One of the two "sister islands" to Grand Cayman, Little Cayman is the smallest of the Cayman Islands. The unhurried pace of life and idyllic natural beauty make it a destination not to be missed. It is known world-wide for the opportunities it offers to divers and nature lovers. Little Cayman is the ideal backdrop to a perfect vacation or a truly individual piece of real estate.
On this site you’ll find details of Little Cayman’s diving and water sports, hotels, restaurant, bars and other facilities. More information is just a mouse click away. Visit the links on the left, or check out our eCay Cayman Islands Business Directory.
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Columbus did well to happen upon Little Cayman in 1503; it is indeed little. Just ten miles long and one mile wide, the Island has 22 miles of breathtaking coastline. It is located 87 miles northeast of Grand Cayman, and only five miles west of Cayman Brac. The bulk of the Island is at sea level, with the highest elevation at just 40 feet. There is a permanent population of less than 200 people.
What Little Cayman lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in charisma. It is gifted with an ageless, unspoiled natural beauty and a leisurely pace of life. The secluded beaches, brilliant waters and friendly locals make this a place to visit over and over again. The Island is frequently visited by photographers, naturalists and, it goes without saying, divers.
Once you’ve arrived, there is one car rental company on the island but most visitors rent a bike instead; Little Cayman is small enough to explore by bicycle. There are few facilities in the Island, but there is a shop, several restaurants, one post office, a fire station and church, and a part-time bank.
Whatever happens above ground, it is in and under the sea where Little Cayman is so unique. The offshore reefs are home to some 150 kinds of coral and more than 500 species of fish.
The major dive sites are Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson’s Bight, both off the north coast. Bloody Bay Wall is one of the world’s best known wall dives. There the ocean floor drops dramatically from 15ft vertically all the way down to 5,000 feet. Wreck dives include the Soto Trader. The Soto Trader is a 120 foot long by thirty foot wide freighter which sank off the south coast following a fire in 1975. It is sitting upright in 60 feet of water, completely intact.
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The water around Little Cayman has a visibility range of some 200 feet, so whether you’re diving, snorkeling or swimming on the surface, the view is magnificent. Other surface activity includes kayaking and fishing, both deep sea and inland. Residents suggest that Ernest Hemingway fished in Tarpon Lake. After all, he did live for a while in nearby Cuba.
Little Cayman is a celebrated destination for photographers and naturalists, who flock to visit its unique wildlife and natural treasures. And this is quite aside from the spectacular seashore and underwater landscapes. The Island is a fascinating mix of mangrove forests and salt ponds.
The Island is home to the largest population of red-footed boobies in the Western hemisphere. The red-footed booby nature reserve stretches over 200 acres. The Island also features a world famous wetlands area with Ramsar designation. It is also home of the endangered Lesser Caymans Iguana.
You can reach Little Cayman by sea or by air from Cayman Brac. Travel with Cayman Airways, to the Edward Bodden Airfield, a grass and crushed coral airstrip.
The Island offers a number of hotels; with resorts such as the Little Cayman Beach resort, Pirate’s Point and the Southern Cross Club. Alternatively, hire a villa for your stay through www.caymanvillas.com . You can also rent a luxurious oceanfront condos at either The Club or The Conch Club and bookings can be made through www.littlecayman.com For hotels and resorts, use eCayOnline. Full information about contact details, prices and locations are just a click away.
Columbus first spotted the "sister islands" of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac in 1503. Blown off his intended course, he caught sight of the islands low in the water, surrounded by what he thought were little rocks. Further inspection proved these to be Cayman’s first settlers, the turtles.
Over the course of the next century and a half, pirates and buccaneers made the Island a stopping off point. Legend has it that the infamous Neal Walker left buried treasure in Little Cayman. The Island was first settled in the 17th century by turtle fishermen. However, they abandoned the Island in 1671 after a raid by a Spanish privateer. Little Cayman next saw permanent inhabitants in 1833, when Blossom Village was established by a small group of people. By the early 20th century, a few hundred people lived in Little Cayman, making a living out of exporting phosphate ore, coconuts and marine rope.
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When cycling in Little Cayman, keep your wits about you. There may be scarcely any traffic, but you run the risk of coming across a snoozing iguana.
