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The Facts:
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman make up the sister islands to Grand Cayman. Cayman Brac is 89 miles north east of Grand Cayman. Only 12 miles long with an average width of 1.25 miles, making this islands area about 15 square miles. Cayman Brac has the most spectacular terrain of all three islands. The Bluff, rises steadily along the islands to a high point of 140 feet above sea level on the eastern side.
Little Cayman is 5 miles west of Cayman Brac. It is approximately 10 miles long and 1 mile wide, making this island 10 sqare miles. The highest point on Little Cayman is about 40 feet above sea level.
Cayman Brac
The famed Bluff is Cayman Brac's dominant limestone plateau, which helps to retain over sixty percent of the island's forest and shrub land. 'Brac' is Gaelic for bluff and this is the main focal point of the island, stretching from the west to the east and peaking at 140 ft to a sheer cliff. More than fifteen thousand people live on the island, spread over fourteen square miles of Cayman's most dramatic landscape. There are caves, sinkholes and woodland with a plethora of plants and birds. The bird watching is spectacular and a population of four hundred rare Brac parrots breed in the protected National Trust Parrot Reserve. The only colony of Brown Boobies also breeds on the eastern and southern bluff cliffs. Diving here is a huge attraction, especially the recently sunk wreck of the Russian Destroyer 356 (renamed M. V. Captain Keith Tibbetts) and suitable for snorkelling and a deep dive for experienced divers. The Brigadier type II Class Frigate, three hundred and thirty feet long, was part of the old Soviet fleet stationed in Cuba during the Cold War. The warship's guns are still visible and are gradually being covered by a blanket of coral growth.
Cayman Brac residences are made up of guesthouses, some small resorts, condominium complexes and several villages around the island.
Little Cayman
With about one hundred and fifty residents, Little Cayman remains over ninety percent in its natural state. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, iguanas and rare birds outnumber people over miles of pristine beaches. The Cayman Orchid may also be found here. Booby Pond Nature Reserve is a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) and protects the largest colony of the Red-Footed Booby in the Caribbean, alongside a colony of magnificent Frigate birds and a heronry. From various viewing platforms, it is possible to spot about hundred species of duck, rail, heron and shorebird.
With the reputation of having the Caribbean's best diving, a paradise just off the north shore of Little Cayman is Bloody Bay Marine Park, where the world famous Bloody Bay Wall dropping down to six thousand feet and Jackson 's Wall may be found. Owen Island, a bird sanctuary about six hundred feet off the south shore, has a great blue lagoon and sandy beach to snorkel to.
Little Cayman accommodations comprise several dive resorts, luxury condos and very exclusive private beach front villas. Pricing on the Sister Islands is much more reasonable than on Grand Cayman and purchase opportunities for ultimate island retreats are well worth the wait.
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