Summary
The best way to visit the Cayman Islands is by cruise, especially for anyone going on a Western Caribbean cruise.

The Cayman Islands are a British dependent territory consisting of three main islands with Grand Cayman being the largest and most popular. Tourism is driven to a great extent by cruise visits; the island has seven times more cruise visitors than stopovers, giving it the second highest rate in the Caribbean.

The huge cruise traffic makes Cayman an excursion mecca and a major duty-free shopping opportunity.

Our favorite excursion ever was our visit to Sting Ray City with the kids during a cruise stop. Visitors boat out to a sandbar and get into the water with snorkel gear to watch and touch a school of stingray that lives there and that has become accustomed to human touch.

Cayman is 8th in total tourism.

Attractions
Unique attractions on a Cayman Islands vacation include Sting Ray City, our favorite excursion ever; the Cayman Turtle Farm with 16,000 sea turtles; and Pedro St. James Historic Site. Noteworthy regular attractions include shopping, helicopter tours and  a high number of water sports. It's worth noting that the island has only one golf course, mainly due to high cruise tourism -- the brief visits don't easily allow golf excursions -- and low stopover tourism.

Tourism / When to Go
All U.S., U.K. and Canadian stopover visitors require passports. Cruise visitors simply need to have their ship IDs available when leaving the ship and returning.

The most popular month is March followed by April with December a close third. The least popular month is September followed by October, although it's worth noting that August has been a month that tempts fate with high hurricane activity, including Dean in 2007.

Weather
The hurricane season is July to November. Before Dean in 2007, the last two hurricanes to hit the islands directly were Ivan in 2004 and then all the way back to one in 1932. Others, however, have passed nearby. The average high temperature during the summer is in the high 80s while during the winter it is in the high 70s to low 80s. Tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Currency / Tipping / Taxes
Currency is the Cayman Dollar. U.S. visitors can pay with U.S. bills, but be prepared to receive change in Cayman coins. Hotels may include a 10 percent service charge, while taxi drivers and restaurant may include a 10-15 percent service charge. Goods and services generally aren't taxed, but hotel rooms have a 10 percent tax.

Culture / Geography
The dominant language is English. Because there is no direct taxation, the islands are better known as an offshore financial center than for tourism. The geography consists of a low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs.

Sources / More Information
U.S. Dept. of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1084.html
CIA Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cj.html
Caribbean Tourism Organization: http://www.onecaribbean.org
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaa.gov