Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise

Article Published: September 26th, 2007

The Cayman Islands are Renowned for beautiful beaches, excellent diving and offshore banking, they are a group of three islands situated between Cuba and Jamaica, only a 90-minute flight from Miami. Most of the population of the Cayman Islands live on the 202 sq km Grand Cayman, and every day thousands of visitors arrive, many of them on cruise liners, to besiege the narrow streets of the island capital, George Town, and delight in the beautiful beaches. The natural attractions are enough to draw the crowds, however, with the coral reefs, clear waters and sandy beaches offering the chance to try out any watersport imaginable. It is hard to believe that among the buildings that line George Town’s harbor there are 500 banks making up the world’s fifth largest offshore financial centre. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are 113km northeast of Grand Cayman and are much smaller and even more relaxed. Visitors don’t come here in suits; the little business that goes on revolves around diving and catering for the world’s best bone-fishing. Discovered by Columbus in 1503 and explored by Sir Francis Drake in 1586, it was not until 1670 that the islands came under British rule. They remain a British territory, and the Queen’s picture is still displayed proudly, but the US exerts the dominant influence over what it considers its backyard. For years the islands were a base for pirates who delighted in the remoteness of Grand Cayman.

Entry Filed under: Caribbean