Page 19 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – January/February 2020

Tranquility Found in the
Grand Cayman’s colorful history,
shaped by pirates, buccaneers, adventurers and shipwrecked mariners, tells tales of buried treasure.
Even today, visitors occasionally find gold coins and other long-forgotten treasures washed up on the island’s white-sand shores. But the real riches of Grand
Cayman won’t be found on its beaches but beneath the glassy surface of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
For decades, divers the world over have flocked to the warm Caribbean waters to delve into the ocean’s crystal- clear depths, spectacular coral reefs and fascinating marine life. What they have discovered surrounding Grand Cayman are miles of breathtaking sheer coral walls, brilliantly colored tropical fish,
canyons, coral tunnels, caves, wrecks and a seemingly endless visibility.
Twenty-two-mile-long Grand Cayman is one of three exposed summits of a submerged mountain range (the other two are Little Cayman and Cayman Brac). Over eons, the mountainsides below the water have been covered with an unbelievably beautiful coral reef, with water in some spots as shallow as 12 feet, and drop-offs as deep as an estimated 15,000 feet in others. Divided into six dive regions, Grand Cayman boasts more than 70 named boat and beach dive sites.
But there’s more to Grand Cayman
than water. Seven Mile Beach is
defined by its long stretches of
soft, very white sand. This pristine expanse of land is lined with resorts, restaurants and shops. In northern
... miles of breathtaking sheer coral walls, brilliantly colored tropical fish, canyons, coral tunnels, caves, wrecks and a seemingly endless visibility.
Grand Cayman, the National Trust’s Salina Reserve is a combination of woodlands and wetlands that offer visitors glimpses of rare blue iguana habitats, caves and unusual herbs. The Cayman Turtle Farm is home to thousands
of sea turtles, and the 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is an endless sea of vibrant color blooms.
In George Town, Grand Cayman’s central city, visit the Cayman Islands National Museum to learn a bit about the history and culture of the island. Savor delicious Caribbean-style meals at excellent restaurants, browse through duty-free shops and enjoy the nightlife – dance to a disco beat or soak up the moonlight on the beach.
If you’re thinking about taking a cruise to the Western Caribbean, you may find sailing from Galveston, Texas, to be fun and convenient. Situated on Galveston Island in the Gulf of Mexico, this historic city charms visitors with
its Victorian architecture, amusement parks, shopping, and seafood
restaurants, dishing up delicious Gulf shrimp, Louisiana crawfish, Galveston Bay oysters, and softshell crabs.
Photos: Cayman Islands Tourist Authority
JAN/FEB 2020 I 19
Photo: Shutterstock: eric laudonien
Cayman Islands