The Cayman Islands have long been associated with the history of buccaneers and pirates, who once established hideouts here. Grand Cayman has azure blue skies, luscious, green palms and the vivid reds, yellows and oranges of blooming buds. Visitors can expect great food, scenery, watersports, shopping and nightlife.

Some say Seven Mile Beach (really 1.4km/5.5 miles long) is the loveliest beach in the Caribbean. Its calm, crystal waters are mesmerising. Whether it's diving in shipwrecks or walking through rainforest, cruise passengers always find this port a winner.

George Town has two ‘ends' - East and West. In the West End, Boatswain's Beach, the former turtle farm, has expanded into a marine theme park. At nearby Hell, a touristy patch of fenced off craggy rocks, you can get cards post-marked from Hell.

Discover the pristine East End and see Pedro St. James Castle's multi-media, historic presentation complete with rain, mist and smoking pots. Most of all enjoy the sand and the surf - dive the famous walls, snorkel over spectacular coral reefs, hug a shark in Stingray Alley or just chill at the beach.

Highlights
• Cayman Islands National Museum
• Bodden Town
• Seven Mile Beach
• Cayman Brac
• Little Cayman

Department of Tourism
PO Box 67, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1102
Tel: +1 345 949 0623.
Website: www.caymanislands.co.uk

No sales tax, duty-free shopping and stores galore right off the cruise pier make Georgetown a shopper's paradise. Strip malls border Seven Mile Beach Road. Local products include Tortuga Rum, baskets, woven mats, Cuban cigars, marble-like, Caymanite jewellery and arts and crafts.

International cuisine is plentiful, but try some local specialities- turtle, curried goat, conch, salt cod, ackee and jerk cuisine. When eating outside, be prepared for mosquitoes to join you, especially at sunset.

The island's tropical and cooling trade winds are enticing all year round, but be aware of hurricane season, late May until early November.

Cayman Islands

GMT - 5.

Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$) = 100 cents.

English.

The three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) are located in northern Caribbean Sea, 240km (149 miles) south of Cuba and 268km (166 miles) northwest of Jamaica.

47,862 (all three islands).

British Crown Colony since 1670.

Mostly Christian.

Caymanians are friendly, conservative and devout church goers. Beachwear is best confined to the shoreline to avoid offence. Shorts but not tank tops are acceptable for dinner. Topless bathing is prohibited.

Tipping: Tipping is customary in restaurants, but check as some establishments add 15% to the tab. Large hotels generally include service charges but smaller inns and condos do not. Taxi drivers get from 10-15%.