Why Go There?

Some of the best diving and beach sitting in the Caribbean! Wall diving is especially good. Add to that enlightened environmental and diving practice policies and you've got a MUST DO diving destination. 

Also, the Cayman Islands is a former British colony and currently part of the British Commonwealth and is, therefore, VERY safe and clean. It's not the cheapest vacation you'll take, but on balance certainly value for money. 

Getting There

Since I live in California, I fly into Miami from San Francisco and then connect to another flight to Grand Cayman. The compression of flight options by the major US airlines in recent years make finding a West coast flight that will connect on the same day to a flight for Grand Cayman challenging. This year (2006) I'll take a 'red-eye' that arrives in Miami in the early morning and then have to wait until noon to fly onward to Grand Cayman. Not as convenient as it used to be.

The onward flight to Grand Cayman is about an hour and a half, but I have been on one flight where the tail wind was so fierce that we got there in an hour! Wheee! You cannot fly directly to Little Cayman from the U.S. (see more general instructions at left)

You typically clear Immigrations/Customs in Grand Cayman, but can clear Immigrations/Customs on Cayman Brac if you fly directly there. You cannot fly directly to Little Cayman.

Last updated: 9/4/07

Customs & Immigration for US Citizens:

The effects of 9/11 has changed requirements for travel to all destinations outside the U.S.

Although it is still possible to travel to the Cayman Islands on a birth certificate and Photo ID, it is NOT possible to re-enter the US without a valid US Passport so effectively you must have a passport to vacation in The Caymans.

Entry is granted for up to six months. Resident aliens of the US who show a valid US Alien Registration Card (green card) may be permitted to enter and remain in the Cayman Islands for up to 30 days.

For any additional questions regarding entry into the Cayman Islands, contact the Cayman Islands Department of Immigration: (345) 949-8052 or visit the U.S. Department of State Web site and/or the Cayman Islands Department of Immigration Web site to stay informed of any possible changes in these entry/exit requirements.

Notes:

Visitors to the Cayman Islands must complete an Immigration Form upon arrival. Please keep the slip given to you by the immigration agent with your travel documents, as this is the equivalent to a Tourist Identification card and must be presented to the immigration authorities upon your departure.

Departure Tax: There is a CI $20.00 or US$25.00 departure tax for the Cayman Islands that is generally included in the price of your airline ticket.

The only thing I've even been asked is if I'm bringing in certain type of spear fishing gear. Speaking of smuggling, I COULD rat on one visitor who "smuggled" in a truck alternator for a 'certain' Resort owner. <G>

The Cayman dollar is about .833 to the U.S. dollar as of 11/06. Cab drivers will take either currency, as will most other businesses. You'll always get your change in Cayman dollars so try to spend them up before you leave.

If you're staying on Grand Cayman, you're there, but since we're flying on to Little Cayman you've got a little more work to do.

If you arrive early enough in the afternoon you can probably make a same day connection from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman. Since this gets you into Little Cayman in the afternoon you'll miss the diving for the day, but it's nice for the cocktail hour and preparation for a relaxing dinner.

If you CAN catch the first plane of the day to Little Cayman (generally this means staying over the night before on Grand Cayman, which is not such a bad place to shake off the jet lag) you can catch the morning dive boat to make both dives of the day.

Pirate’s Point Resort, where I stay, is unusual in that respect, the other resort’s dive boats leave before the a.m. flight so you miss a days diving, or at least 2/3 day if they do 3 dive/days. 

Where Do I Stay on Little Cayman? 

There are three key diving resorts (Little Cayman Beach Resort, Southern Cross Club and Pirate's Point) on Little Cayman. I prefer Pirate's Point. I've been going there for the last 9 years. Click on the Pirate's Point link and I'll tell you more about it and why I like it so much. 

Flying on to Little Cayman

After flying into Grand Cayman (somewhat South by West of Cuba) you take a little puddle jumper over to Little Cayman (80 Miles Northeast 1 mile wide, 9 miles long). The flight takes about 45 minutes. The third island in The Caymans, Cayman Brac, is 5 miles further to the Northeast off the East end of Little Cayman.

The plane is typically a Twin Otter and because of weight limitations it is possible that some luggage must be held until the next flight. It has never happened to me, but I know that others have had to make due overnight until the next flight arrives. Keep some small toiletries in your carry-on just in case; no big deal.

The staff at Pirate’s Point, as well as staff from the other major resorts on the island, meet you at the "Terminal" just off the grass airstrip and take you to your resort by van. The trip to Pirate's Point takes about 3 minutes. 

Air service to The Cayman Islands:

Passenger travel to Little Cayman is limited to air service through Grand Cayman, and very limited service through Cayman Brac if you land there initially.

Cayman Airways provides regularly scheduled flights between the islands.

Getting to Grand Cayman has never been easier. Non-stop flights are available from a number of cities — ask your travel agent or consult your Internet travel site for more information.

(subject to change)

Atlanta

Chicago — via Cayman Airways and United

Charlotte

Detroit

Fort Lauderdale

Houston — via Cayman Airways and Continental Airlines

Miami — via Cayman Airways and American Airlines

New York (JFK)

New York (Newark)

Tampa

Toronto

What's ON Little Cayman? 

As mentioned elsewhere, Little Cayman is one mile wide by 9 miles long. Little Cayman is 5 miles away from Cayman Brac and 80 miles away from Grand Cayman, the other two islands that comprise the Cayman Islands. 
One of the key attractions of Little Cayman is the bird sanctuary that is a key stop over on the Caribbean Flyway. There is an information and viewing site at what is called the National Trust House. You can also buy local products and souvenirs that benefit the National Trust while visiting the Trust House.  

While Little Cayman isn't the stereotypical white sandy beach island, there IS a beautiful beach at the east end called 'Point of Sand'. The name kind of says it all. 

Fishing

Exceptional fishing can be done on Little Cayman, where bonefish, small tarpon and permit, particularly in South Hole Sound lagoon, challenge anglers looking for light tackle action along the coast. The 15-acre Tarpon Pond is always filled with small, but feisty, game fish.

Birds

Little Cayman also has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby (5000 pairs) and only breeding colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds in this hemisphere, the country's first RAMSAR site, the 203-acre Booby Pond Nature Reserve, now under National Trust protection.

Groundbreaking took place on 22 July, 1995 for the Little Cayman Trust House, a Caymanian-style building overlooking the rookery, which opened in late 1996 and serves as the headquarters for Little Cayman National Trust activities. It also provides an observation deck with high-powered telescopes for year-round viewing the sanctuary's bird life. Little Cayman now has its own museum, located across from the Booby Pond Nature Reserve.

Iguana

Little Cayman also has a resident indigenous Little Cayman Rock Iguana population estimated at 2,000. Signs painted by local artists were erected in 1995 cautioning motorists to watch out for iguanas along the main coastal road.

The local chapter of the National Trust organizes outings and activities on a regular basis. The mile-long Salt Rock Nature Trail provides glimpses of Little Cayman's natural habitat. The trail system with wooden viewing platforms has been improved substantially over the past year. (4/04)

Dive Site Overview  

Each of the basic north side dive sites (20 or so) have a chain mooring with a big white float. They accommodate only one boat at a time so you'll not have 30 divers descending on you, as on Grand Cayman, while you’re enjoying your dive.

These sites center around shallow walls with sand interspersed and channels sometimes running down to what they call la-la land; the BIG walls. You can have nice snorkeling in 15 ft of water all the way down to SCUBA diving the agreed upon 110 ft limit.

Pirate’s Point further limits you to 100 ft. They ARE a bit conservative at PP. I never had any problem with this but I have seen ‘Gorilla’ divers complain about the attention they give to buoyancy skills.

This is how they keep their reef life pristine so it will be there for future divers. No problem for me. As you can see from the map, there are also several dive sites indicated on the south side. I have dived many of these and they are fine too, they start deeper than on the north side and do not have the wall features of the north, within 'recreational diving' range.

At certain times of the year weather blows across the island from the north, and it is impossible to 'get around' to dive the north. South side diving is almost always available in lieu.  

To Contact Pirate’s Point Resort use the phone numbers or e-mail (below), or click the name:

Phone: (345) 948-1010

Fax: (345) 948-1011

Email them for Reservations

From the U.S., although really an international call, simply dial as a normal long distance call, by adding a (1) in front of the (345). By the way, the cost is $$$$ per minute, so be warned.

If you want to book Pirate's Point I'd recommend to not use a travel agent. Just call direct and save the commission. Tell them you read my site; maybe I'll get a free beer next trip. <G>

A trip to the Cayman Islands is a must for divers of any level. Go for a bit of history, as a well as many fantastic dives. Please feel free to contact me (see below) to ask questions or advice. 

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Tell me what you think. Questions or comments are always welcome!

Email me at timboyd1 at yahoo.com
 
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