Scuba Diving Vacations, Caribbean Honeymoon, Grand Cayman Island

Located in the western area of the Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands is a popular tourist destination and an important financial center for this area of the world. The Cayman Islands includes three different islands: Grand Cayman Island, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. The islands are actually the highest points of a huge undersea ridge, the Cayman Trench. Altogether, this feature rises 8,000 feet from the floor of the ocean, enough to breech the water's surface. An extension of the Cuban Sierra Maestra range, the three islands were formed when giant coral heads formed over peaks that dated back to the Ice Age. Although they are primarily flat, Cayman Brac has a feature on the eastern portion of the island called The Bluff that rises to a height of 140 feet. The underwater scenery is a significant draw for tourists, making the Cayman Islands a popular choice for individuals and groups looking for thrilling and memorable scuba diving vacations.

Of the three islands, Grand Cayman is by far the largest. Its total area measures 76 square miles. The other two Caymans are located approximately 80 miles east of Grand Cayman. Cayman Brac measures 14 square miles, while Little Cayman is 10 square miles. These two are actually considered to be "sister islands." All three islands are popular destinations for a Caribbean honeymoon and other vacations. The island cluster is about 400 miles south of the city of Miami, Florida, and 195 miles to the northwest of the island of Jamaica.

In addition to the interesting topography, the Cayman Islands feature several varieties of unique fauna that are often a draw for animal lovers hoping to see something special on their Caribbean vacation. These include the Cayman Brac Parrot and the Grand Cayman Parrot, each native only to the islands in their names.