Ocean safari
With the crystal clear, warm waters of the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands boast some world-class diving sites that thrum with marine activity. Just off the coast of Little Cayman is the Bloody Bay Wall. You only have to dive about six metres down before you’re staring into an inky abyss as the wall drops dramatically into the unknown. This expansive, vertical reef features tube sponges that’ll wave as you pass and bright, bioluminescent corals. Divers can also explore several shipwreck sites. Some have become artificial reefs, but where nature has yet to reclaim these vessels, you can swim inside for a look around and find a sweet photo-op. Turtles are also a major draw for visitors, and the dense population around the islands ensures that you’ll be rubbing shoulders with them on almost every outing.
Sun-soaked leisure
Of course, if you only want to use your cheap flights to the Cayman Islands to relax, then you won’t be left out in the cold. Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac all have pristine, white sandy beaches that dip smoothly into the purest, aquamarine water. Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is one of the busiest with palm trees and straw umbrellas offering shady spots to escape the heat and sun. For a quieter option, why not relax with a sweet, dark rum cocktail on the very aptly named Rum Point Beach, also located on Grand Cayman? It’s only fitting after all.
When to go
December to April is considered peak season in the Cayman Islands. They enjoy a balmy average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius with low humidity. Flight prices will be higher during this period, particularly over Christmas and into January. However, they do come down afterwards, particularly towards the end of the season. Even though July and August aren’t considered peak times on the islands, flight costs from the United Kingdom (UK) do increase considerably.
You can expect frequent, short and heavy rains from September to October. More places on the islands may be closed, but there will be fewer tourists and more deals on for flights. Fly out in November for Pirate Week, the swashbuckling celebration of the Caribbean’s illicit past. Flight prices will be low, and the high season rush won’t have started.
If you’re concerned about the best time for diving, the Cayman Islands boasts incredible visibility year-round. Nevertheless, it may be slightly better between December and April, since there will be very little rain or hurricanes to disrupt dives.
Airports and airlines
To find the best deals on Cayman Island flights, we recommend using our calendar feature. It allows you to compare airfares across a whole month. You can then filter this information by choosing the length of your trip and type of flights (direct or indirect).
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to the Cayman Islands from the United Kingdom at the moment. A stopover in Europe, the United States or the Caribbean will be required. Sometimes routes that require two connections on either the outbound or return flight will be cheaper.
While it is possible to depart from airports, such as Edinburgh and Manchester, flying from London will give you more flexibility on departure dates as well as more budget friendly airfare options. Short domestic flights to London are widely available, so this is something to consider. Carriers that service the Cayman Islands will include Delta Airlines, British Airways and American Airlines.