The Cayman Islands are well known for the outstanding dive sites and clear waters, but what if this doesn’t interest you? Well there are plenty of other water sports that you can take part in. John Guinn, the Cayman Islands Specialist at Holiday Hut lists his top nine.
Parasailing
When parasailing (also know as parascending) you are attached to a specially designed parachute, or parasail, and to a boat. The forward movement of the boat causes the parachute to rise and you are lifted up in the air. If the boat has enough power, then two or three people can share the same parachute.
Jet Ski
Jet Ski is a brand name, but in the same way that all spa baths are Jacuzzis and all vacuum cleaners are Hoovers, any personal watercraft that relies on a petrol powered engine and acts like a motorbike is know as a Jet Ski.
Jet skiing is fantastic fun, after a brief introduction you could be powering across the water on your own, or even going on a Jet Ski Safari to Stingray City. Just try not to think about the fact that they don’t have brakes!
Kiteboarding/Kitesurfing
Simple to explain, but difficult to master, a kiteboarder has his feet strapped to a board, while holding onto a large kite. The kite is used to propel the kiteboarder across the water. Both the board and the kite have to be controller to enable the kiteboarder to move and to do stunts. The Cayman Islands have a warm steady wind year round, making it the ideal place to learn to Kiteboard.
Windsurfing
Once called ‘surfing’s ginger haired cousin’ by the traditional surfers, windsurfing has become very popular, and until recently windsurfers were able to travel on waves that were too large for tradition surfing. A windsurf board is similar to a surfboard, but has a large sail, with a boon attached to it. Similar stunts to those performed by kiteboarders are possible. The best place to windsurf on Grand Cayman is near a flat water reef at East End. Speak to local guides if you want a more challenging surf.
Wakeboarding
When wakeboarding you are towed along by a motorboat while your feet are strapped to a wakeboard. It is a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing.
Wakesurfing
A surfer is pulled along by the same type of boat that is used in wakeboarding, except the surfer releases the two rope and surfs the wake produced by the boat in a similar manner as normal surfing.
Surfing
Not a sport that you would associate with the calm Caribbean Sea, but at certain times of the year it is possible to have some challenging waves around he Cayman Islands. The Hurricane Season particularly August and September can see large swells due to nearby hurricanes and tropical storms. Although you could go weeks without a decent wave.
Sailing
Although off the beaten track, the Cayman Islands have excellent waters in which to sail. Despite the generally calm waters, there are hidden dangers with the many coral reefs around the islands, so care should be taken. Also these reefs make excellent places to stop and admire the underwater life (following the strict laws about mooring, or course). It is probably best to avoid the hurricane season as the rains and winds can make sailing difficult. If you don’t have your own boat, local companies have group sailings, or you could charter your own yacht along with a crew.
Kayaks
Sometimes called a canoe in error, a kayak differs from a canoe in that it has a closed paddling area. Also in a kayak you sit on a seat directly on the bottom of the boat and your legs are extended in front of you, but in a canoe you either kneel or sit on a elevated seat.
You can either kayak along the beach near your hotel, or for a magical experience you could go on a guided Eco-Tour around Grand Cayman and get a better understanding of the natural hidden beauty of the Cayman Islands.
Visit www.caymanactivityguide.com for a list of suppliers for these activities. This website also has discount vouchers for some companies. For more information on how to get the most out of your Cayman Islands holiday contact John Guinn at Holiday Hut Ltd
