The island country consists of Grand Cayman, largest and most
populous of the trio; and the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac
and Little Cayman, which lie approximately 89 miles
east-northeast of Grand Cayman and are separated from each other by a channel about seven
miles wide.
The Cayman Islands is a
British Crown Colony located in the western Caribbean, 480 miles south of Miami, 150 miles
south of Cuba and 180 miles northwest of Jamaica.
The total land mass of the three islands is 100 square miles. Grand Cayman occupies 76 square miles; Cayman Brac, 14
square miles and Little Cayman, 10 square miles. Grand Cayman is approximately 22 miles
long and 8 miles at its widest point, reaching a maximum elevation at East End of 60 ft.
Between the Cayman Islands and
Jamaica lies the deepest part of the Caribbean, the Cayman Trough, which is over four
miles deep. South of Cayman is the Bartlett Deep where depths of over 18,000 ft. have been
recorded. All three islands are surrounded by healthy coral reefs which lie at the top of
dramatic walls and drop-offs close to shore, creating ideal conditions for diving and
sportfishing.
The three islands are outcroppings, the tops of a submarine mountain range called the
Cayman Ridge, which extends west southwest for the Sierra Maestra range off the southeast
part of Cuba to the Misteriosa Bank near Belize. The islands lack rivers or streams
because of the porous nature of the limestone rock. It is this lack of runoff which gives
the surrounding Caribbean Sea exceptional visibility, often well over 120 ft.
The three islands are limestone outcroppings, the tops of a submarine mountain range
called the Cayman Ridge, which extends west southwest for the Sierra Maestra range off the
southeast part of Cuba to the Misteriosa Bank near Belize. The islands lack rivers or
streams because of the porous nature of the limestone rock. Is it this lack of runoff
which gives the surrounding Caribbean Sea exceptional visibility, often well over 120 ft.
Here are several other
points of interest thay you may want check out when your
not diving, snorkeling or enjoying the beaches.
Cayman Islands
Turtle Farm - Visitors may leisurely walk around the tanks observing the
green sea turtles from the tiniest hatchlings in shaded tanks, to the massive adults
swimming in the breeding pond. A selected group of young turtles are set aside to be held
for that unique photo opportunity.
Bodden Town
- Caymans First Capital originally called "South Side", the name Bodden Town
appears to have first been used in 1773 when a visiting British navy surveyor, noting the
predominance of families with the name "Bodden" remarked: At this time
there are 21(families) at the South Side, which we have called Bodden Town.
Queen Elizabeth
II Botanic Park - You see a wide variety of plants, birds and small animals,
and you might just see including the agouti (often referred to as the Cayman rabbit) and
the indigenous blue iguana.
Diving Information
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Known worldwide as premier
diving destinations, the Cayman Islands continue to protect their legacy with
conscientious reef preservation, utilizing rotation of moored sites and enthusiastic diver
education, ensuring enjoyment for visitors to come many years in the future.
Island Information
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