A SECLUDED island that stretches just 10 miles long is the perfect getaway spot offering tranquility and beautiful crystal blue ocean views.
Little Cayman Island located in the Caribbean Sea may be small, but it has everything you would want for an island vacation.
Little Cayman Island – part of the British Overseas Territories – is located south of Cuba between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Jamaica.
It is only an hour away from Miami, Florida, but to get to the island you may need to take a few different flights.
Still, the island provides tourists with miles of beautiful beaches and plenty of other activities to pass the time in paradise.
Here, we round up everything you need to know to travel to Little Cayman Island.
WHY LITTLE CAYMAN ISLAND?
The people of Little Cayman Island boast a unique mentality and approach to life and are said to be warm and welcoming.
Tourists say everyone – and everything – is very open and trustworthy, so locking your car or villa isn’t a necessity, per a Trip Advisor report.
Little Cayman Island also does not get an excessive amount of tourism – so you won’t have to worry about it being overcrowded – and only has a population of about 160 people.
The overall energy on the island is also very relaxed, encouraging others to enjoy the peace.
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The island also offers mesmerizing blue waters, white sands, tons of palm trees, and immense wild and marine life.
Some animals you can expect to see are Red-Footed Boobies, frigate birds, occasional parrots, rock iguanas, anole lizards, and a wide variety of land and sea crabs.
The island is recognized as a Hope Spot because a lot of endangered species are thriving on the island, Reef Research said.
This includes green, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles, and whistling ducks that are found in the hundreds.
Little Cayman Island is also home to coral reefs that contribute to the island’s rich biodiversity.
WHAT ARE THE BEST LITTLE CAYMAN ISLAND VACATION DEALS?
Getting to Little Cayman Island isn’t entirely easy – but the views and relaxation make it worth it.
For starters, you’ll need to get to a hub that flies to Owen Roberts International Airport, which serves the biggest of the three Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman.
Cayman Airways offers non-stop direct flights to Owen Roberts from New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Other airlines, including Delta, also fly to the Grand Cayman airport, making it accessible from all parts of the country.
Once you arrive at Grand Cayman you’ll take a flight to Little Cayman Island with Cayman Airways or Cayman Island Helicopters.
The entire journey will have multiple layovers and will take at least half a day, so you’ll want to factor that in when planning your trip.
Flights from the continental US to Grand Cayman will cost between $500 and $900 round trip – before adding on the final flight to Little Cayman Island.
Then, once you’re on the island, you can choose to stay in one of the resorts, beach villas, beach bungalows, beach condos, or beach cottages.
There are villas and small hotels, but none of the major chains you might expect within the US.
Resort-wise, you can choose Little Caymann Beach Resort, Brac Reef Beach Resort, or Le Soleil d’Or.
Two of the most popular villa spots are called Paradise Villas and Cayman Villas.
Southern Cross Club offers beach bungalows and cottages.
The Club at Little Cayman and Conch Club Condominiums have luxury beach condos, and then Sunset Cove is a smaller hotel option.
Overall, you can expect to pay about $300 per night, but be prepared to spend more if you opt for a luxurious location.
As far as transportation goes, many people will travel the island by foot or you can rent a bike or scooter.
But if you choose to rent a vehicle, many opt to use Jeeps.
WHAT MAKES LITTLE CAYMAN ISLAND WORLD-CLASS?
You’ll want to get in tune with your marine nature instinct while visiting Little Cayman Island.
The island is full of hidden beaches that are tucked behind the bush.
But once you walk up, you’re met with some of the most untouched bodies of water and sand.
One of the hidden beaches to stumble upon is Point of Sand which is known for its fine white sand and shallow turquoise water said to be quiet and peaceful.
Some have even described the sand as having a pink hue to it.
Point of Sand also has a walkway you can take out into the shallow ocean waters.
There are several other main beaches you can frolic too as well.
Barkers Beach has lush tropical foliage and beautiful mangroves, Cemetery Beach is perfect for watersports and snorkeling, and Seven Mile Beach has been named the fourth-best beach in the Caribbean.
Others include Governors Beach, Barefoot Beach, and Cayman Kai Public Beach.
The island’s relaxed pace, small population, beautiful beaches, and majestic marine life make it a world-class destination that is not to be missed.
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO ON LITTLE CAYMAN ISLAND?
Little Cayman Island has no shortage of activities and highlights.
One of the top attractions is Bloody Bay Wall, the most recognized coral reef on the island.
Bloody Bay Wall is a submerged mountain range that has a wall that drops down 6,500 feet to the seafloor and offers unparalleled dives.
You’ll need to get your scuba diving suit ready for this one.
The top of the wall has tons of marine life including sailfin blennies, arrow crabs, and octopus.
Further down, you can catch a glimpse of barrel sponges, nasa grouper, barracuda, and black durgeon triggerfish said to patrol the water above the coral.
Some of the island’s popular dive sites include Three Fathom Wall, Marylin’s Cut, Donna’s Delight, Randy’s Gazebo, Lea Lea’s Lookout, Coconut Walk, Barracuda Bite, Joy’s Joy Jigsaw Puzzle, and Fisheye Fantasy.
Another popular activity is going bird watching as the island is home to tons of unique bird species.
Visitors can also participate in watersports and go horseback riding, among other activities.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LITTLE CAYMAN ISLAND?
There is no bad time of year to visit Little Cayman Island.
Temperatures hover well above 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and climb into the 90s during peak summer months.
Of course, that means you’ll need to be equipped with plenty of sunscreen, plus a hat and light layers.
And don’t forget to pack your sunglasses.
The island boasts plenty of dining opportunities for all to enjoy, including pub-style food and seafood options.
Some of the restaurants you’ll want to check out include Hungry Iguana, Birds of Paradise, The Tipsy Turtle, The Palms Caribbean, Sunset Oceanview Bar/BBQ, Union Barr/Grill, and Captain’s Table.