USVI-On-Line

Anyone been to Cayman Brac? Some friends are going (pretty much going blind because a very good deal fell their way). It sounds interesting, but I haven't been able to get too clear a picture of what it's like.

Thanks

Thanks. I'd appreciate any info. I never had any interest in Grand Cayman but didn't realize how different the other two Caymans are. I haven't had much success in getting a lot of first hand info about Cayman Brac, which makes it all the more interesting to me.

Hi Lex, I have spent a week on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and loved them both. If I ever had a chance to live in the caribbean it would be Cayman Brac. It is very livable with grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. Not very touristy at all. Mostly divers and rock climbers. We stayed in a privately owned cottage and it was perfect. The owners provided paints and crafts and requested that we create some "rock" art with our names and where we were from. We had a blast searching for the perfect rock to create our masterpiece. Their stone walkway to the beach was lined with art from all their previous guests. I noticed that seems to be a trend there at the resorts etc. They have lots of rocks there. It is not St. John but very unique in it's own way. Little Cayman was much more secluded with one tiny grocery store that was also the liquor store and car rental. I'm sure you will have a wonderful vacation if you prefer no crowds and quiet. Snorkels

Thanks for the info. I hadn't been having much luck in getting first hand experiences, so I really appreciate the responses I'm getting here. I'm particularly interested in knowing about how the snorkeling is off the beaches.

I'm actually managing two threads right now, but rather than asking you to check my other thread, I'll just post questions from that other thread. Any info you'd be willing to share will be much appreciated.
Thanks.


So I have lots of questions, maybe more than you're interested in answering, but whatever you do care to share will be appreciated. While I don't have a clear picture of either island, I have kind of a very general overview. Most of my questions would be for both islands. These are to get a picture of the places. Specific stuff (like how to actually get there or who to rent a vehicle from ) would come later.

Are there towns/villages? With restaurants, bars, markets? Similar to Coral Bay, perhaps? Or maybe more like the East End of STJ? Do you get a feel of being in the West Indies rather than being on some sort of resort island? Do you run into other tourists or do they tend to stay within resorts? Are most businesses and lodgings owned and staffed by West Indians? Assuming that there are some restaurants, do they have mostly local food or an American/European menu? We usually rent a small cottage or stay at something like a B&B rather than tuck ourselves into a resort. We also like to experience the local culture rather than isolate ourselves from it. Are local people friendly/outgoing/reserved? Welcoming of tourists or sick of tourists?

I guess more specific to each island: I'm picturing the Brac as a rocky place with great diving with caves and cliffs. Is the snorkeling close to the beach or do you have to go out a ways? Are there reefs? Is it difficult to access the water? Some beaches look pretty nasty as far as rocks. Is one side or end of the island more desirable for snorkeling? Is one area more desirable to look for accomodation?

Little Cayman seems to be the bonefish capital of possibly the world. I don't fish. It seems many of the beaches are flats. Is there some good snorkeling off some of the beaches? Again, is it a ways out or closeby? Reefs? Is one side/end better for snorkeling? Is one side/end better to look for accomodation? You mentioned that 5 days on the Brac seemed enough. Same for Little Cayman?