CaYMAN ISLaNDS
Clockwise from top left: a Cayman brac parrot; blue-throated anole; brown boobie and chick; a blue iguana; stingray sightings are common; blue waters can be taken for granted, too;
BeST FOR ANIMaL ENCoUNTERS
iscovered in 1503 by Christopher
Columbus, the three-strong Cayman archipelago sits south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. The crocodiles (caimanas in Spanish) that gave the islands their name may be long gone, but other native creatures add colour to island explorations. Most famous are the stingrays that gather in warm, shallow water on the offshore sandbanks dubbed Stingray City – one of
Grand Cayman’s most popular attractions. Here, holidaymakers interact with wild southern stingrays, the larger females of which can grow to widths of nearly two metres. Despite deadly reputations, the rays are inquisitive and gentle, allowing themselves to be petted and stroked. It’s an incredible experience but can get pretty crowded, especially if there are cruise ships in port.
Far more intimate is a visit to leafy Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, which offers the best chance of meeting an island endemic: the blue iguana. Unique to Grand Cayman, these large, blue lizards had a rather close brush with extinction, but a captive breeding programme has boosted their numbers these past 20 years. The Caymans’ other unique native dragon, the Sister Islands rock iguana, is only found on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, the two smaller islands. Equally endemic is the colourful Cayman brac parrot, whose woodland habitat is vulnerable to hurricane damage. The Sister Islands are also home to colonies of boobies, a type of seabird that in turn is harassed by piratical
You won’t meet the crocodiles the islands are named after, but you’ll surely be able to stroke a stingray, spot birds and lizards in dazzling colours and go snorkelling among the turtles
frigatebirds intent on stealing their fishy catches. Sea turtles are also a common sight: numbers have recovered here since the animals stopped being plundered for meat. Along with parrotfish, groupers, nurse sharks, corals and even the odd sunken warship, turtles are highlights of many a snorkel or dive trip. The Caymans’ waters are renowned for exceptional visibility, while Grand Cayman is also known for night-time kayak trips to marvel at the phenomenon of bioluminescence.
Each of the islands has its own personality, where experiences range from sleepy to sumptuous. Grand Cayman is the most developed, with the focus falling on Seven Mile Beach’s sweeping curve of platinum sand backed by condominiums, hotels, galleries, duty-free shopping and restaurants. This is where the island’s reputation as a culinary capital is based, with a range of international cuisines alongside conch fritters, clam chowder and other island favourites. Among the most talked-about new spots is Tillies at the Cayman Islands’ first all-suite boutique hotel, Palm Heights palmheights.com where classic Caribbean dishes are served on the seafront. The big name on the food scene, however, is Eric Ripert, chef patron at the Ritz-Carlton’s
Blue by Eric Ripert seafood restaurant. His annual Cayman Cookout caymancookout.com takes place in January and brings cooking demonstrations, events and tastings to Seven Mile Beach. It all adds up to an island escape where three really is the magic number. visitcaymanislands.com