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About eighty miles northeast of Grand Cayman, and accessible
by a quick plane hop, lies tiny Cayman Brac. With
none of the fast-food outlets or tourist bustle of the
larger island, the Brac (as it's colloquially known) offers
the chance for an isolated Caribbean vacation, though
growing numbers come here for outdoor activities such as
scuba diving and hiking.
As such, relatively few resorts cater to such vacationers,
although those that do generally have the best access to the
few beaches on the island; most are relatively
brackish, with plenty of sea grass, save for the lone public
beach, which is the best stretch around these parts, located
on the same south side as most hotels and just a ten-minute
bicycle ride away.
The best way to explore the Brac is to get on one of its
numerous trails, the best of which traverse the bluff
that runs along the island's spine and culminates with great
ocean views on the eastern coast - a perfect place to catch
the sunrise.
The trails are accessible off the main road, marked by large
white Heritage Site signs that designate the name of
the trail. You'll need a car or motor scooter to reach most
of the trails as few are within walking distance of the main
hotels. You might also consider renting a bicycle to
get around, though if you're serious about cycling, it's
best to bring your own as most here are of the no-speed
coaster-brake variety.
There's not much in the way of specific attractions on the
island, other than the Cayman Brac Museum in Stake
Bay (Mon-Fri 9am-noon & 1-4pm; free) where local history is
on display, and the Brac Parrot Reserve near the
bluff to the island's northeast - a tropical woodland where
the rare, emerald-green Cayman Brac parrot has
nesting colonies.
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As there is no main town or major developments outside the
scattered hotels on the island, the place you choose to stay
will go a long way toward determining what facilities are on
offer. Neither are there miles-long strips of beautiful
sand; most of the small beaches, located on hotel property,
have a fair amount of sea grass in their waters; the
public beach, a short ways north of the main hotels, is
the best on offer.
A short nature trail threads its way through forty-odd
species of native trees, including candlewood and mastic,
plus varieties of cacti and orchids.
As well, the scuba diving here is supreme and most
sites are a ten- to twenty- minute boat ride from the shore.
It is possible to shore dive here, though it's easiest on
the north side where the water is generally calmer. The
marine life is abundant, among which you'll find schooling
fish and vibrant parrot fish. Walls are encrusted with
purple sea fans, massive barrel sponges and the occasional
spotted moray and green eel.
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Cayman Islands
travel guide
Cayman Islands
Overview
Where to go
When to go
Getting there
Costs & currency
Communications
Food and drink
Brief history
Best of Cayman Islands
Info and sites
Diving, hiking
Festivals and holidays
Scuba diving |
Caribbean guide
Explore Cayman Islands
Cayman Brac
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Stingray City
Getting around
Restaurants
Nightlife
Listings
The Town
North and East
Seven Mile Beach and
West Bay
Little Cayman
Little Cayman
Diving and fishing
Travel info
Google maps
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