Scuba diving in

Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

First sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1503, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac have a rich history of swashbuckling, pioneering, and pirating. Originally named “Las Tortugas” by Columbus, these two islands became popular hangouts for explorers and buccaneers, thanks to a reliable source of turtle meat and fresh drinking water. In fact, legend has it, the lost treasure troves of infamous pirates such as Edward ‘Blackbeard’ Teach may still be hidden amongst the island landscapes. And, while those days are long gone, both islands maintain a wonderful old-world, frontier-style feeling.

Separated from Grand Cayman by around 100 kilometres, these tiny islands lie just a little too far off the beaten path for many visitors, meaning those that do make the journey are welcomed by a sense of solitude and the Caribbean’s renowned slow-paced living. Expect sun-drenched ocean-front settlements, glorious beaches, and miles of untouched tropical wilderness - where iguanas rule the roads and parrots patrol the canopy. And that’s just on land, for beneath the waves these islands offer other treasures, from simple, stress-free shore diving, to sheer walls and even a wreck or two.

Cayman Brac is home to the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport and Cayman Airways operates around seven flights a week from Miami to Cayman Brac, while flights from other overseas destinations will likely land in Grand Cayman. Little Cayman’s modest airstrip - which hasn’t long been paved - is located at the southwest tip of the island and receives daily inter-island flights operated by Cayman Airways.

Little Cayman does not accept international flights, meaning visitors and residents must first land on Grand Cayman or Cayman Brac. Boats must also pass through Immigration and Customs on either of these two islands if planning to anchor off any of Little Cayman’s designated moorings.

Once on Cayman Brac, you can get around using taxis, or rent a car or bike - or walk. Taxi services are a little disorganised here, but do exist, and car rentals are best booked in advance. Rental scooters are a good option, as are bicycles, which can often be hired from your hotel. You’ll find one car rental outlet on Little Cayman, and no official bike rental shops - although most hotels and guest houses will have bikes for guests to use. The roads around both islands are fairly flat and easy to ride, except for the area around the bluff on Cayman Brac and the unpaved East End of Little Cayman.

Cayman Brac is the most easterly - and authentic - of the Cayman Islands, and is ideal for outdoors adventures. Tourism appears to be a second thought here, with livelihoods such as fishing still taking centre stage. And, while the island now has many modern conveniences, it’s the sleepy, small-island atmosphere that draws most visitors. You’ll find no actual towns on the island, just a few small settlements scattered amongst the lush green forests and criss-crossing hiking trails.

There are plenty of condos and villas on the north and south coasts of Cayman Brac, while many of the hotels are located on the southwest coast. No matter where on the island you stay, many hotels and condos will have their own private beach or pool, providing the ideal place to unwind after a day of adventure.

Little Cayman is the smallest of the three Cayman Islands, and is home to less than 200 permanent residents and around 2,000 critically endangered iguanas. This island boasts a unique ‘old world’ charm - electricity didn’t make it here until the ‘90s - and its secluded beaches and barefoot-boutique atmosphere create a dreamy isolation that is perfect for couples. Little Cayman itself has just one proper swimming beach, known as Point of Sand, which boasts a protective reef line and soft sand underfoot.

You’ll find a handful of hotels and resorts on Little Cayman along with villas, condos and guesthouses - enough of a selection for visitors of all preferences and budgets.

The seasons in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are very similar to the larger island of Grand Cayman to the west. Dry season here runs from December to April, when the cool northeast trade winds help to moderate temperatures - creating a dry and pleasantly warm climate. Occasional windy and overcast days are not unheard of during this period, but they are few and far between. Temperatures average 24-28°C on land and 25-28°C in the water. Visibility stays around 18-30 metres throughout the year.

These islands’ rainy season lasts from May through November, bringing intermittent short and intense rain showers, followed by clear skies and plenty of sun. Average temperatures rise by a few degrees during this time, hitting around 27-31°C on land and 28-30°C in the water. The official hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest chances of a serious storm occurring around September. Divers often avoid this month, as wind and waves can make many of the northern dive sites such as Jackson Reef and Blood Bay Wall inaccessible for divers.

Little Cayman's Booby Pond Nature Reserve supports the largest red-footed booby population in the Caribbean. The island also has the only substantial population of the critically endangered Lesser Caymans iguana. These iguanas are easy to spot throughout the island, but a convenient boardwalk allows visitors to view one of their nesting areas. And incredibly, this small island is home to even more struggling species, including the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle, and the threatened West Indian whistling duck.

A research centre located on the north side of Little Cayman is part of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute - a not-for-profit founded in 1998 to protect coral reefs. Informative tours of the impressive facility can be organised in advance. You can also find one of the world’s oldest species of reptiles in Little Cayman, the Anolis maynardi, and a strange saltwater lake filled with landlocked tarpon - a typically open water fish. The waters around Little Cayman are home to two marine parks, located on the southwest and northwest coasts of the island, as well as a designated grouper spawning site on the southern tip and several replenishment zones.

Cayman Brac has two marine parks on the southern coast, and one to the northwest, and is also home to several replenishment zones. Inland, the Brac Parrot Reserve supports breeding pairs of the Cayman Brac parrot within a protected area of pristine, ancient dry forest. Other birds can also be found here including the red-legged thrush, white-crowned pigeon, and black-whiskered vireo.