The Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman may just be a few minutes away by air, but they’re light years away from the larger island’s hustle and bustle of Grand Cayman.

Both islands are considerably smaller than Grand Cayman and offer visitors a laid back, chilled out alternative.

Cayman Brac, the larger of the two Sister Islands, is 12 miles long and two miles wide at its widest point, while Little Cayman is truly tiny – a mere 10 miles square.

These islands were first spotted by Christopher Columbus in 1503. He dubbed them Las Tortugas.

The Brac boasts the highest point in all of the three Cayman Islands with its Bluff rising 140 feet above sea level on the eastern side of the island. The island gets its name, translated from the Gaelic, from the Bluff.

A walk along the Bluff offers spectacular sea views and a vista over part of the island.

The island is ideal for nature lovers, with its almost 200 species of birds and many scenic nature walks.

Not to be missed on a visit to the Brac are the caves that are dotted throughout the Bluff. Most of the better known one are well signposted along the roads and are easy to access. Just remember to bring some sturdy walking shoes.

Brackers, as inhabitants of the Brac are known, have sought shelter from devastating tropical storms and hurricanes in these caves for years, and some still do.

Unlike its nearby bigger sister island, Little Cayman is very flat, so no climbing is necessary, unless it’s to climb into a hammock and relax and enjoy one of the most idyllic little islands in the Caribbean.

Little Cayman was the first of the Cayman Islands to be settled, when turtle fishermen set up fishing camps there in the 1600s. It was raided by a Spanish privateer and abandoned in 1671 and remained unoccupied until 1833 when a few families set up home in what is now Blossom Village.

Many visitors return to Little Cayman year after year to experience its spectacular diving, with Bloody Bay Wall marine park being one of the most popular sites.

A road loops around the island so visitors can drive along the coast around the entire island. In true small island fashion, other drivers will wave and acknowledge you as you pass.