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Frommer's Favorite Experiences
"Petting" the Stingrays: Called the "world's best 4m (13-ft.) dive site," Stingray City lies in Grand Cayman's North Sound. Adventuresome snorkelers and divers can swim among, pet, and feed 30 to 50 graceful, "tame" Atlantic Southern stingrays. Stingray City is a phenomenon unique to the Cayman Islands, but don't expect to find us there.
Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands: Rainbow-hued marine life and an incredible variety of dive sites, including shipwrecks and dramatic "wall dives," combine to make the Cayman Islands perhaps the single most popular spot for scuba diving in the Western Hemisphere. Many sites lie offshore of Grand Cayman, but the archipelago's smaller islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, are also filled with pristine reefs and dramatic drop-offs, including Little Cayman's Bloody Bay Wall, hailed as the most sensational wall dive in the Caribbean.
Exploring Deep into the Wild Interior: On Grand Cayman you can walk back in time on the 3.2km (2-mile) Mastic Trail, which runs through the Caribbean's best example of a dry subtropical forest. A wide variety of plants and animals unique to the Cayman Islands live in this area, where the woodland has evolved undisturbed for 2 million years.
Down into the Deep in a Submarine: Atlantis Adventures and its competitor, Nautilus, will take you under the sea to explore the vivid, colorful life of one of the most incredible marine habitats on the planet, all without getting wet. The companies cover the full spectrum of submarine experiences, from trips to the teeming shallow reefs and shipwrecks of George Town Harbour, to voyages to coral canyons at 30m (98 ft.). You can even take a trip to the Cayman Wall at 300m (984 ft.).
Spending the Day on Seven Mile Beach: This strip of golden sand, running the length of the western side of Grand Cayman, is what makes this island a year-round destination. Soft sands, roped-off swimming sections, and casuarina shade trees make for perfect Caribbean beachfront charm. For jogging, sunning, swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just plain walking, this is one of the greatest beachfronts in the Western Hemisphere, complemented by a string of hotels, restaurants, and shops that lines the entire length of the beach.
Visiting the World's Only Green Sea Turtle Farm: The Cayman Turtle Farm was created to provide a safe habitat for the endangered green sea turtle. Thousands of these magnificent creatures are hatched and raised here.
Going Fishin': Fishing is the "national sport" of the Cayman Islands -- a tremendously popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. The catches (which can turn up as close as .4km/ 1/4 mile offshore on all three islands) include such prizes as blue marlin, wahoo, dolphin (mahimahi), tuna, and other species. Bonefishermen will be lured to the flats off Little Cayman.
Snorkeling in an Underwater Paradise: Great snorkeling, which can be fun for the entire family, is found close to the shore of all three islands. From encounters with the rays of Stingray City to explorations of shipwrecks, underwater thrills galore await.
Escaping to Little Cayman: As much as we like to visit Grand Cayman, we also like to escape from it sometimes. If you want a place where the only footprints in the sand will be yours, head for Little Cayman, a tiny, cigar-shaped island only 16km (10 miles) long. Once here, you'll discover deserted, pearl-white-sand beaches; spectacular bonefishing; barbecue cookouts under the stars; and some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. See chapter 10.
Boating Over to Owen Island for a Picnic: Our favorite picnic spot in all of the Caribbean is Owen Island, 180m (590 ft.) off the shore of Little Cayman. Easily accessible by rowboat, these 4.4 hectares (11 acres) are pure bliss. You'll find a white-sand beach and a blue lagoon.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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