What's hot in the Cayman Islands
Britain's darling of the cooking world, April Bloomfield, the chef originally from Manchester who took Manhattan by storm, is joining Eric Ripert's impressive line up of celebrity chefs for the Caribbean's top culinary event. Running from 12-15 January 2012, Cayman Cookout, hosted by the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman attracts names such as Anthony Bourdain who join Eric Ripert to perform culinary miracles on idyllic beachfront settings and in some of Cayman's top restaurants. Tickets are on sale for the ultimate gourmet getaway in the food lover's capital of the Caribbean which kicks off Culinary Month in the Cayman Islands. caymanislands.ky/cookout
Oceanfront home-from-homes now available to rent through Luxury Villa Living
Some of the most beautiful private villas in the Caribbean can be found hidden among the seagrape and palm trees on the beaches of the Cayman Islands, and now they are available to book through the UK's five star villa specialist, Luxury Villa Living. From palatial six bedroom houses in South Sound to the gorgeous villa-style The Club on Little Cayman, Luxury Villa Living has found the best of the best. luxuryvillaliving.com
See Cayman at the UK's first Wildlife Show at Alexandra Palace, 14 & 15 October
Anyone who dreams of swimming with huge friendly Southern stingrays in the wild, or is fascinated by the tale of the Blue Iguana which was brought back from functional extinction and can be found no where else on earth, should visit the Cayman Islands at UK's first wildlife show, The WildlifeXpo at Alexandra Palace. The Cayman Islands will have an expert from the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme at our stand, who will also be giving a special talk about this incredible conservation between 11.45 and 12.15 on Friday. Find us on stand 60a in the West Hall. wildlifexpo.com
Now tourists can help beat the invasion of the dastardly Lionfish
Cayman's dive industry has come up with several novel ways of encouraging tourists to counter the invasion of the non-native and venomous lionfish which is threatening the Caribbean's reefs and natural marine life (as reported by the Sunday Times on 2nd October). Divers can now learn a special one-day Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty course and gain a lionfish culling license; non-divers and snorkelers can still go out on boat and shore excursions to help track them, and even those that don't want to be involved in the culling can still contribute by asking for lionfish at their favourite restaurant (try Michael's Genuine Foods in Camana Bay) or they can even buy it at the fish market and try cooking it in their apartment - it is delicious when pan-fried in a little butter. Eating fish doesn't come more sustainable than this. oceanfrontiers.com/what-to-see/lionfish-hunt.html
And Try a White Tip Beer & help Shark Conservation
The Cayman Islands Department of Environment and Marine Conservation International have teamed up with Caybrew, the Cayman Islands' local beer company, to produce the world's first conservation lager, White Tip. For every can of White Tip sold, a donation is made to the shark conservation project which aims to prevent the radical decline in shark species some of which have seen a drop in as much as 90% as a result of unregulated fishing for shark fins to meet the demand of the South East Asian restaurant trade. For further information on the White Tip conservation project visit cib.ky
Calling all divers! Take 'The Green Short Challenge' & dive all 55 East End dive sites!
Ocean Frontiers, the dive shop based at Compass Point on Grand Cayman's East End, is challenging divers to run the gauntlet of logging every one of the 55 dive sites located in the region. A custom log book has been produced with hand drawn illustrations of the sites, of which there are 27 wall dives and 28 shallow reef drives. What better way to create your own personalised guide book to Cayman's East End dive sites. Loyal divers can log all previous dives - records of which have been kept by Ocean Frontiers since it opened in 1996 - and there is no time limit to complete the challenge. Divers who accept the challenge receive a special pair of Green Shorts, an Ocean Frontiers Gold Medal and a bronze plaque cast with their name, which is installed on the 'Divers Wall of Fame'. Fellow divers will enjoy your celebratory Green Short Cake and Champagne too. oceanfrontiers.com
Avast there ye old seadogs! All aboard for Pirates Week....
One of Cayman's best loved festivals, Pirates Week, takes place from 10th - 20th November. The eleven day party celebrates the island's heritage with mock pirate invasions, local food & drinks, music, dancing, parades, competitions, fireworks and more! Heritage days take place in various districts around the island and offer some of the best in local food and music. The fun and frivolity has another dimension with the demonstrations of traditional Caymanian activities, such as thatch rope making, which adds an interesting element and showcases the country's heritage. piratesweekfestival.com ?
The Cayman Islands Marathon on 4th December - eight weeks left to train!
First launched in 2002, the Cayman Islands Marathon is one of the most stylish of all boutique marathons with a rapidly growing fan-base from the UK and Europe. The event consists of a full marathon, a half marathon, a 4-person relay and a Kids Fun Run. Great community spirit and entertainment makes this sporting event more light-hearted than most and is well worth the effort. For more information and to register, visit caymanislandsmarathon.com
Real Food, Real Farmers, Real Community - Farmers Market at Camana Bay
For a real slice of island life, head to Camana Bay, just a short drive from Seven Mile Beach, for the Weekly Farmers Market. Every Wednesday, local vendors, farmers and producers from all over the island gather to showcase and sell an eclectic and truly surprising collection of fresh fruit and veg, baked goodies and juices, homemade jams and relishes, hand crafted jewellery, delicious street food such as fried fish and fritters. This is not only a great shopping experience for mementos to take home but a fantastic way to meet the locals and find out about the beating heart of Cayman. 12 pm to 7 pm, corner of Forum Lane and Market Street. camanabay.com
Special Pre-Christmas deals at the Brac Reef Beach Resort
Anyone looking for a Christmas getaway between 26th November and 17th December can take advantage of great pre-Christmas rates from the newly refurbished Brac Reef Beach Resort. This gorgeous resort on over 4 acres of white sand on the second largest sister island of Cayman Brac is offering a special seven night rate of just US$1395 including breakfast and dinner daily, 12 boat dives and airport transfers. Upgrade to a junior suite for just US$200 per week. Previous visitors to the resort can claim a 'Back to the Brac' discount too. For more information visit bracreef.com
Kittiwake prepares to celebrate her first birthday
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the USS Kittiwake was scuttled just off Seven Mile Beach on 5th January 2011, but as the full dive boats are testament to, she remains one of world's most popular dive and snorkel experiences to be created in a decade or more. As the Cayman Islands prepares to celebrate her first birthday, make sure you secure your diving experience with one of the many operators that run scheduled trips to the Kittiwake. Non-divers and children are welcome. All operators are listed on the official website, kittiwakecayman.com
