Scuba Diving
Scuba dive in one of the few remaining pristine marine habitats in the Caribbean. Without a doubt, scuba diving has to rank among the top things to do in the Cayman Islands. Divers can expect world-class dives teeming with marine life, good visibility, professional shops and comfortable water temperatures. For those who have never dived before, the waters surrounding Grand Cayman are an ideal place to learn, and experienced divers relish both wall and wreck dives. Species of sea creatures are varied and include blue tang, parrotfish, moray eel, tarpon and Nassau Grouper. Hawksbill and green sea turtles also frequent the area as do barracudas, flying gurnards and scrawled filefish. Divetech, a full-service dive resort, offers professional, friendly instruction and diving. The Professional Association of Dive Instructors, PADI, can offer advice on certification and accredited dive operators.
Divetech
P.O. Box 31435
Grand Cayman, KY1 -- 1206
Cayman Islands
(345) 946-5658
http://www.divetech.com/frmain1.htm
Hell
That's right people, Hell is right here on Earth. Just outside the district of West Bay on the northwest portion of the island is an area commonly referred to as Hell. Hell received its name due to the unusual stumpy, knobby black limestone formations that litter this iguana-infested spot. Lying in a flat area less than one acre in size, Hell is not so much a scenic draw as it is a geological one. This phytokarst formation was created when Ironshore Formation limestone was mixed with filamentous algae. Appropriately or not, depending on who you ask, a post office was built in the area so visitors brave enough to tour the area could send postcards to family with captions reading, for example, "I've been to hell and back."
Botanic Park
Spend a day exploring the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. A relative newcomer to the island, this sumptuous park first opened in 1994 and offers visitors a chance to explore both native and foreign flora on a grand scale. The gardens offer a woodland trail that traverses around ponds, fern swamps, agave plants and forest. Also of note is a heritage garden, which aims to showcase plant life native to the islands. Other points of interest include a virtual herbarium and 26 species of orchid endemic to the islands. These flowers are spotlighted in an annual orchid show. Butterflies, a major part of the island ecosystem, are often spotted flying by as are blue-throated anolis, a type of lizard related to the iguana.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
P.O. Box 203
North Side
Grand Cayman
KY1-1701
Cayman Islands
(345) 947-9462
http://www.botanic-park.ky/
