Street with porch-side artisans and crafts and restaurants featuring classic and contemporary Caymanian cuisine; and a state of the art research and educational facility focusing on the conservation of sea turtles.[www.boatswainsbeach.ky] $12.00

• Atlantis Adventures, South Church Street, George Town Harbor, Phone: 345-949-7700, [8]. See the reefs from a 48-person submarine.
• Silver Thatch Excursions, Phone: 345-945-6588. Eco-tourism award winning biologist Geddes Hislop. Walking tours, either eco tours to the rainforest or historical tours.
• Blackbeard's Nancy, West Bay Rd, Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 349-949-8988. This replica schooner offers a variety of options including a dinner cruise.

Diving

• Sunset Divers at Sunset House, South Sound, Phone: 345-949-7111, Fax: 345-949-7101,[9].
• Red Sail Sports, Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-945-5965, Fax: 345-945-5808,[10].
• Don Foster's Dive Cayman Islands, Toll free: 800-833-4837, Phone: 345-945-5132, [11].
• Ocean Frontiers, East End, Toll free: 800 348 6096, phone 345-947-7500, [12]

Horseback Riding

• Nicki's Beach Rides, Phone: 345-945-5834.
• Honey Suckle Trail Rides, Phone: 345-947-7976.
• Pampered Ponies Ltd., Phone: 345-945-2262, [13].

Festivals

• Batabano[14], the Grand Cayman carnival occurs near the end of April or early May. Batabano is a weekend of live steelband music, revelers parading the streets in colorful costumes, and eating exotic foods. Cayman Brac holds a celebration called "Brachanal" the next Saturday after Grand Cayman's.
• Pirates Week Festival, George Town with events country-wide, Tel: 345-949-5859, Fax: 345-949-5449, [15]. Mid-November (2006: Nov. 9-19). Fireworks, "pirate landings", street dancing, heritage day events in Cayman towns, more.

Shopping

• Caymanite is the Cayman Islands' own semi-precious stone. It is a very hard stone which varies across the earth colors. Available at most jewelers. Black coral is also a Cayman jewelry staple.
• Tortuga Rum Company, Phone: 345-949-6322, Georgetown, [16]. A favorite stop of many for their rum cakes. Free tasting of the cake.
• Farmer's Market Cooperative, Thomas Russell Way. Local produce, jams, sauces.

Restaurants

• Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar Fort Street, George Town, Grand Cayman (across from Senor Frogs)Phone: 345-949-5747. Contemporary International, Menu changes daily. Great dishes- Lobster bisque in cognac cream and lobster quesadillas. Excellent Service. $10-29

• SeaHarvest (at Sunset House), South Church St.,Spectacular Seafood and East and West Indian dishes, Phone: 345-945-1383. Great Value Menus on website. $10-$28.,[17].

• Cracked Conch by the Sea, N. West Point Rd.,next to Turtle Farm, West Bay, Phone: 345-945-5217. Good family restaurant with a nautical theme. $10-$28. [18]

• Chicken Chicken!, West Shore Centre, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-945-2290. Slow roasted and inexpensive.

• Hemingway's, Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach,Phone: 345-945-5700. Outdoor fine dining. $20-$30.

• Lone Star Bar & Grill, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-945-5175. Tex-Mex, burgers and steaks. $17-$28.

• Portofino's, East End by the ocean, Phone: 345-947-2700. Beautiful site, view of the famous "Wreck of the Ten Ships", casual, friendly family atmosphere. Cayman style cuisine: jerk chicken, excellent fish, mixed drinks. $4.50-$28.

• Neptune's, Trafalgar Place, West Bay Rd., West Bay, Phone: 345-946-8709. Great food and not overly fancy. $10-$30.

• Reef Grill at Royal Palms, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-945-6358. Indoor and outdoor dining. Great views of Seven Mile Beach and great seafood dishes. $20-$30.

Bakery

• Ye Old English Bakery, Harbour Dr., George Town, Phone: 345-945-2420. Breakfast and lunch. Cash only. Try the scones. Internet available.

Drink

Bars

• My Bar at Sunset House,, South Church St, George Town. Infamous open aired, thatch roof bar. Rated Best in the Caribbean by Caribbean Travel & Life [19].
• Lazy Lizard Beachouse Bar & Grill,, West Bay Rd, Seven Mile Beach. Outdoor bar.
• Pirates Den Pub & Restaurant, Galleria Plaza, Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-949-7144. English pub type. Good place to kick back and watch sports.
• Big Daddy's Restaurant and Sports Bar, West Bay Rd, Treasure Island Resort, Phone: 345-949-8511.

Nightlife

• Legendz, West Bay Rd, Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-945-1950. Extremely popular, busy nightclub with a variety of entertainment.
• O Bar, Queens Court, 2nd floor, Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-943-6227. Open earlier than many other clubs, the O attracts a young, trendy crowd.

Accommodations

Lodging is expensive on Grand Cayman.

Budget

• Eldemire's B&B Guest House, 18 Pebbles Way, off S. Church St., George Town, Phone: 345-949-5387, [20]. 6 rooms.

• Rocky Shore Guest House, 30 Grass Piece La., West Bay, Phone: 345-926-0119, Fax: 345-946-0118, [21]. Four rooms with two of them sharing baths.

Moderate

• Turtle Nest Inn, Red Bay Rd., Bodden Town, Phone: 345-947-8665, Fax: 345-947-6379, [22]. Eight one-bedroom apartments.

• Retreat at Rum Point , North Side, Grand Cayman, Toll free: 866-947-9135, Fax: 345-947-9116, [23]. One, two, and three bedroom suites available.

• Sunset House , South Church St., George Town, Phone: 345-949-7111, Toll free: 800-854-4767, Fax: 345-949-7101, [24]. Fifty-eight rooms and two suites. A great place for divers and handy to George Town.

• Courtyard by Marriott, 1590 West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-946-4433, Fax: 345-946-4434. [25].

• Sunshine Suites by Wyndham, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-949-3000, Toll free: 877-786-1110, Fax: 345-949-1200, [26].

• "'Compass Point Dive Resort, Austin Conolly Drive, East End, Grand Cayman, Toll free: 1 800 348 6096, phone: 1 345 947 7500 [27].

Splurge

• Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Beach Suites, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-949-1234, Toll free: 800-233-1234, Fax: 345-949-8528. [28]

• The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, West Bay Rd., Seven Mile Beach, Phone: 345-943-9000 [29]

has books, videos, music and art for purchase online at discounted pricing.  You can view them by clicking the sub-categories on the left.