The warm, pristine waters around the Cayman Islands provide the perfect conditions for all manner of watersports. Whatever your age or ability, you can find something to do under, beside or floating on the water.
Personal watercraft: adrenalin junkies and those who feel the need for speed will delight in whizzing up and down Seven Mile Beach or around North Sound on Jet Skis or Waverunners.
No special skills are required to drive these fast craft, and guided “safaris” take in various snorkel and pit stops.
Kite boarding: during the windier months of the year, kite boarders are a colourful spectacle as their kites fill the sky and they practice jumping, spinning, looping, edging and tacking in the waters off Barkers and East End.
Beginners can take lessons from a number of kitesurfing operations.
Windsurfing and surfing: windsurfers and surfers can equally take advantage of a strong breeze to practise their favourite watersport. Surfers will find decent breaks off South Sound and occasionally Seven Mile Beach during a nor’wester gale, while East End offers the best conditions for windsurfing.
WOW balls: for a 10 minute burst of fun, try climbing inside the clear plastic WOW (Walk on Water) balls on Seven Mile Beach or at the Grand Caymanian resort, and try to stand, walk or run–rather than slip, slide and fall–on the surface of the sea.
Parasailing: get a bird’s eye view of Grand Cayman as you are winched up several hundred feet into the air, and kept aloft by a huge parachute, when you take a parasailing trip. Getting dunked in the water at the end is optional.
Kayaking: tranquil, water-based activities include kayaking tours where, under your own steam, you can explore the amazing mangrove ecosystems, or paddle into the magical bioluminescent bay under the cover of darkness and experience the unique phenomenon of light-emitting plankton that causes the water to sparkle and glow.
Paddle boarding: stand-up paddle boarding is said to be the fastest growing watersport in recent years, and Cayman is the ideal place to get to grips with this simple-to-learn activity.
Large, stable boards make it easy to stand up and balance but once you are underway, your core muscles will be getting a great workout as you paddle along the coast, taking in the views.
More experienced paddle boarders can practice surfing small waves or yoga-on-a-board.
Yacht charters: numerous motor and sail boat charters are available which will take you and your party to some top spots for snorkelling, fishing, eating or anywhere else you fancy. Half, full day and sunset trips can be customised according to individual interests.
Jetpack: Watersports junkies will be able to try a new experience in Cayman this winter, which allows them to walk on water or fly through the air. Participants strap on a flight pack attached to a long hose with a pump that uses seawater as a propellant.
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