Quick Facts about The Cayman Islands

1. The Cayman Islands were discovered in 1503 by Christopher Columbus. They were originally named “Tortugas” [Spanish for turtles] due to their large population of green sea turtles.
2. Grand Cayman is 22 miles long and less than 8 miles wide. Maximum elevation is about 60 ft.
3. Corals, which resemble colorful rocks and plants, are actually vast colonies of tiny animals. Coral reefs are home to over 25% of all marine life and are among the most fragile and endangered ecosystems.
4. It can take 5 to 10 thousand years for a fully developed reef system to evolve.
5. Over 400 species of fish and over 100 species of coral inhabit Cayman’s reef.
6. A Nor’ wester is a storm which generates strong winds and high seas along the north and west area of the island. Nor’ westers occasionally occur between November and April, usually lasting 2-3 days.
7. Pollution, over -fishing, reckless dredging and nefarious diving practices are leading causes of reef destruction.
8. Turtles are air breathing reptiles who must surface every hour or so to breathe. Look for them resting on the surface in between dives.
9. Fire coral appears in many intricate forms. However, it delivers a painful sting upon contact with skin. Vinegar or isopropyl alcohol will help alleviate the pain.
10. The wreck of the ten sails, off the shores of East End is a monument to the bravery of many Camanian men who, in 1794 risked their lives to rescue the crew of this ill- fated expedition from England when they floundered on the reef. Legend has it that in appreciation of their heroic efforts, King George III granted permanent tax -free status to the Cayman Islands.
11. Cayman is a Christian country and as such observes the Sunday Sabbath. Supermarkets, bars, nightclubs and liquor stores are closed. It is forbidden to dance on Sundays, and establishments are only permitted to play soft, background music. Bars are required to close early on Saturday night and must be empty by midnight to observe the Sabbath.
12. With a resident population of less than 200, shy iguanas and rare birds out-number humans on Little Cayman. Little Cayman has the largest known breeding colony of the Red Footed Booby (5000 pairs) and only breeding colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds in this hemisphere.
13. Black corals are not harvested in the Cayman Islands. It is imported for crafting from places such as; Honduras by professional divers, at depths and locations well outside the recreational dive limits.
14. The hurricane season is from 1st June to 30th November.
15. There are approximately 4,000 hotel and condo rooms available to visitors most of which are adjacent to the Seven Mile Beach.
16. Hurricane Ivan left most of the reefs intact and made many of the existing sites different and more exciting. Shipwrecks render a bridge from past to future as their slow decay affords birth to new living reef.