The Cayman Islands, currently a British Commonwealth, were first discovered by Christopher Columbus on May 16, 1503. He gave it the name "Tortuga" - meaning "Turtle" in Spanish. The name didn't stick though, and the island came to be known as Grand Cayman when it was first settled by the British in the early nineteenth century. The Islands affairs were handled from Jamaica, also a British colony at the time, from 1863 to their independence in 1962.

After Jamaica (also the closest island to the Caymans) declared it's independence, Grand Cayman really hit it big as a tourist spot, and became known for its banking facilities in the 1970's. These industries have continued to thrive to the present, with the Cayman Islands drawing a good chunk of its revenue from US and Canadian tourism, and nearly the rest from its banking centers, which now rival even Switzerland. Comprising just under 100 square miles between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, the three islands that make up the Caymans, there is a suprising amount of variety to the land and its people. The diving in Cayman is often considered among the best in the world, and almost any activity you can imagine can be found here. From parasailing to caving, rock climbing to beach volleyball and anything in between there's no lack of venues to keep you entertained.

Grand Cayman's Sights and Attractions

For those who like to stay in, Grand Cayman has its share of full-service hotels, all-inclusive resorts and dine-in restaurants. For the rest of us though, there's plenty of scenery! Aside from the amazing sites you'll see diving, we've put together some of the most awe-inspiring places on the island too.

Botanical Park

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Garden, located in North Side, provides a pleasant change to the ordinarily busy scenery of Georgetown that most will quickly become familiar with. With pleasant nature walks in the Heritage Garden, trails through the un-altered wetlands and the gardens stunning display of color, the Botanic Gardens are a wonderful, natural site for kids and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. The botanical park is located in the district of North Side, about 45 minutes from Georgetown. For admission fees or more information, please contact the park at (345) 947-9462 or by e-mail at guthrie@candw.ky

East End Lighthouse

The East End of Grand Cayman has forever been a difficult passage for merchant vessels, and has seen more than its share of wrecks. Just before the dawn of the twentieth century, Grand Cayman finally built its first lighthouse in an effort to stave off catastrophes like the Ten Sail in Gun Bay and other perilous ports on East End. Operated by the Port authority, the Lighthouse has become a major tourist attraction and has undergone many simple improvements for the enjoyment of visitors. A mere 37 steps to the top, the view is well worth the climb.

Pedro St James

Pedro St James was orriginally a 19th century plantation, and is now the oldest building on the island, and Grand Cayman's first national landmark. Recently, the National Trust has restored much of Pedro St. James, and it has become a popular destination for weddings and gatherings. The beautifully landscaped grounds and history of the site make it well worth the trip.

Seven Mile Beach

Grand Cayman is also home to the world-famous seven-mile beach. Though it is really only five and a half miles long, seven mile beach is the major tourist center for Grand Cayman.

Located right by the capitol city of Georgetown, many of the islands most well-known resorts are along seven-mile beach, where its pristine white sand beaches and inviting waters do most of the selling for these resorts.

Turtle Farm

One of Grand Cayman's most well-known attractions is its turtle farm. The Turtle Farm is the only self-sufficient turtle farm in the world, and currently houses over 16,000 sea turtles. Since the 1980's, the turtle farm has released over 29,000 turtles back into the wild.

Contact on (345) 945 1611 or e-mail us at diversdown@diversdown.net