Spend any time in the Caribbean, and it starts to seem that almost any island worth its salt has a buried treasure or two to boast of. The Cayman Islands are no exception. The dreaded pirate Blackbeard made a hideout in this part of the world, and it's whispered that parts of his loot are still buried in any number of local caves.
Whether or not this is true, there's no question that the Cayman Islands do harbor treasures--of the natural kind. Like all good treasure, much of it is hidden--under water, not earth. Spectacular coral and fascinating undersea life are so plentiful here that Jacques Cousteau proclaimed Little Cayman one of his three favorite diving spots in the world. There's plenty above ground on this island, too, in the form of rare birds and endangered reptiles that make the islands a naturalist's paradise.
Where in the World Are the Cayman Islands?
The Cayman Islands owe their existence to the Sierra Maestra Range, a group of undersea mountains that pop above the surface of the ocean in three places, creating the three islands in the Cayman Island group. The largest (large being a relative word here) island is 22-mile-long Grand Cayman. Here you'll find the best shopping and nightlife the islands have to offer, as well as the greatest concentration of resort hotels.
Cayman Brac (the name is Welsh for "bluff) is a bit smaller and much less populated. It's most notable for its dramatic geography. The bluff that gives the island its name rises to 140 feet, and is riddled with small caves full of fruit bats (and just maybe some long lost treasure).
Ten-mile long Little Cayman is in fact the smallest of the three, and by far the least populated--only about 100 people call the island their permanent home. But it's hardly lifeless. In fact, the island is one of the best places in the Caribbean for viewing wildlife, especially fish, reptiles, and birds.
Diving in Paradise
The waters around Little Cayman harbor two of the greatest diving spots in the world. (The island has about 56 different diving sites in all.) The dramatic Bloody Bay Wall is a sheer underwater mountain face that plunges nearly a mile deep. The drop-off starts in only about 20 feet of water, so snorkelers can enjoy much of the beauty. Donning scuba gear, however, opens up a whole world of undersea drama. The wall shelters masses of black coral trees, sea plumes, and, of course, more Technicolor fish than you can imagine.
Jackson point is another popular diving spot. Here huge coral formations grow to be 30 feet high, starting in only 40 feet of water. As the aquatic the visibility in the Cayman Islands averages nearly 150 feet, both scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy this surreal coral forest and the amazing variety of fish it attracts.
And speaking of fish, if you prefer yours on a plate, Little Cayman is said to have the best bonefishing in the world.
Booby Pond Nature Reserve
It's no laughing matter. This little park with the funny name is home to what might be the largest breeding colony of red-footed boobies in the western hemisphere. Birdwatchers come from all over the world to observe this thriving group go about its daily routine, which is guaranteed to put your nine-to-five grind into perspective: The birds, which mate for life, take turns going far out to sea for food. The boobies have one major natural enemy, another local bird known as the magnificent frigate bird. The frigate birds lie in wait for the boobies as they return home after a long day of hunting--their target being not the boobies themselves, but their full loads of fish.
To defend themselves, the boobies congregate offshore until they have a good-sized flock together. Then, the birds begin a slow, spiraling climb. Suddenly, the birds decide it's time to go home. From their great height, large groups of birds go into a near-freefall, using speed and sheer numbers to confuse the frigates. And it generally seems to work--scientists say the booby population on Little Cayman is at a healthy and consistent level.
The sanctuary is located near the airport at the western end of the island. There's only one major road on Little Cayman, so you can't miss it. When you arrive, be sure to stop at the Trust House, where you'll find information about the birds in the park as well as telescopes to help you observe the daily drama.
Leapin' Lizards
If you're a herpetophile (and if you don't know what that word means, you probably aren't one), Little Cayman offers a lot for you. The rare and elusive Anulis maynardi is one unique lizard that calls the island home. The tree climbers are shy, but if you're a lucky reptile spotter you may get to check this on off your list on a visit to the island's dense interior. Two other rare species you might be lucky enough to glimpse are the extremely rare Little Cayman Island rock iguana, and the equally threatened blue iguana--both treasures in danger of being lost forever.•
