The Cayman Islands is a group of islands located in the western Caribbean, about 480 miles south of Miami, 150 miles south of Cuba, 180 miles northwest of Jamaica and approximately 1,000 miles west of Puerto Rico. The Cayman Islands consist of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

These three islands share the same capital, George Town, which is situated on the western shore of Grand Cayman. The time zone observed in the Cayman Islands is -5 hours GMT. The favorable location, as well as the some of the best water sports and attractions in the Caribbean region, draws large numbers of tourists throughout the year.

When is the best time of the year to visit the Cayman Islands?

Tourists flow into the Cayman Islands year round. The islands have two seasons: summer, or the “rainy” season, from mid-May to October; and, winter, or the “dry” season, which starts in November and goes until April. The months of March and April are generally the driest months in the Cayman Islands, while the months of May and October often register the highest amounts of rainfall.

The Cayman Islands are considered a tropical country, not only for their location but for their mild and inviting West Indian climate. The average temperatures in the Cayman Islands are approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit during winter and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. There are also frequent breezes and seasonal trade winds which contribute to the temperate climate.

The Tourism Sector

Tourism contributes as much as 70-75% of the annual gross domestic product of Cayman Islands. Millions of tourists visit the islands every year, with the majority of tourists visiting Grand Cayman. The Cayman Island is often regarded as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, owing its renown to its naturally crystal-clear waters and pristine reefs. In Cayman, good diving also makes for good snorkeling as the reefs are so close to shore and close to the surface. Unique in the world, one of the favorite snorkeling sites is a shallow sandbar in the north lagoon where tourists are treated to the remarkable experience of swimming among stingrays.

The Best Spots and Experiences

On the west side of Grand Cayman the main tourist attraction is the world-famous Seven Mile Beach, unarguably one of the best beaches in the world. Another main attraction is the ironshore landscape of Hell, which is a 24-acre marine-themed park. The Boatswain’s Beach houses the Cayman Turtle Farm, and showcases the local production of gourmet sea salt. The Cayman Turtle Farm includes many different species, sizes and ages of turtles, as well as other indigenous animals and birds. Grand Cayman proves to be a haven not only for water lovers but also for nature lovers with the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail that traverses the forest paths down to the center of the island. In addition to the attractions found on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman houses a wide array of wildlife species and is home to the red-footed booby.

Notable Species

The Cayman Islands also boasts an impressive avian fauna, including two sub-species of the Amazona parrots: the Amazona leucocephala hesterna, or Cayman Brac Parrot, which is native only to the Cayman Brac; and, the Amazona leucocephala caymanensis, or Grand Cayman Parrot, which can only be found on Grand Cayman. Other notable faunas on the islands are the endangered species of Blue Iguana, which is found on Grand Cayman; the agouti; and the Red-footed and Brown Boobies, commonly seen on the sister islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

Other Activities

Apart from the scuba diving activities, the Cayman Islands is also a popular tourist spot for various water sports, such as snorkeling, jet skis, paddle boards and banana boats. People who are not into swimming or scuba diving can still enjoy underwater views through submarines, semi-submersible boats, and glass-bottom tourist boats.

Source: Cayman Islands iPortal