Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

Cayman Brac Tourist Office, West End Road, North Side (tel. 345/948-1649), is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to noon and 1 to 5pm, dispensing information about the island. It's found to the east of the little airport.

Getting There

Cayman Airways (tel. 800/422-9626 in the U.S. or 345/949-8200; www.caymanairways.com) offers seven flights a week to and from Cayman Brac on Boeing 737s, which carry 122 passengers. The flights leave from Miami and make a short stop on Grand Cayman. With a 3-day advance purchase, fares begin at US$280 (£142) round-trip.

Getting Around

You have a choice of a taxi, bike, rental vehicle, or your trusty feet. Renting a car is easiest, especially if you don't like getting stuck in the hot sun.

Car Rentals -- Car-rental agencies will meet your incoming flight if you make reservations in advance. You won't find many rental places here, so reserve as far in advance as possible during the winter season.

B & S Motor Ventures, 422 Channel Rd., South Side (tel. 345/948-1646; www.bandsmv.com), is run by the helpful Steve and Nola Bodden, who will supply you with plenty of insider information about Cayman Brac. Cars and jeeps cost US$40 (£20) per day. The best deal is their weekly rate, beginning at US$240 (£121) for 6 to 7 days. SUVs can also be rented for US$45 (£23) per day. They also rent bikes and scooters.

Brac Rent-a-Car, Tibbetts Square (tel. 345/948-1515), rents Toyota Corollas for US$38 (£19) per day. Four Ds Car Rental, Kidco Building, South Side (tel. 345/948-1599), offers car rentals for US$35 (£18) a day and up, and vans for US$45 (£23) a day. If you rent for 6 days, the seventh day is free.

Taxi -- Service is slow and not very organized, but it is available. Be prepared, however, to wait. Taxis do not always meet incoming planes unless arrangements are made in advance. Most taxi companies will take you on a 2-hour tour for CI$24 (US$30/£14) per person. All the taxi companies charge the same tariffs. Traveling from the airport to one of the resorts or villas on Stake Bay along the north side of the island costs about CI$8 (US$10/£4.80) per person.

The leading taxi services are D&M (tel. 345/948-2307) and Elo's Taxi (tel. 345/948-0220).

By Bike & Scooter -- You can explore almost all of Cayman Brac by bike or scooter, except for the area around the Bluff, which is too difficult. Most roads along the coast are flat and easy to traverse by bike. The main road across the west of Cayman Brac is also a relatively easy cycle route.

Many hotels either lend or rent bikes to guests. If yours doesn't, you can rent both bicycles and scooters from B & S Motor Ventures (tel. 345/948-1646; www.bandsmv.com). Scooters cost US$30 (£15) per day or US$180 (£91) for 6 to 7 days. Bikes rent for US$12.50 (£6.30) per day or US$75 (£38) for a week. If you find that the bike your hotel lends or rents is too simple, you can get a bike with gears and good brakes from B & S. The company will deliver a bike or scooter to you at any location on the island.