Country Information

The national airline is Cayman Airways (www.caymanairways.com). Services include Havana, La Ceiba, New York, Tampa, and seasonal flights to Chicago, Dallas, Panama and Washington. British Airways (www.ba.com) also flies from London via Nassau regularly. Delta (www.delta.com), JetBlue (www.jetblue.com), United (www.united.com) and Air Canada are other major carriers to Cayman, many of whom also run seasonal flights. Inter-island travel is handled by Cayman Airways Express.

Departure tax is included in the cost of your airline ticket. Travellers under 12 years of age and transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours are exempt.

For many years there has been talk of redeveloping Grand Cayman's only airport, Owen Roberts International Airport, but to date, the depressed economy has stilled the progress.

Saturdays can see significant congestion at the airport due to its relatively small size compared to the amount of flights; be prepared to wait (bring water, sunscreen and a hat âEuro“ sometimes the lines can stretch outside, which isn't much fun at 1400 under a blazing Caribbean sun).

Cayman Brac Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CYB). (www.caymanairports.ky) The airport is 3km (2 miless) from the main tourist accommodation in the southwest. To/from the airport: Taxis can be arranged to meet flights.

Grand Cayman Airport (GCM). (www.caymanairports.com) The airport is 2km (1 mile) east of George Town. To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the centre (journey time - 10 minutes), operating from 0600 to 2300, for a fare of about US$1030.

Grand Cayman is one of the most popular Caribbean ports and a busy port of call for leading international cruise lines operating from North America, Mexico and Europe. Grand Cayman's port (www.caymanport.com) is situated in the capital, George Town. By day it handles cruise ships, then by night it switches over to cargo only.

Ships may also dock at the Royal Watler cruise terminal, which is a rather gaudy mess of tourist shops, tour operators peddling their wares and often steel band music to welcome visitors. However, in contrast to other Caribbean destinations, it is kept free of hawkers and unlicensed operators (outside the terminal is a different matter, of course).

Occasionally you will see mega-yachts anchored off shore; these huge ships are more than capable of handling the choppy waters over the reef. Sailing trips to Cayman are rare, mostly because of the deep water, but private boats are very well served.

The George Town Barcadere marina (www.barcadere.com) is a brand new, world-class and environmentally-friendly marina located on the North Sound coastline and adjacent to the airport. There are 83 slips and it can handle ships up to 40m (130ft) in length, with a maximum draft of 2.4m (8ft). A chandlery, showroom, boatyard, restaurant (with Wi-Fi) and more are available.

It may be surprising initially, but ferries do not operate between the three islands due to the immense depth of the ocean. Cayman's islands are the tips of ancient underwater volcanoes (long since extinct, don't worry!) and some of the deepest seas in the world surround them. Trips between Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are possible by private hire.

Ships currently tender passengers to shore but conversations have been ongoing for nearly 20 years about potential development of a cruise dock to enable the country to handle the largest Oasis-class cruise ships.

There are sometimes long waits to re-board the tenders for the cruise ships which the country is addressing by providing additional shade.