The Cayman Islands are located in the western Caribbean Sea . They are the peaks of a massive underwater ridge, on the edge of the Cayman Trench, 8000 feet deep. The islands lie in the centre of the Caribbean south of Cuba and North West of Jamaica . But even Grand Cayman, the largest of the three islands, is not visible on many maps. The three islands are situated about 480 miles (770 km) south of Miami, 150 miles (240 km) south of Cuba, and 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Jamaica. Grand Cayman is by far the biggest, with an area of 76 square miles (197  km²). The two " Sister Islands " of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are located about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of Grand Cayman and have areas of 14 square miles (36 km²) and 10 square miles (25.9 km²) respectively.

All three islands were formed by large coral heads covering submerged ice age peaks of the western extension of the Cuban Sierra Maestra range. Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are mostly flat. Cayman Brac has The Bluff, which rises to 140 feet (42.6 m) above sea level, the highest point of all three islands.

How to get there?

Grand Cayman is very easy to get to, with direct flights from North America and Europe. Several airlines serve the Islands, including the national airline Cayman Airways, American Airlines, Northwest, Delta, Continental, Air Canada, British Airways, and Air Jamaica. The national carrier serves Miami, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Chicago; Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica; Havana, Cuba; and Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Direct links with other US gateways, such as Atlanta, New York and Charlotte, are provided by the US carriers serving the Islands.

British Airways operates a twice-weekly direct flight from London to Grand Cayman and return, and Air Canada operates once-weekly from Toronto.

When to dive?

The best time to dive the Cayman Islands depends on what sort of weather you like. The Caymans’ hottest period is from May to November. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70’s. The rainy season starts in May and peaks in October. Rains are normally short and intense. Run-off has little effect on Grand Cayman’s water clarity, which averages about 135 feet horizontally on the deeper reefs.

It is said that the water visibility on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman is better at most times of the year so this is something to consider. Water temperatures vary, from the upper 70s in the winter to low 80s during the summer. Trade winds are out of the northeast in the winter and the southeast during the summer. Northwesterly storms can occur from December through April.

Virtual Dive Grand Cayman Here

Currency - (Exchange Rate)

The Cayman Islands print their own currency, the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD), which is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD = 1.227 USD.  Thus, the C.I. Dollar's rate of exchange with all other countries is directly tied to the U.S. dollar's rate of exchange with those same countries. It is generally accepted that US $1.00 cash equals CI $0.80 (eighty cents CI).

Travelers' checks and major credit cards are widely accepted at most stores. ATMs accepting MasterCard and Visa with Cirrus affiliation are readily available, particularly on Grand Cayman; you usually have the option of U.S. or Cayman dollars. The Cayman dollar (CI$) is made up of notes of $1, $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100. There's no $20 bill.

There's no need for visitors to exchange their US dollars into local currency. Many merchants quote their prices in both CI$ and US$ and you can pay in either currency. If you pay in US$, you will receive your change in CI$.

Where to Stay?

Okay, when you are in Grand Cayman, you will want to dive with Sunset House. Known worldwide as Grand Cayman's premiere dive resort. You will want to contact Mike Pinnington before hand through phone or email and he can hook you up with a room for as many people as you like.

This place is very cool, you have your own dive locker, you can walk right down to the ocean and jump in, swim out about 200 ft, and you are at the 8000 ft wall. They also can take you all around the island to any dive spot that you desire. When you come back, there is a nice tropical bar and a pool that you can relax at. Sunset House in Grand Cayman is where it's at, trust us, we have been to every dive shop/resort there, and Mike from Sunset House provides the best hospitality and diving.

Check out Sunset House

Time Zone-

Hook-Ups

Treat this information like it's your best friend...well I guess that all depends on what your best friend is like. Anyways, for diving in Grand Cayman, you will need some tips and local contacts, so here goes.

Grand Cayman

Okay, so there's no question that when you dive in Grand Cayman, you should dive with Mike Pinnington from Sunset House, located on the West End of Grand Cayman. Or, if you want to dive the east side, drive on over (about 1 hour) to dive with Ocean Frontiers.

A must do, is to head up to Sting Ray City, with Sunset House. This place is amazing. And no, these stingrays are not dangerous, you have nothing to worry about, they are accustomed to people. Ever since the "inncident" with Steve Irwin, people are getting scared of these creatures, but honestly, when they are swimming around you, you understand how smart and harmless they actually are. They just want to play.

When in town, about a 2 minute drive from Sunset House, there are a town of shopping centers and restaurants. Check out Senor Frogs and the Hard Rock Cafe. Also keep your ears open for the happy hours at the local restaurants. (If you buy a drink, the food is free).

There is a TON more information on our first issue of Dive Zero (Grand Cayman Issue).

Order the DVD or subscription, have it in 3 days, watch it in high definition and you will see why Grand Cayman is an amazing place for divers and travelers alike.