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Cover Story - Best Beaches October 2010
- 1. September|October 2010 Historic Pedro St. James Bob Soto: Diving to Greatness Best Beachesof the Cayman Islands Best Beachesof the Cayman Islands cay septoct - COVER 10 - cover+FINAL.indd 1 8/6/10 11:37:15 AM
- 2. cay septoct10 - FEA/LOCAL Beaches.indd 38 8/5/10 2:35:22 PM
- 3. September|October 39 SandyShoresNot all beaches are created equal. Here’s our guide to the softest sand, bluest water and clearest skies in Cayman. By Mary Nguyen J.KevinFoltz cay septoct10 - FEA/LOCAL Beaches.indd 39 8/10/10 9:41:16 AM
- 4. 40 Cayman Airways www.caymanairways.com Lucky you — you’re on your way to the Cayman Islands, home to some of the Caribbean’s best beaches. Frequent Caribbean travellers know that there are a handful of things (litter or debris, pushy vendors, huge crowds) that can disrupt a pleasant experience on the sand. But these problems are unheard of along the well-kept, salesman-free shores of Cayman. From the famed shores of Seven Mile Beach to the escapist’s hideaway of Point of Sand in Little Cayman, and from Rum Point at the north end of Grand Cayman to the hidden beaches of Cayman Brac’s south-western shore, the islands are blessed with a natural treasure trove of beaches. The only problem? Deciding which one to head to first. Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman’s most famous beach is well known for good reason. Even without the five-star resorts and luxury condos that hug the gently curving crescent-shaped coastline, the 5.5-mile-long beach is a spectacular sight to behold. A majestic swirl of white, powdery sand that stretches along the “ham- mer handle” of the island’s western shore, from its George Town capital up to the hammerhead of West Bay, the beach is undoubtedly the country’s top attraction. Located a few miles away from Owen Roberts International Airport, Seven Mile Beach is a tourist mecca with most of the island’s hotels, restaurants, shops and sporting activity centres concentrated in the area. And with most of the human traffic flocking to this strip of sand, people-watching with a piña colada in hand is a most enjoyable activity. More active travellers can enjoy a full range of water sports along the length of the beach, from horseback riding to parasailing, snorkelling and going for a swim in the glassy greenish-blue water. There’s no shortage of things to do on this beach; and for those so inclined, satisfying hunger pangs is as easy as firing up the barbie, since open grilling is allowed. One of the more pleasurable activities on Seven Mile Beach doesn’t even require any equipment at all. Entirely open to the public, as all beaches in the Cayman Islands are (up to the high water mark), this is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean to walk along uninterrupted by private property mark- ers or hostile hotel workers. Visitors vacationing on Grand Cayman could stay put on Seven Mile Beach and not want for any- thing as shopping, banks and restaurants are all located close by. Most of the shopping on West Bay Road, which runs along the length of the beach, is concentrated between the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa and the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, and a number of strip malls along the road also have supermarkets and bank machines. When hunger strikes, beachgoers can head to some of the area hotels, since their restaurants are usually open to the public; there are also several public beach bars. There’s no need to dress up A majestic swirl of white, powdery sand, Seven Mile Beach is undoubtedly the country’s top attraction. cay septoct10 - FEA/LOCAL Beaches.indd 40 8/5/10 2:36:28 PM
- 5. September|October 41 when dining out along the beach: “Caribbean cas- ual” is as strict as most dress codes get, although beachwear and tank tops are generally frowned upon at the better establishments. West Bay Road is also chock-full of restaurants offering a mouth-watering assortment of local, ethnic and classic American cuisine. It’s a reminder that whilst the island nation is quite small, home to just 56,000 people, it boasts the diversity of any American metropolis. Some 140 ethnicities call Cayman home, and the variety is reflected in the culinary delights from around the world available here. Rum Point For a glimpse into the Caribbean of years gone by, head a half-hour’s drive north of Seven Mile Beach to Rum Point. Located on the island’s northernmost point, Rum Point beach has been a popular weekend getaway for Caymanian families and expat residents for years, with calm and shallow waters that are ideal for younger beachgoers to explore. The fabled site where locals say barrels of rum once washed ashore from a passing ship- wrecked schooner, the beach is now a family- friendly hangout for residents and tourists alike, with open-air eateries and a few rustic picnic tables scattered about for public use. Rum Point has washroom facilities, showers, huts and ham- mocks that are perfect for a beachside snooze, and a long pier that makes an ideal backdrop for photo ops. cay septoct10 - FEA/LOCAL Beaches.indd 41 8/5/10 2:37:30 PM
- 6. 42 Cayman Airways www.caymanairways.com A must-do whilst at the beach is to enjoy a Mudslide from the Wreck Bar & Grill, the original home of the fro- zen cocktail, created by a bar hand back in the 1950s, during the early days of the island’s tourism industry. Fine dining is also available at the Rum Point Club Restaurant, which has a wrap-around porch on the water that lights up at night. The recently remodelled restaurant also has an open-concept kitchen so diners can watch the chefs cook up Caribbean concoctions using seafood from the surrounding waters. Guests coming from George Town can avoid the commute to the Rum Point Club by taking a catama- ran ride aboard a 65-foot watercraft that leaves two nights a week from the Safehaven dock by Seven Mile Beach. Water sports enthusiasts have all their needs cov- ered by Red Sail Sports’ Rum Point outpost, which is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, and offers scuba diving programs, as well as jet-skiing, kayaking and renting a paddleboat. Red Sail also has a new WaveRunner safari program that’s proven popular this past summer, which takes participants on a 90-minute snorkelling tour of the waters off of Rum Point for an up-close look at the area’s rich aquatic life. Local Favourites Clean and quiet beaches abound in the Cayman Islands, and many offer changing facilities and restrooms. All you really need is a cooler full of ice- cold drinks and a car to explore the bevy of beaches. The islands’ exceptionally low crime rate is one of the many reasons why visitors feel entirely comfortable roaming the island on their own. One of the best low-key beaches is the West Bay Public Beach, which is located after the four-way stop in West Bay. The beach has a placid but lively atmos- phere and is a popular hangout for local families on the weekends; it’s not unusual to see birthday par- ties and wedding celebrations held on this picture- perfect beach. A dock, restrooms, showers and huts/ benches are available — and though weekdays can be a bit busy with the cruise crowd, visitors will find it somewhat quieter on the weekends. And conven- iently, two restaurants that are both open every day are close enough to walk to: Alfresco Restaurant and Tim Buc Tuu. In South Sound, just less than two miles south of Grand Cayman’s cruise ship terminal, is Smith’s Cove. Located on the south-western coast of the island, near George Town, the cove can be a bit busy on the weekends with a mix of tourists and locals — but it’s definitely worth a visit to see its shimmering turquoise waters protected by the coral reef. Smith’s Cove offers visitors restrooms, picnic benches and showers. There’s also some spectacular snorkelling, since the underwater marine life thrives in the shelter of the cove. ForsomeofthebestsnorkellinginGrandCayman, head to West Bay’s Cemetery Beach, a spooky name for what’s truly a stunning beach. Adjacent to the Clean, quiet beaches abound in the Cayman Islands. All you need to explore them is a cooler full of ice-cold drinks and a car. MaryNguyen cay septoct10 - FEA/LOCAL Beaches.indd 42 8/5/10 2:38:12 PM
- 7. 44 Cayman Airways www.caymanairways.com West Bay Cemetery, as its name implies, the beach is a top spot for snorkellers despite not offering any of the conveniences that other beaches do. You won’t find any changing facilities, restrooms or water sports operators at this local haunt, but Cemetery Beach’s clear waters, quiet atmosphere and under- water beauty are enough to make it an easy favourite for some. Hidden Gems If absolute seclusion is what you’re looking for, a trip over to the smaller Sister Islands is a must. Just 12 miles long and little more than a mile wide, diving may have made the tiny Cayman Brac world famous and its spectacular wildlife is certainly a draw for many visitors, but its tranquil beaches are also a sight to be seen. Whilst much of the island is rugged in typography, lengths of sandy beach like the one at Stake Bay afford beachgoers the chance to stretch out in soli- tude. Just a few thousand people call Cayman Brac home, so the beaches here are as quiet as they come. Small beaches line the south-western shoreline, and there’s a protected beach just east of the island’s hotels. Just don’t expect too much in the way of beach- front amenities; the sun, surf, sea and solitude are the highlights here. Isolated stretches of sand are a Little Cayman specialty. With just a few hundred inhabitants on the smallest of the three islands, it’s entirely possible to stumble on a beach and feel as though you’re the first to ever set foot on it. Point of Sand on the east coast of Little Cayman is as close to perfection as beaches can be. Though it offers little more than a picnic table under a thatch hut on a swath of white sand beach, it’s well worth the visit just to see the impressive ocean vista that the beach offers those willing to travel to see it. If tranquillity is synonymous with seclusion, then the best beach in the country isn’t even located on any of the three islands. Beachgoers looking for a true “castaway experience” can find it on a beach that’s just a 10-minute boat ride over from Little Cayman’s southern shore. Just a few hundred yards off of South Town is the tiny islet of Owen Island, where you won’t find any roads, facilities or even people. What you will find, however, are crystalline waters and some of the best fishing in the area. Although it may be nothing more than 11 acres of sand and trees, Owen Island offers to some the ultimate luxury: an island escape where you can really get away from it all. DonMcDougall cay septoct10 - FEA/LOCAL Beaches.indd 44 8/6/10 1:04:45 PM