Elegant Bride....

FOR THE NEW MAN AND WIFE,

THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CALL

If you dream of a honeymoon in tune with the sea, the motto of the Cayman Islands beckons you: "He hath founded it upon the seas." A honeymoon by the sea provides the perfect foundation for a life together and the Cayman Islands provide a perfect sea and much more.

It is the perfect location--just 480 miles south of Miami--that blesses Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman with the magnificent Caribbean Sea and some of the best honeymoon weather in the world. Nestled in consistently calm western Caribbean waters, the Cayman Islands rarely report weather changes out of the 80s. In fact, the local newspaper usually describes the weather as having "no significant features."

Unlike the weather, a honeymoon in the Cayman Islands can have many significant features. From many relaxing beaches to a wide variety of watersports ideal for couples, you can do as little or as much as you want on any of these three gems.

The largest of the three islands, Grand Cayman, is the center of trade and government for the tiny British Caribbean nation. But Grand Cayman draws the most attention because of Seven Mile Beach, one of the world's most famous stretches of sand.

On one side of the white coral sands, you'll find beachfront hotels, resorts, and condominiums, beautifully adorned with pools, flowering gardens, elegant gazebos, outdoor cafes, and renowned restaurants. On the other side of the shoreline, you'll find the crystal-clear Caribbean as far as the eye can see. It's the ideal honeymoon beach.

Along Seven Mile Beach and at several other resort areas on the island, you can find many private areas to share quiet times. But you can also take off into the water for superior scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and boating experiences. Quite possibly, Grand Cayman is the underwater capital of the world, with reefs protected by law and national park status, as well as the unique opportunity to dive or snorkel with stingrays at Stingray City.

If one or both of you don't dive, the Cayman Islands offer an ideal opportunity to try it or get certified. You'll still have plenty of time to enjoy eachother. Scuba diving is an ideal sport for couples and it's quite easy to learn (see the diving article in this issue).

When you can break away from the beach and shimmering sea, the island is fun and easy to explore. Your best bet is to rent a car or hire a friendly local taxi driver to take you on a tour. Most tours start with George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. Couples will find this charming waterfront town is rich in history and filled with activity.

From fine British lines and china to local crafts, the shopping is both duty- and hassle-free. Unique honeymoon keepsakes can include jewelry crafted from black coral or a silver or gold coin retrieved from a nearby sunken vessel.

When your shopping spree is complete, have some lunch at local restaurant and then soak up some island history on the George Town Historical Walking Tour, which takes you past the churches, memorials, homes, and buildings that played a historic role in the islands' past. For a more in-depth view, history buffs should head to the Cayman Islands National Museum, where exhibits and videos vividly display the history of the Cayman Islands, including their emergence out of the ocean and early seafaring days.

Other daytime options include: a visit to the unusual Cayman Turtle Farm, where visitors can see green sea turtles ranging from the tiniest hatchling to the massive adults swimming in the breeding pond; sending a honeymoon postcard from the town of Hell, named after its strange rock formations; exploring Grand Cayman's woodland interior at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park; or heading 100'-800' underwater in a submarine.

In the evening, you can relax away the day at Seven Mile Beach, where the sunsets can be dramatic and the clear night sky quickly fills with stars. Grand Cayman evenings also feature some of the most elegant dining opportunities in the Caribbean. Well-known chefs now call Grand Cayman home, offering cuisine from around the world, as well as local specialties like Cayman conch, turtle steak, and rum cake. It's the tasty ending to another grand Grand Cayman day.

Though Grand Cayman can be quite quiet and relaxing, the Cayman Islands feature two smaller sister islands that are even more serene. Located just 90 miles from George Town and about five miles from each other, the quiet islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman offer two more romantic Caymanian calling cards.

Cayman Brac is a tiny 12-mile stretch of low-lying land that rises to a spectacular 140-foot bluff dotted with caves. The island is home to 1,400 full-time residents, known as "Brackers," who love sharing their island with visiting couples. Cayman Brac is an ideal place for couples who enjoy nature's bounty onshore and off. As with Grand Cayman, the diving and snorkeling at more than 50 sites is nothing short of spectacular. Other watersports, including fishing and boating are also popular. On land, hiking, biking, and birdwatching are the perfect ways to enjoy the native parrots, lightening-quick iguanas, and wild orchids. History hounds will enjoy the quaint Cayman Brac Museum, where locals show you what life was like in the old days on this isolated island.

Of course, a small number of resorts, hotel, condominiums, and guest houses cater to couples in search of a quiet getaway. After a day of activity or just relaxing on one of the small uncrowded beaches, the evenings can be filled with a romantic meal for two, a long stroll on the beach, or a local show.

If Cayman Brac somehow seems too busy for your tastes, then Little Cayman is big on peace and quiet for couples in search of the ultimate honeymoon getaway. With fewer than 50 residents and only a few hotels, Little Cayman is an 11-mile stretch of private paradise.

Beauty abounds on this little island, dotted with mangrove forests, a lagoon, and landlocked Tarpon Pond where some say the fish actually jump in your boat. If one of you fish, the bonefishing on Little Cayman's sunny flats is said to be among the world's finest. Offshore, the diving is as good as anywhere in the islands, with Bloody Bay Wall the main attraction.

The beaches and accommodations are incredibly secluded, but couples in search of complete privacy can head to Owen Island, just 200 yards offshore. Those in the know pack a picnic lunch, row out to the island, and spend a day in total solitude.

Whichever island you choose, you should heed the call of the Cayman Islands. Above the surface and below, the islands provide the perfect foundation for any honeymoon.

Lynn Seldon has visited the Cayman Islands many times as a guest of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. Air transportation was provided by Cayman Airways and USAir. Accommodations were provided by Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman, Indies Suites, Sleep Inn Hotel, Sunset House, Victoria House, and Villas at the Galleon.