Grand Cayman, South Live Cam

The Cayman Islands are a “Crown Colony” (like Bermuda) that enjoys the political benefits, protection, language, law and tradition of the British Monarchy. We get royal visits and observe British holidays. Grand Cayman is a Safe Island. They have a prison and use it. They have a strong government and enforce the laws. Convenient airline flights. There are eight major (and 3-4 other) airlines with 30+ daily direct flights to Grand Cayman. No need to change planes outside the U.S. The most flights are on Saturday, so that is one reason why many of the villas roll-over on Saturdays.

Because of its economic vitality, Grand Cayman enjoys the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. It has the highest GDP per capital, the lowest unemployment rate, and the highest literacy rate in the Caribbean. This all results in a very low crime rate, with no peddlers on the beaches. Prison terms are very harsh for drug trafficking. Handguns are forbidden. Grand Cayman is the 5th largest financial center in the world; behind New York, Tokyo, London and Hong Kong. The foreign people who work here would not tolerate substandard utilities, water, hospitals, telecommunications and grocery stores.

Grand Cayman is very family-oriented. There are no casinos or “gentleman clubs” that I know of; and we have never even heard the word “prostitution” on the island. This results in a safer environment for your family, as those distractions tend to attract “undesirables” from poorer countries.

A large number (40+) of excellent restaurants located all around the island. Many modern supermarkets that carry a wide variety of items shipped in daily. Beautiful beaches/water for snorkeling/diving. Consistently ranked in the top 5 in the world for dive destinations. The island even has 2 competing submarine tour companies (Atlantis & Nautilus), a helicopter tour operator and will have a "Dolphin Interaction Experience".

Many activities. From horseback riding to deep-sea fishing, Grand Cayman offers many activities to its visitors. The Queen’s Botanical Park is a real treat, as well as the mandatory catamaran trip to “Stingray City”, or you could try a (deep submersible) submarine ride to 1000 ft!

The climate varies only 10 degrees (on average) from Winter to Summer, and the constant trade winds keep the humidity low. July/August; while oppressively hot in the eastern U.S.; are very popular months in Grand Cayman, because the high temperatures are in the low 90s, with reasonable humidity and a pleasant breeze! Also; rainfall on the North and East coasts are only about 20" per year, compared to Georgetown, which gets over 40"/year (something about the clouds picking up a lot of evaporative moisture as they travel over the island).

Personal conveniences include 110V power, US$ acceptance (no currency exchange) and efficient airport customs processing. Additionally, there are at least 10 rental car agencies adjacent to the airport (unlike Bermuda or other islands where you can’t rent a car, and must either use a dangerous moped or expensive taxi). We do, however, drive on the left like the British (easier than you think).

Modern healthcare facilities. In addition to two modern hospitals in Georgetown staffed predominantly by doctors from Canada, Australia and the U.S.; there is an emergency clinic on the Northside of the island. The clinic also has an ambulance. The hospital also has a hyperbaric chamber (and a back-up) for decompression sickness.

Cayman Activities

Morritts Beach Resort - Morritts is a time share resort located on the northeast point of the island. It is an enormous complex, and between the two largest oceanfront buildings is a fantastic infinity pool with hot tub and kiddie pool too, as well as a swim up bar. The beach at Morritts (and the whole island for that matter) is technically public. Morritts is trying to sell timeshares, and they invite many people to enjoy their amenities to that end. As long as you are spending money and enjoying their hospitality, they are glad to have you (especially if you will take the tour of their wonderful property). They also offer rental watersports equipment and some of the best windsurfing in the Caribbean. Red Sail Sports also owns/operates Morritts' Tortuga Divers concession, so there are dive boats available there as well if Ocean Frontiers boats are full and can't accommodate. Their pier is under construction currently.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Garden - In roughly the middle of the island is a 65 acres oasis of lush gardens and walking trails maintained by the Cayman Islands to preserve the indigenous species and provide habitat for native fauna as well (mostly iguanas). The Botanical Garden is open from 9AM - 6:30PM every day and charges a nominal fee for entrance. It is a great shaded walk for some exercise, and there are places to rest along the route, including a wedding gazebo overlooking a lake. The Botanical Gardens are also available for private affairs in the evenings (weddings, etc.) Bring a bottle of water for the walk and your camera. There are many species of tree-bound orchids and other Caribbean plants/flowers.

Scuba Diving - Grand Cayman consistently ranks in the top ten dive destinations in the western hemisphere. The island is safe, the corals and marine life pristine, and most of all; a well-regulated dive operator industry second to none in the world. Cathy Church (world renowned underwater photographer) makes her home here, so does Guy Harvey (artist) and many others. My preferred dive operator is Ocean Frontiers in the East End, but Red Sail (Rum Point and Morritts) do a great job too. Most important is that the island's hospital maintains two recompression chambers and a dedicated professional staff who operate them. I have had two guests in 5 years that have needed to use them. Decompression sickness does happen, and even to people in great physical shape. I suggest to all my guests who plan to dive that they consider joining DAN. For the nominal cost they charge you, it is a great security blanket. A family membership costs only US$44.00/year and the insurance for a dive accident is only another $25.00/yr. If you need to be flown to Miami in a private jet at low altitude, it will cost close to $35,000. The biggest contributor to decompression sickness is dehydration usually brought on by heavy drinking the night before, so a word to the wise; if you are diving in the morning, watch yourself the night before and drink plenty of water.

Professional Photography - Not a mandatory attraction, but I think it is worth mentioning to families who are celebrating an anniversary, wedding or reunion. There is no second chance at photography and a professional series of family shots in paradise by David Wolfe will make the memory that more cherished. David not only does all the photography for my villas, he also does all my weddings and is my only recommendation. When you consider the expense of flying a large family to the Cayman Islands for a week in a luxury villa, a professionally photographed tangible memory of the trip is a wonderful surprise for your guests. David also provides a high-resolution CD so that you can pick it up from him on the way to the airport.