Cayman Islands, Little Cayman Island Information

Little Cayman, 70 mi/110 km northeast of Grand Cayman and reached by air from Grand Cayman or Cayman Brac, has good beaches, worthwhile bird watching in the winter, excellent bonefishing and, of course, superior snorkeling and diving. Be aware, though, that there's very little to do on the island besides diving and bird watching - there is no town and there are only 40 permanent residents.

Divers will certainly want to spend at least a couple of days on the island. Healthy coral reefs surround the island, many beginning just a short way from the beach. A little farther out, the reef plunges dramatically into the blue abyss. These drop-offs, some of which begin only 18 ft/6 m beneath the surface, attract many species of fish - and lots of divers. Bloody Bay Wall is the most vertical, and most popular, of Little Cayman's walls. A few of the island's dive sites are truly world-class. We especially like the Mixing Bowl, where Bloody Bay Wall meets Jackson's Wall. This underwater convergence draws lots of marine life, from sharks and eagle rays to tiny, reclusive sailfin blennies. You could spend days exploring this site and not get bored.

Bird-watchers will enjoy the Booby Pond Nature Reserve, home to an estimated 3,500 pairs of red-footed boobies (one of the largest breeding colonies in the Western Hemisphere) and 100 pairs of magnificent frigate birds. The new Little Cayman Spa offers sea-salt body scrubs, seaweed wraps, facials and massages with all-natural products. Spa packages are available through the Little Cayman Beach Resort across the street.