Article by Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
GRAND CAYMAN
Crystal-clear water, miles of whitesand beaches and some of the world’s best diving have made the Cayman Islands one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. Less than 500 miles south of Miami, the largest of the three Caymans is Grand Cayman, a sophisticated 76-square-mile tourist hub. And although its smaller sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, see far less tourist traffic, they’re just a quick flight away and definitely worth a day trip if time permits.
Visitors who fly in on the island’s national airline, Cayman Airways, start their vacay the moment they board with complimentary Tortuga rum punch in-flight. And cruisers dock right in the waterfront capital, George Town, where shops and restaurants are steps from the gangway. But regardless of how you get here, make Seven Mile Beach your first stop. The lively resort-lined strand on Grand Cayman’s west coast is a must for sun-seekers, swimmers and snorkelers. Searching for a quieter scene? Nearby Smith Cove (also known as Smith Barcadere) is a chill South Sound spot with tiny twin beaches and great snorkeling. If you visit during the week, a flock of chickens may well be your only company.
Divers will be enchanted by Grand Cayman’s reef, 60 feet of drop-offs and more than 250 dive sites, many less than a half-mile offshore. And even the water-wary will be tempted to take the plunge at Stingray City, a sandbar that’s home to hundreds of Southern Atlantic stingrays. Hop a cruise to this open-water wonder, then wade in waist-deep to play with the gentle gliders. redsailcayman.com
At Pedro St. James, tourists can discover Grand Cayman’s colorful heritage at interactive exhibits housed in the island’s oldest surviving stone building, a meticulously restored three-story, 18th-century mansion set amid sprawling Great Pedro Bluff.
STAY OVER
On the northernmost end of Seven Mile Beach, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa has 266 slick rooms, all but 10 with ocean views. But the buzz is all about the $10,000-a-night corner penthouse and the spa’s Turkish bath, one of only three in the Caribbean. seafireresortandspa.com
Parrotheads (aka Jimmy Buffett fans) and their pals can roost at the Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman, an oasis inspired by the singer’s laid-back lifestyle and lyrics. The resort has four pools, a License To Chill Bar and complimentary nightly band performances. margaritavilleresortgrandcayman.com
DINE OUT
Every Wednesday, the West Bay shopping and entertainment center Camana Bay hosts its Flavour Tour, a two-hour stroll during which you can sip and snack on fare from several of its restaurants and bars. At $89 per person it’s a steal. camanabay.com
The ultimate special-occasion splurge, Blue by Eric Ripert at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is the Caribbean’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant, offering more than 700 wines and seafood tasting menus that cost around $200 a head. ritzcarlton.com
SIDE TRIP
Only a five-minute flight away, sister island Cayman Brac (population 2,000) feels a world apart. Your to-do list may include exploring the sunken Russian warship MV Tibbets or topside diversions such as quaffing a cold Caybrew on any of 10 secluded beaches. Just don’t leave without swinging by Pioneer Bakery for Brac bread, the addictive circular loaf for which the island is famous. caymanairways.com
http://www.orlandomagazine.com/Orlando-Magazine/June-2018/Caribbean-Getaways-Islands-in-the-Sun/