A Yorkshire girl's guide to the Cayman Islands: Part One
My journey began with an 11 hour flight across the Atlantic. My first ever long-haul flight. My destination was the Cayman Islands. Now for a Yorkshire girl who'd never been out of Europe you can imagine how this was something beyond a dream. I was heading to the place travel brochures were made of. "Clear blue waters and endless white sands a place with 365 diving sites for all levels." Words that sing at you from the glossy pages.
My first stop was to be Grand Cayman, which is the biggest of the three Cayman Islands. Known for it's Seven Mile Beach, 147 dive sites and luxury accommodation. The island hosts a variety of places to stay that range from more diver suited digs to luxurious honeymoon suite hotels. All with their own relaxed welcoming Caribbean personality. What grabbed me the most from setting foot on the island was the sense of pride from each resident we met and passed, a sure shock from the reserved almost bleak disposition back in London. I got told on numerous occasions, 'Don't worry! There's no rush on the Islands! There's no stress on the islands'. Pure heaven right there encompassed in one island. Cayman is 100% happiness and relaxation in a coconut shell. It wafts through the air in a way the London smog does but less toxic and grey. It's fair to say I was raring to see more…
From speaking to the locals and checking out the tourist boards you will find that what attracts most people to the Islands is the water. Now being slightly afraid of the sea and someone who is only used to paddling in the murky waters of Skegness I couldn't comprehend what these people were saying. I mean yes of course we've all seen coral photography and yes it does look impressive but surely that's more a touch of photoshop magic and and enthusiastic retoucher? Surely that's not real?
I began my scuba theory back in London, with Oyster Diving. I learnt the basics, tried to manage my buoyancy and undertook an 8 hour theory test. I realised that it's a skill to learn how to breathe 'properly' and that it's not actually like being an extra for James Bond. It's serious stuff. I felt a real sense of achievement knowing I had passed my closed water diving test. For me that was it! I was happy to stay diving in a swimming pool forever…
When we hit Cayman we travelled up the Seven Mile Beach to the top point to Cobalt Coast and the home of Divetec. We were greeted by our instructor Jo, who'd been diving for 17 years and had more wisdom than a whistling conch shell. We signed in and didn't waste any time, and why not? The sea was there waving away, yelling for us to get in… Suddenly it all became a little bit real… 'What size BCD are you?', 'Get your air from over there!' I think nerves is an understatement of what I felt that day hooking up my life support machine, I mean BCD. Once laced in neoprene we went through our buddy checks, the BCD's went on attached to a tank and weights, we gained a good few pounds with no chocolate in sight. Then you set off down the scuba catwalk, adopting a jaunty unstable strut. This is one of the great things about Cobalt Coast. They have their very own private pier, you drop down straight to 6-ft to what is known as the start of Sea Fan Reef.
Once in the water, BCD inflated we all arranged our masks and waited for the signal from Jo. I was about to do my first open water dive. We deflated our BCD's and slowly sunk beneath the surface of the water, the waves breaking over our heads as though we were given a welcoming hug. Once under the water the equalisation began, the Darth Vadar breathing, the 8 hours of theory flashing before my eyes and then suddenly we were down 12ft or so. The reality sinks in 'Shit! I'm underwater!'… Once we were settled and signalled ok we moved on. Following Jo and moving slowly and steadily we glided through the water. I don't think I blinked for at least 5 minutes, overwhelmed doesn't even come close. I now understood what was meant when we were told we needed to get in the water to really experience Cayman. It was another world below the surface that was more lively than above, the sea bed was truly breathing. Coral reefs masked in a mixture of textures, colours and shapes. Accommodating schools of inquisitive fish, timid fish, worldly looking turtles and bad-ass Barracudas.
I think after my first experience I most certainly caught the diving bug, slipping under the sea is without a doubt the best form of escapism. Your senses are rewired, you become in-tune with your body and your breathing becomes meditative. Your eyes become more open and awake than ever before and you suddenly realise that we live in a world with such hidden beauty.
Grand Cayman is a brilliant place to begin your diving adventure. A costly place to visit however but one that is worth every penny. Grand Cayman alone is home to 147 dive sites and 10 wrecks, they have many in-water attractions and attract loyal visitors and divers from around the world. Many experienced divers I spoke to openly admitted they have come back to the Cayman Islands time and time again. I did wonder if my naivety to the diving world was purely because I'd never experienced anything like it, but they confirmed my feelings and explained that the Cayman Islands really is the best place to dive in the whole world. However, you don't need to dive to the depths as there are many surface snorkelling sites. A key attraction being the renowned 'Stingray City' where you can get hands on and interact with the Stingrays at two levels, on the surface with your snorkel in waist high waters or on a short boat ride out to 12ft of water.
When night falls you can take part in an evening time bioluminescence tour. This begins just as the sun sets and with Sea Elements you can take a short boat ride out to a small bay. You can get in the water and experience bioluminescence at it's best, you'll observe the micro-organisms in the water glowing around you from your finger tips, like real life fairy dust as though you have just morphed into the opening credits of a new Disney film. A rare sight which can only really be captured by the naked eye.
If diving isn't your thing you can still enjoy the delights of Cayman on land and on a plate. As I mentioned before there is an overwhelming sense of pride on the Cayman Islands. The residents take full advantage of local ingredients to produce tasty delicacies such as Conch Chowder and Mahi-Mahi fish dinners. You can visit the busier districts and join in on the islands Flavour Tour. This is a guided tour of a select few restaurants each serving up a small course and selected cocktail, a particular one that stood out to me was a scotch bonnet cocktail unlike anything that's ever graced my lips before. All made with natural local ingredients reinforcing the 'farm to fork' mantra of the island.
Throughout the island you can visit various points of interest, each one within a stones throw away from the crystal waters. Local residents are keen and enthusiastic about visitors and will think nothing less about there friendly approach to tell you more about the islands. A short taxi ride will most likely provide you with an impromptu mini guided tour. You are highly encouraged to go out and explore and really enjoy the fruits of the island.
Grand Cayman has a lot to offer everyone, there is a so much to discover and experience. I did feel I only scratched the surface and was ready to unearth more treasures on land and beneath the tide. However lucky for me my journey moved forward to the second of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Brac…
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