Grand Cayman: Places to Visit

In this week's "Winning Ways" I used Hell, the Grand Cayman tourist attraction, as an illustration. I was never a fan of Hell, but there are many many beautiful attractions to see on Grand Cayman. With so many people traveling to my former island on cruises out of Galveston, I am often asked the "must see" places there. Here's a short and incomplete list, but keep in mind that I've been away for 5 years, so details have likely changed since my life there:

• Stingray City. If you can only choose one stop (off a cruise ship, for example), make it this one. This is a sandbar in the middle of the North Sound, about 4-5 feet deep and sandy. Imagine a giant swimming pool. Stingrays come in for the squid that tour boats provide, and the tour operators will show you how to feed a stingray and hold one in your arms. Most tour operations will supply the snorkel gear for a stop at Coral Gardens, too. This is about 10-feet deep, over coral formations with colorful fish. You may even see a moray eel. The North Sound is protected by a barrier reef and so it is usually as smooth as lake water.
• The Turtle Farm. When I was on the island, the Turtle Farm had one of the largest gift shops. Grand Cayman was known for green sea turtles in years past. The Turtle Farm keeps the tradition alive. You will see turtles at all stages of existence, from eggs to babies to huge 4-and-5 feet "breeder" turtles.
• Pedro St. James. Also known as "Pedro's Castle." I'm a history fan, and this was one of the best ways for tourists to get acquainted with Cayman history. There's a show in the theater that will introduce you to Cayman's past, and the doors open up to allow you to walk on the beautiful grounds overlooking the Caribbean Sea to the south. There's a 3-story house on the grounds with many items of life in Cayman's past.
• Seven Mile Beach. Clear blue-green water gently lapping white sand: what more can I say? Swim out to Governor's Reef or Cemetery Reef from the beaches in front of these snorkel spots, or find covered picnic tables and public restrooms at Public Beach. You may also find the parasail operations along here, as well as jetskis and other watersport rentals.