< Previous58 WELCOME SISTER ISLANDS CAYMAN AIRWAYS OPERATES SEVERAL DAILY FLIGHTS from Grand Cayman to the Sister Islands via Cayman Airways Express. The flight takes around 35 to 40 minutes. There are also direct flights to Cayman Brac from Miami. Visit caymanairways.com for flight schedules. GETTING THERE IM AG E: K ati e A da ms IM AG E: St eph en C la rke P ho to gr aph y 59 WELCOME SISTER ISLANDS LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN BRAC are hugely popular with divers from all over the world, renowned for their healthy reefs and incredible visibility. With more than 100 sites between the two islands, divers of all skill levels have plenty of options when it comes to exploring the underwater world. LITTLE CAYMAN Little Cayman’s spectacular Bloody Bay Wall is the island’s star dive attraction, which starts at just 18 feet and plunges dramatically into the abyss. It features many eels, groupers, turtles and barracuda. Jackson Bay is another popular spot to explore. It boasts beautiful coral reefs, breathtaking drop-offs and an abundance of marine life including eagle rays and turtles. CAYMAN BRAC The island’s signature site is the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts wreck, a 330-foot Russian destroyer that was sunk in 1996. This artificial reef attracts eagle rays, groupers, turtles, snapper and angel fish. Cayman Brac is also noted for its excellent shore diving, with sites dotted around the island. Check out Stake Bay, Charlie’s Reef and Kissimmee wreck. DIVING in the SISTER ISLANDS Little Cayman dive sites offer an abundance of marine life.58 WELCOME SISTER ISLANDS CAYMAN AIRWAYS OPERATES SEVERAL DAILY FLIGHTS from Grand Cayman to the Sister Islands via Cayman Airways Express. The flight takes around 35 to 40 minutes. There are also direct flights to Cayman Brac from Miami. Visit caymanairways.com for flight schedules. GETTING THERE IM AG E: K ati e A da ms IM AG E: St eph en C la rke P ho to gr aph y 59 WELCOME SISTER ISLANDS LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN BRAC are hugely popular with divers from all over the world, renowned for their healthy reefs and incredible visibility. With more than 100 sites between the two islands, divers of all skill levels have plenty of options when it comes to exploring the underwater world. LITTLE CAYMAN Little Cayman’s spectacular Bloody Bay Wall is the island’s star dive attraction, which starts at just 18 feet and plunges dramatically into the abyss. It features many eels, groupers, turtles and barracuda. Jackson Bay is another popular spot to explore. It boasts beautiful coral reefs, breathtaking drop-offs and an abundance of marine life including eagle rays and turtles. CAYMAN BRAC The island’s signature site is the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts wreck, a 330-foot Russian destroyer that was sunk in 1996. This artificial reef attracts eagle rays, groupers, turtles, snapper and angel fish. Cayman Brac is also noted for its excellent shore diving, with sites dotted around the island. Check out Stake Bay, Charlie’s Reef and Kissimmee wreck. DIVING in the SISTER ISLANDS Little Cayman dive sites offer an abundance of marine life.60 WELCOME CAYMAN STYLE 61 WELCOME THE BEACHES OF LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN BRAC are lovely for some soothing time by the sea. Here are a few favourite spots to visit: LITTLE CAYMAN Point of Sand A stunning swathe of beach where you can picnic, paddle and snorkel. Cayman Brac is visible from here. Be careful of strong currents. Owen Island Just offshore, this spot can be reached by kayak or boat. Take a picnic for a few hours on your very own deserted island. Head O’Bay Close to South Hole Sound, this beach is the perfect launch pad for dives to Bloody Bay Wall. CAYMAN BRAC Public Beach, South Side Gentle waves roll in from the reef making it a lovely place to enjoy the beach. There is also a mobi mat at this location. Brac Reef Resort The beach in front of this resort has cabanas, boardwalks and hammocks. Another great spot for snorkelling and diving. BEST BEACHES Sister Islands60 WELCOME CAYMAN STYLE 61 WELCOME THE BEACHES OF LITTLE CAYMAN AND CAYMAN BRAC are lovely for some soothing time by the sea. Here are a few favourite spots to visit: LITTLE CAYMAN Point of Sand A stunning swathe of beach where you can picnic, paddle and snorkel. Cayman Brac is visible from here. Be careful of strong currents. Owen Island Just offshore, this spot can be reached by kayak or boat. Take a picnic for a few hours on your very own deserted island. Head O’Bay Close to South Hole Sound, this beach is the perfect launch pad for dives to Bloody Bay Wall. CAYMAN BRAC Public Beach, South Side Gentle waves roll in from the reef making it a lovely place to enjoy the beach. There is also a mobi mat at this location. Brac Reef Resort The beach in front of this resort has cabanas, boardwalks and hammocks. Another great spot for snorkelling and diving. BEST BEACHES Sister Islands49 WELCOME 50 WELCOME STYLE CAYMAN CAYMAN HAS LOTS TO OFFER BEYOND its picture-perfect beaches. Enjoy local music, art and fashion with a Caribbean flair, as well as a diverse dining scene – Cayman is hailed as the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’. Shop for hand-crafted island treasures as well as duty- free luxury goods. Watch for vibrant festivals and cultural events taking place throughout the year. CAYMAN HAS LOTS TO OFFER BEYOND its picture-perfect beaches. Enjoy local music, art and fashion with a Caribbean flair, as well as a diverse dining scene – Cayman is hailed as the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’. Shop for hand-crafted island treasures as well as duty- free luxury goods. Watch for vibrant festivals and cultural events taking place throughout the year. IM AG E: Ta ne os R am say Kes e Band at Capella 2023.49 WELCOME 50 WELCOME STYLE CAYMAN CAYMAN HAS LOTS TO OFFER BEYOND its picture-perfect beaches. Enjoy local music, art and fashion with a Caribbean flair, as well as a diverse dining scene – Cayman is hailed as the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’. Shop for hand-crafted island treasures as well as duty- free luxury goods. Watch for vibrant festivals and cultural events taking place throughout the year. CAYMAN HAS LOTS TO OFFER BEYOND its picture-perfect beaches. Enjoy local music, art and fashion with a Caribbean flair, as well as a diverse dining scene – Cayman is hailed as the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’. Shop for hand-crafted island treasures as well as duty- free luxury goods. Watch for vibrant festivals and cultural events taking place throughout the year. IM AG E: Ta ne os R am say Kes e Band at Capella 2023.64 WELCOME CAYMAN STYLE WHETHER ART, CARNIVAL OR MUSIC is your thing, Cayman’s social calendar is full to the brim with events to look forward to year-round. Here are some of the biggest to look out for: AGRICULTURAL SHOW Held annually on Ash Wednesday, the Agricultural Show is a popular family event, where farmers sell produce and showcase their livestock. Enjoy music and entertainment, food booths, horse riding and a petting zoo, as well as arts and crafts stalls. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman all host agricultural shows, with the Sister Islands’ dates usually falling in the weeks after Grand Cayman’s show. CAPELLA This music festival has previously featured well-known artists such as UB40, Koffee, Kes, Leanne Rimes, Wyclef Jean, Michael Bolton, Beres Hammond and Maxi Priest, as well as talented local performers. The one-day event takes place at Festival Green, Camana Bay and the 2024 instalment is on 27 April. capellamusicfestival.com CAYMAN ARTS FESTIVAL Cayman’s largest performing arts festival attracts world-class artists for a week of performances including jazz, classical and chamber music as well as dance and visual arts events. Held annually in February. caymanartsfestival.com CAYMAN ART WEEK A week-long curated programme of art galleries, Cayman Art Week (CAW) is held in July and is highly anticipated. The 2024 CAW will be held 22 to 26 May. Look forward to gallery and studio visits, pop-up exhibits and more, all accessible by free Cayman Art Week bus tours, if you wish. caymanartweek.com COCO FEST Coco Fest celebrates the Cayman coconut, preserving its ties to the islands’ culture and heritage. Held in February at Pedro St. James, the festival features food, products, demonstrations, and crafts made from the coconut. Presented by the Cayman Islands National Attractions Authority. cinaa.ky FESTIVALS and ANNUAL EVENTS 65 WELCOME CAYFEST The Cayman Islands National Festival of Arts, Cayfest, is an annual celebration hosted in February/March by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. It showcases the islands’ cultural diversity and artistic talent. Red Sky at Night is Cayfest’s anchor event, featuring music, dance and storytelling, as well as a market showcasing works by local artists. artscayman.org/cayfest CAYMAN CARNIVAL BATABANO Cayman’s national carnival features music, dance and colourful costumes in true Caribbean fashion. Thousands of spectators line the streets to watch the parade, where participants join together to compete and showcase creative costumes, choreography and floats. Held annually in May, the name Batabano is a nod to Cayman’s turtling heritage as the word refers to the tracks left in the sand by sea turtles. caymancarnival.com CAYMAS CARNIVAL Revellers take to the streets to showcase spectacular costumes, music and dance, embracing island culture and heritage. The street parade is a carnival of mas (short for masquerade) bands, each with its own colours and theme. Held in July, CayMAS includes soca and steel pan competitions, parties and fetes. caymas.ky FLOWERS SEA SWIM Attracting both novices and Olympians from Cayman and around the world, the Flowers Sea Swim has been taking place for more than 30 years. Hailed as the world’s richest open water swimming race due to its vast array of prizes, all swim registration proceeds go to the Swim Free programme. flowersseaswim.com64 WELCOME CAYMAN STYLE WHETHER ART, CARNIVAL OR MUSIC is your thing, Cayman’s social calendar is full to the brim with events to look forward to year-round. Here are some of the biggest to look out for: AGRICULTURAL SHOW Held annually on Ash Wednesday, the Agricultural Show is a popular family event, where farmers sell produce and showcase their livestock. Enjoy music and entertainment, food booths, horse riding and a petting zoo, as well as arts and crafts stalls. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman all host agricultural shows, with the Sister Islands’ dates usually falling in the weeks after Grand Cayman’s show. CAPELLA This music festival has previously featured well-known artists such as UB40, Koffee, Kes, Leanne Rimes, Wyclef Jean, Michael Bolton, Beres Hammond and Maxi Priest, as well as talented local performers. The one-day event takes place at Festival Green, Camana Bay and the 2024 instalment is on 27 April. capellamusicfestival.com CAYMAN ARTS FESTIVAL Cayman’s largest performing arts festival attracts world-class artists for a week of performances including jazz, classical and chamber music as well as dance and visual arts events. Held annually in February. caymanartsfestival.com CAYMAN ART WEEK A week-long curated programme of art galleries, Cayman Art Week (CAW) is held in July and is highly anticipated. The 2024 CAW will be held 22 to 26 May. Look forward to gallery and studio visits, pop-up exhibits and more, all accessible by free Cayman Art Week bus tours, if you wish. caymanartweek.com COCO FEST Coco Fest celebrates the Cayman coconut, preserving its ties to the islands’ culture and heritage. Held in February at Pedro St. James, the festival features food, products, demonstrations, and crafts made from the coconut. Presented by the Cayman Islands National Attractions Authority. cinaa.ky FESTIVALS and ANNUAL EVENTS 65 WELCOME CAYFEST The Cayman Islands National Festival of Arts, Cayfest, is an annual celebration hosted in February/March by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. It showcases the islands’ cultural diversity and artistic talent. Red Sky at Night is Cayfest’s anchor event, featuring music, dance and storytelling, as well as a market showcasing works by local artists. artscayman.org/cayfest CAYMAN CARNIVAL BATABANO Cayman’s national carnival features music, dance and colourful costumes in true Caribbean fashion. Thousands of spectators line the streets to watch the parade, where participants join together to compete and showcase creative costumes, choreography and floats. Held annually in May, the name Batabano is a nod to Cayman’s turtling heritage as the word refers to the tracks left in the sand by sea turtles. caymancarnival.com CAYMAS CARNIVAL Revellers take to the streets to showcase spectacular costumes, music and dance, embracing island culture and heritage. The street parade is a carnival of mas (short for masquerade) bands, each with its own colours and theme. Held in July, CayMAS includes soca and steel pan competitions, parties and fetes. caymas.ky FLOWERS SEA SWIM Attracting both novices and Olympians from Cayman and around the world, the Flowers Sea Swim has been taking place for more than 30 years. Hailed as the world’s richest open water swimming race due to its vast array of prizes, all swim registration proceeds go to the Swim Free programme. flowersseaswim.com67 WELCOME CAYMAN STYLE CAYMANIANS HAVE A DISTINCT DIALECT, with a unique twist on pronunciations and phrases. Accents also vary from district to district. Kevin Goring spent years compiling the ‘Cayman Islands Dictionary’ and a companion book, ‘Caymanian Expressions’. These books include hundreds of phrases and sayings, some dating back generations. Here are a few examples for those who want to talk like a local: WORDS: Cyah: Can’t Ereckleh: Later ‘Rong: Around Yih’nah: You know PHRASES: “Unna cum nah” – Come with me, all of you. Let’s go. “Who You Fuh?” – Who are your parents? “Trouble Don’t Blow Shell” – Bad things happen without warning. “Walk the twelve steps” – Stand up and be judged. “I’m too cool to pop” – I’m doing really well. Life is good. “As fast as lightnin’ ova Cuba” – At blazing speed. SPEAK LIKE a LOCAL 66 WELCOME OUT OF THIS WORLD After its inaugural concert in 2023, the huge success of this music event has secured its spot as an annual occurrence, with 2024’s date confirmed as 1 June. Out of this World 2023 saw Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Patrice Roberts and Elephant Man take to the stage, along with an impressive roster of local talent. ootwmusicfest.com PIRATES FEST This national festival takes over the whole of Grand Cayman with a parade, heritage days, music, street dances, local food, fireworks and other swashbuckling fun. Popular events include a mock pirate invasion, cardboard boat regatta and float parade. The Sister Islands also host events. In 2022, the event known as Pirates Week expanded to include festivities spanning 12 weeks, from September to November. piratesfestcayman.com CAYMAN ISLANDS MARATHON Once the cool Christmas breezes roll in, runners take to the streets for the Cayman Islands Marathon. Offering full marathon, half marathon, relay and kids fun run, this event has something for everyone and attracts runners from all over the world. Takes place annually in December. caymanislandsmarathon.com CAYMAN ISLANDS TRIATHLON Athletes can choose from a sprint triathlon, or Olympic distance triathlon which has individual, two- or three-person relay options. Organised by the Cayman Islands Triathlon Association, and taking place on beautiful Seven Mile Beach, this event attracts overseas participants as well as local residents. triathlon.ky *Visit the event websites as dates and events are subject to change.67 WELCOME CAYMAN STYLE CAYMANIANS HAVE A DISTINCT DIALECT, with a unique twist on pronunciations and phrases. Accents also vary from district to district. Kevin Goring spent years compiling the ‘Cayman Islands Dictionary’ and a companion book, ‘Caymanian Expressions’. These books include hundreds of phrases and sayings, some dating back generations. Here are a few examples for those who want to talk like a local: WORDS: Cyah: Can’t Ereckleh: Later ‘Rong: Around Yih’nah: You know PHRASES: “Unna cum nah” – Come with me, all of you. Let’s go. “Who You Fuh?” – Who are your parents? “Trouble Don’t Blow Shell” – Bad things happen without warning. “Walk the twelve steps” – Stand up and be judged. “I’m too cool to pop” – I’m doing really well. Life is good. “As fast as lightnin’ ova Cuba” – At blazing speed. SPEAK LIKE a LOCAL 66 WELCOME OUT OF THIS WORLD After its inaugural concert in 2023, the huge success of this music event has secured its spot as an annual occurrence, with 2024’s date confirmed as 1 June. Out of this World 2023 saw Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Patrice Roberts and Elephant Man take to the stage, along with an impressive roster of local talent. ootwmusicfest.com PIRATES FEST This national festival takes over the whole of Grand Cayman with a parade, heritage days, music, street dances, local food, fireworks and other swashbuckling fun. Popular events include a mock pirate invasion, cardboard boat regatta and float parade. The Sister Islands also host events. In 2022, the event known as Pirates Week expanded to include festivities spanning 12 weeks, from September to November. piratesfestcayman.com CAYMAN ISLANDS MARATHON Once the cool Christmas breezes roll in, runners take to the streets for the Cayman Islands Marathon. Offering full marathon, half marathon, relay and kids fun run, this event has something for everyone and attracts runners from all over the world. Takes place annually in December. caymanislandsmarathon.com CAYMAN ISLANDS TRIATHLON Athletes can choose from a sprint triathlon, or Olympic distance triathlon which has individual, two- or three-person relay options. Organised by the Cayman Islands Triathlon Association, and taking place on beautiful Seven Mile Beach, this event attracts overseas participants as well as local residents. triathlon.ky *Visit the event websites as dates and events are subject to change.Next >