From exploring the financial hub of the Caribbean to relaxing on the beach, or immersing yourself in the islands’ vibrant culture, the Cayman Islands have something to offer to everyone.

With crystal-clear waters in vivid blue gently hitting a splendid coastline, the Cayman Islands offer a perfect sanctuary to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and relax in a beautiful tropical paradise.

Located in western Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands boast of some of the most beautiful beaches and the best diving experiences in the world, with coral reefs and shipwrecks all around and steep underwater walls teeming with marine life.

Though Cayman Islands are better known as one of the world’s largest off-shore financial centres and tax havens, this British overseas territory is also a haven for tourists looking for an exotic getaway. It also draws in quite a few Indians, including those who have made it their home.

Ankit Gupta, who works as a senior auditor in the financial firm Grant Thornton is one such Indian resident of Cayman Islands.

“Cayman Islands is a small territory with a population of about 60,000. Coming from a large and heavily populated country like India, it was a different experience altogether. Everything here is distinct from India be it the people, culture and lifestyle and there is natural beauty everywhere,’’ Gupta tells India Outbound.

Gupta says that it is a global finance hub and a big centre for financial services such as insurance and funds. He says that as all major financial services firms are located here, there are people from all over the world here, making it more interesting to work and enjoy in the islands with diverse cultures all around.

Grand Cayman, the largest island in the archipelago, has numerous massive resorts with all-inclusive options and is ideal for those who prefer pre-planned itineraries and don’t mind sharing the sites with cruise crowds. Cayman Brac’s craggy coastline, deep caves, and slower pace entice nature lovers. Little Cayman is positively sleepy, but it has some of the world’s best dive sites as well as excellent fishing options. Couples looking for a romantic vacation can also opt for this island.

In the colourful capital George Town, visitors can enjoy popular activities including swimming with stingrays, diving, snorkelling, hiking, and duty-free shopping and enjoying the vibrant nightlife.

With a fun-filled itinerary that includes exploring local cuisine, culture, and history of the islands, the best time to explore the islands is from April to June, when the water is crystal clear and calm, making it an excellent destination for water sports enthusiasts.

The islands provide a range of lodging options throughout Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The islands are home to a variety of luxury accommodations and topnotch dining options, making it an appealing destination for travellers seeking a high-end experience. One can also opt for intimate experiences by choosing from a selection of well-appointed, luxury low-rise hotels, villas, and condominiums. Point O’ Sand on Little Cayman, which has beach huts for picnics, and Brac Reef Beach has stunning coral reefs and lots of quiet places to hide away to look for a peaceful getaway.

Often referred to as a foodie’s paradise, the islands are also known as the Caribbean’s Culinary Capital. With over 200 restaurants, one can find every type of cuisine, from incredible local dishes to Thai, Japanese, Indian, Italian, and beyond. Amazing local fare sizzles with straight-from-thewater seafood and world-class cocktails. Begin with a Rum and Beer with lunch tour from Seven Mile Beach, which includes a variety of local rum, beer, and delectable foods. Conch soup, ackee, and saltfish, an old-fashioned fish fry and cassava cake are just a few local delicacies that one should sample here. And, yes, the regional dish, coconut shrimp is a must.

There is no map that a visitor must follow in order to discover this extraordinary destination, because the destination will create the path from the moment one arrives at the location. The laidback atmosphere, diving along the coral reefs and basking on the beautiful beaches blends perfectly to be explored at your own pace.

The ideal locations for water-based activities include the Seven Miles beach, Turtle Centre, the Starfish Point, Crystal Caves, Cayman Bay and Stingray City. It also offers excellent scuba diving experiences.

Gupta moved to the Cayman in September 2022 when in many places people were still working from home after the Covid-19 pandemic. He says that moving to Cayman provided an escape from Covid-19 ‘house arrest’ experiences.

“Things were much more relaxed here and the work culture was fun. I even got to attend the Pirates Week Festival which was quite an experience for me. It was filled with parades, games, music, and fireworks and a lot of dance and enjoyment!” says Gupta.

Sailing across Cayman Islands

Being surrounded by beautiful expanse of the Caribbean Sea, cruise tourism is one of the principal activities and also the best way to discover the archipelago and its surroundings.

Strolling at Seven Miles Beach

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is regularly named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, thanks to its soft white sand and clear, azure blue water while offering a variety of water sports and beachfront resorts. This ravishing sweep of flour soft sand and turquoise sea, fringed with casuarinas and coconut palms, is the kind of place one fantasises about.

Mingling with marine life at Stingray City

One of the most famous shallow water snorkel and dive sites in the Caribbean, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows visitors to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals. Brushing up against the majestic southern Atlantic stingrays less than a metre deep into the water is an unforgettable experience.

Swimming with Turtles at Cayman Turtle Centre

Swimming with turtles is yet another unique experience awaiting visitors to the Cayman. At the Cayman Turtle Centre, one can even hold baby turtles and snorkel with them and other sea creatures in Turtle Lagoon.

An aviary full of tropical birds and Breaker’s Lagoon, the largest pool in the Caymans, complete with waterfalls and an underwater viewing window that peers into the predator tank, are also fun attractions.

Cayman Crystal Caves

Located in a lush green tropical forest, the caves are covered in contorted stalactites and stalagmites. Colonies of bats huddle in crevices, and a crystalclear lake holds rainwater filtered through the rocks. They make for an exciting exploration.

Diving into the wrecks

Surrounded by reefs, the Cayman Islands are one of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean. Diving highlights include diverse coral formations, caverns, grottos, tunnels, wrecks and steep walls, and the visibility is typically excellent. There are also plenty of shipwrecks to be explored such as the Kittiwake Shipwreck and MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, off the island, which are amongst the most famous shipwrecks in the world to explore. Bloody Bay Marine Park and the Bloody Bay Wall is another underwater wonderland to enjoy here.

In addition to these locations, the islands are home to a number of tourist attractions, including, the Cayman Islands National Museum, and the Pedro St James National Historic Site. The Cayman Islands National Museum provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the islands’ history and culture, while the Pedro St James National Historic Site is a 1780s plantation house that has been restored and turned into a museum.

The Cayman Islands have a rich cultural heritage that is influenced by its African, European, and Caribbean roots. One of the most popular cultural events in the Cayman Islands is the Cayman Carnival Batabano, which is held in May and the Pirates Week in November, which is a week-long festival that commemorates the islands’ history as a pirate haven can be a great addition to your bucket list!