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From the very inception of exotic
warm water dive travel, the Cayman
Islands have stood at the pinnacle
of desirability. Ask any traveling
diver the primary reasons and you
will find the following
qualifications: easy accessibility,
crystal clear water, lush coral
reefs, and stupendous walls and a
numerous and gregarious fish
population. Include a large number
of dedicated dive resorts staffed by
a community of very professional
dive instructors and dive masters
and supplemented by a fleet of state
of the art dive boats. Stir into
this mix a sincere desire of the
dive staff to share with their
guests the finest offerings of this
superb undersea realm. This
combination of qualities has for
decades consistently placed the
Cayman Islands within the top three
Caribbean dive destinations. The
desirable qualities are not purely
in the underwater realm. The three
islands in this island group - Grand
Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little
Cayman - each offer very distinct
and fulfilling qualities, both above
and below the waterline. Understand
this: Each island will deliver some
of the finest diving you will find
in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman, the
biggest island, has been the center
of dive activity for decades. Today,
it is by far the well-developed of
the island group. If you prefer a
sophisticated atmosphere including
everything from straightforward
dedicated dive resorts to five-star
hotels, access to fine dining, great
shopping potential and a more
concentrated group of people, the
west side of the island will bring
great satisfaction. This is the
location of George Town, the
business and government center of
the islands, as well as the finest
stretch of beach in Grand Cayman,
Seven Mile Beach. Extending north
from town to West End, Seven Mile
Beach is a strand of pure white,
sugar-fine sand bordered by one of
the most gorgeous turquoise and
azure water scenes you could ever
imagine. As with each of the Cayman
Islands, this is the essence of
Caribbean beauty. The blending hues
of green and light blue eventually
drop off into the cobalt blue of the
deep water of the Cayman Trench. The
walls dropping into this trench
(starting anywhere from 40 feet or
deeper) sport some of the finest
coral and sponge formations and reef
structures you will find anywhere.
If you want to go beyond the
standard 100 foot limit, there is an
option.
A deep sea submersible, once used
for serious deep-sea research,
allows braver adventurers (4 at a
time) to view the fascinating marine
life found in the realm beyond the
penetration of light, down to 800
feet. For non-divers or folks
unwilling to take it to that level,
try a shallow water submarine
designed for experiencing the reef
through large portholes. Massive
Yellow Sponges abound in the crystal
waters Don't think the underwater
world is only found off the west end
of Grand Cayman. The entire island
is ringed with a barrier reef that
gives way to precipitous drops into
the deep blue. Richly-colored
sponges hang off coral walls
rivaling those found anywhere. Try
north, south and east - all have a
wealth of diverse sites. Creature
encounters are one of the most
fascinating endeavors for divers and
Grand Cayman has one of the best.
Stingray City has become world
famous for a great reason. A
gathering of Southern Stingrays,
some ranging to four feet or more in
width, gather in 10 feet of water in
the northern region. Often lost in
the shadow of their bigger sister,
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman embody
the essence of the Cayman Islands.
They are quiet, peaceful and
friendly. Walk down the street and
everyone will say hello. Drive and
everyone will smile and wave. Grand
Cayman is the undeniable population
center of the island group, because
Cayman Brac weighs in with only 1500
people while Little Cayman boasts a
strong 100 permanent residents.
Traffic jams? Not a chance.
Sunshine, hammocks, relaxation,
conversation, great diving; this is
what these islands deliver.
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