The Cayman Islands are also world-famous as a scuba diving destination because of their crystal-clear waters and their proximity to the Cayman Wall. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are also considered to be elite dive destinations. There are several snorkeling locations where tourists can swim with stingrays. Divers find two shipwrecks off the shores of Cayman Brac particularly interesting.

The three islands of the Cayman Islands are the exposed top of an underwater mountain. Underwater, the sides of this mountain are quite steep, vertical in some places, within as little as a few hundred meters from shore.

In addition to the expected coral reefs, colorful fish, and other underwater creatures, this "wall diving" provides something extra-ordinary for scuba divers. Scuba diving in the Caymans can be done by boat, or at many dive sites, directly from shore.

The tourism industry on the Cayman Islands caters to divers, with many resorts and condominium complexes having in-house diving operations offering course work, daily excursions, SCUBA Equipment sales and rentals.

Location: Caribbean, three island (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) group in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
Geographic coordinates: 19° 30' N, 80° 30' W
Coastline km: 160 km km
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
Currency: Caymanian dollar (KYD)
Population: 45,436 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: English
Capital: George Town
Divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

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