Cayman Islands

Surrounded by an underwater wonderland and abundant marine life, the Cayman Islands — Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman — are located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. Each has its own style. Underdeveloped Little Cayman is wilderness, pristine beaches, solitude and spectacular diving at Bloody Bay Wall. It is so laid back that a sign near the airport reads, "Iguanas have the right-of-way." Cayman Brac has the feel of a small, friendly town. The rugged limestone ridge that bisects it is all the rage with rock climbers, hikers and bird watchers trying to spot the elusive Cayman Brac parrot. Some divers think wreck diving off ...

Surrounded by an underwater wonderland and abundant marine life, the Cayman Islands — Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman — are located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. Each has its own style. Underdeveloped Little Cayman is wilderness, pristine beaches, solitude and spectacular diving at Bloody Bay Wall. It is so laid back that a sign near the airport reads, "Iguanas have the right-of-way." Cayman Brac has the feel of a small, friendly town. The rugged limestone ridge that bisects it is all the rage with rock climbers, hikers and bird watchers trying to spot the elusive Cayman Brac parrot. Some divers think wreck diving off the Brac's shore is the best. Others prefer wall diving off Grand Cayman, the most urbanized isle. During the day, George Town, its capital, is crowded with cruise passengers browsing the multitude of shops, sampling the savory cuisine or checking out the powdery white sand on Seven Mile Beach (actually it is 5 1/2 miles). The Stingray City excursion allows snorkelers to hug a shark or feed a stingray.

About the Expert

Roberta Sotonoff is coauthor of Eyewitness Top 10 Chicago and has contributed to many other guidebooks, including Fodor's Chicago, Fodor's Caribbean, Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call, and Thomas Cook Traveller's USA.