Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
After a three night, three day voyage we arrived in the Cayman Islands! What a treat, the island is beautiful, surrounded by shallow coral reefs. It is a flat island, with gorgeous white sand beaches and numerous mangroves. Our marina, Cayman Island Yacht Club, was on the north side of the island, just inside the huge North Sound. The entrance had many channels of water with large luxurious homes. We quickly realized this island isn't a long range cruising destination for private boats, but it is a big cruise ship destination. The marina consisted mainly of local fishing and tour boats. It really is paradise, with aqua blue water and a daily high of 85 degrees :)
Enjoying a refreshing drink out after a long voyage!
Tacos and Margaritas at the Cabana Bar (Kimpton Hotel)
We used our folding bikes often as the roads are well paved on the island. There is a beach called Seven Mile Beach on the west side, dotted with high end hotels such as the Kimpton (the closest one to us), Marriott and Ritz-Carlton. The main town, Georgetown, is on the south side, and is the main port for cruise ships that arrive daily. The northeast and east side of the island are less touristy and busy, with random homes, stores etc. We rented a car and explored the island, making it to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Garden, St Pedro's House (oldest house on the island built in 1793), Rum Point (beautiful homes and airbnb cottages in a remote area) and Camana Bay (shopping area with great restaurants). The Kimpton Hotel was just a few kilometers away from our marina so we frequented it for coffee runs, the cabana bar, and a pedicure for me :)
A quick stop on our cruise around the island
A Czech Beach Bar for lunch? Gotta love it
Blue Iguana found only on Cayman (endangered)
Up close and personal with an upside down Bananaquit Bird! (Queen Elizabeth Botanical Garden)
The foliage in Cayman is beautiful
More cool foliage
Since Cayman Island is a British territory, there quite a few people with English accents, but it is definitely a hodge podge of different nationalities. The US dollar is widely used but they do have their own Cayman currency. (worth $1.20 US!!) Also, driving on the left side of the road is the norm here (British), which is a challenge when you are not used to it! ( I left that challenge up to Darryn, he did great). The island is named after caymans (small alligators) but they are no longer found on these islands. We saw endangered blue iguanas at the botanical garden that are specific to Cayman. The island is also covered with wild roosters and chickens! They are everywhere, running around doing their thing!
Roosters and chickens roam the island
Example of a beautiful airbnb home in Rum Point
The local houses on Cayman are pastel colored, usually blue, pink or green
Palm trees and mangroves cover the island
Stingray City is a famous area in the north sound where stingrays congregate. We heard you can swim with them here, so we decided to take a tour via a catamaran and check it out. Not only did we swim with the stingrays, we touched and held them, and some people even fed them squid! They were everywhere, swimming all round us, knocking into us! It was a very cool experience. The tour also included snorkeling on the reef, stopping at Starfish Point and cruising the mangroves. It was an awesome experience we will never forget.
Holding a stingray...how cool is this???
Swimming with the stingrays
Starfish Point
This bizarre rock formation is called "Hell" for good reason! It is millions of years old!
Camana Bay viewpoint
We really enjoyed our nine days on Grand Cayman. We are a little sad to leave, but excited for our next adventure to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. It will be almost 400 miles and two nights, three days to get there. We hope to make it back to this beautiful island!