Cayman Islands Honeymoon

In the Caymans, discover one of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling and scuba diving destinations as well as unspoiled white-sand beaches, fine dining restaurants and excellent resorts – just perfect for a honeymoon holiday or romantic getaway.

A British Crown Colony since 1670, the Cayman Islands comprise three islands – Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Together they form the tip of a vast underwater mountain range that peeks above the surrounding waters – the highest point in the Caymans is just 18.2m above sea level.

On Grand Cayman, discover an expansive palm-fringed shoreline indented with sheltered bays, hidden coves and long uninterrupted stretches of powder-white beaches that lie within reef-protected lagoons.

Things to do and see
Dip your toes into the soft sand of Seven Mile Beach facing the turquoise waters of West Bay, where a huge array of water sports are just a short stroll from several 5-star resorts. See endangered green sea turtles being raised at the Boatswain’s Beach marine conservation park, complete with a snorkelling lagoon and free-flight aviary.

Snorkel or dive the gin-clear waters at Stingray City where you can feed and pet a school of ‘friendly’ stingrays or avoid getting wet by taking a semi-submersible cruise to shallow offshore reefs to see colourful reef fish. Hook up a charter and engage in some deep-water trolling for blue marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi and tuna, or cast for bonefish in shallow coastal waters.

On land, visit Pedro St James Castle, an 18th century plantation house and the oldest stone building on the island, ponder the remains of an old fort in nearby Bodden Town then watch impressive 7m-high geysers erupt from coastal blowholes just east of town. Hike through an ancient subtropical forest on the 3.2km-long Mastic Trail linking Frank Sound to Old Man Bay.

Look out for the endangered Cayman blue iguana in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, a 26ha garden boasting a profusion of cacti, shrubs and native flowers. Then in the islands' capital, George Town, stroll harbourfront streets lined with colourful traditional buildings and learn about the islands’ history at the National Museum.

Later, enjoy a beer or cocktails in one of the beach bars along Seven Mile Beach or at Rum Point. After dinner, party the night away at one of many local nightclubs.

Escape the crowds by visiting Little Cayman, a 16km-long paradise of pristine wetlands, secluded powder-soft white-sand beaches, ideal fly and deep-water fishing and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world. The reefs and underwater cliffs that encircle Little Cayman are home to more than 500 species of fish and 150 different types of coral.

Look out for Christmas tree worms, sea cucumbers, horse-eye jacks, triggerfish, hawksbill turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, barracudas, groupers and sharks. Head to the Jackson Marine Park and the famous dive site of Bloody Bay Wall, where you can dive a 1.8km descent past sheer vertical walls covered with corals and sponges and teeming with rainbow-hued reef fish.

Birdwatchers should visit the National Trust Booby Pond Nature Reserve to spot more than 20,000 red-footed boobies, the world's largest colony.

On equally secluded Cayman Brac, discover more excellent dive sites, good fishing, pristine white-sand beaches and friendly residents. Hike the ‘brac', a 42m-high limestone bluff that bisects the 19km-long island and covers much of the eastern end. The bluff offers several hiking trails leading to quiet beaches and offering panoramic sea views.

Along the way, look out for the elusive Cayman Brac parrot and explore some of the more than 170 caves that honeycomb the heights; try to spot fruit bats clinging to the caverns’ ceilings. Choose from around 50 prime dive sites, including the wreck of Captain Keith Tibbetts, a former Russian frigate that now sits 180m offshore in 34m of water; the stern is just 17m below the surface and the wreck teems with colourful reef fish.

Anglers can cast for bonefish or hook up a deep-sea charter for wahoo, sailfish, marlin, tuna, grouper and snapper.

Accommodation
Whichever island you choose, the Caymans offer an excellent choice of beachfront accommodation options, including: the stylish Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Beach Suites and the elegant Westin Casuarina Resort on Grand Cayman; Little Cayman’s luxurious Club at Little Cayman and the charming pastel-coloured Little Cayman Beach Resort; and family friendly Brac Reef Beach Resort and the rather unique Walton’s Mango Manor, both on Cayman Brac.

Best time to visit Cayman Islands? The best time for a honeymoon in the Cayman Islands is during the winter months of November to April when the temperature averages a balmy 25°C. The summer months (and rainy season) of May to October average 28°C; sunny days are tempered by short and usually intense downpours, which quickly clear to reveal sunny skies.

The climate in the Cayman Islands is subtropical year round. The official hurricane season lasts from 1 June to 30 November. High season begins in mid-December and continues through to early/mid-April. For more climate info: Cayman Islands Weather Guide

During the low season, from mid-April to mid-December, you can often get holiday discounts of up to 50 per cent; note however that while the hotels are open during this period, many restaurants and bars close for the season.

Location The Cayman Islands are located 290km northwest of Jamaica, 240km south of Cuba and 770km south of Miami. At 36km long and 13km wide, Grand Cayman is the largest and most populated island of the three low-lying islands that make up this British Crown Colony.

Little Cayman and Cayman Brac lie around 143km northeast of Grand Cayman and are separated from each other by a 90km-wide channel. The Cayman Trough between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica is the deepest part of the Caribbean.

Getting there By air, Grand Cayman receives daily non-stop flights from North America, Europe and other Caribbean islands. How to get to the Cayman Islands.