The tradition of Easter camping in the Cayman Islands is intertwined with the romance of yesteryear’s reliance on the sea and land.
 
It offers a return to a simpler time and the realisation that these Islands have been blessed bountifully.
 
The charm of the outdoors and the freedom that nature provides allows us to imagine ourselves as part of nature –if only for a weekend – as we depend on its moods and timing for the night’s catch and whether the fire will stay lit to enjoy it.
 
“It gives me satisfaction to go camping, especially when all the elements come together and you feel like nature is working with you.
 
“It is one thing to get people to cooperate but when you are in communion with the earth, there is something to be said for that,” says Tito Bonilla, who sets up tent in the Cayman Kai area of Grand Cayman every year.
 
The yearly camper professes that there was a great deal of novelty associated with peering through the foliage of a seldom trodden coastline, only to see family and friends on the horizon.
 
Essentials
Before heading out for a camping trip during Easter, there are several items one should consider. Among these is of course your tent, which will act as your base for the weekend, so make it a good one.
 
Other essentials include a good flashlight, fishing tackle, batteries, mosquito repellent and utensils for preparing food that is caught from the water or land crabs that have the misfortune of entering your fortress.
 
Just be sure you do not fall afoul of local regulations when fishing.
 
A new addition to the list of essentials campers are insisting on is entertainment devices. These can be as mundane as a video game on a cell phone or as sophisticated as a lap top computer with a DVD player and access to the Internet.
 
Whatever you decide to take, just make sure you’re comfortable.

Once You’re There
Your location probably depends on familiarity with the Island and where you feel most safe, aware and in control, but camping sites are strewn around Grand Cayman during Easter time and it won’t be hard to find a colony of likeminded folk on any stretch of beach.
 
Some of the more popular spots are along the Queen’s Highway, or in and around Rum Point and Kaibo. Of course, Seven Mile Beach is also very popular.
For those with a fairly larger budget there are homes available along Kaibo and Rum Point roads.
 
One accessory that will definitely set your experience apart is a watercraft of some kind.
 
Whether it is a boat, a kayak or a wave runner, adding a bit of water-bound mobility will certainly add some flavour to the excursion.

Visit the Sisters
When thinking of a location to it is important to remember that the Cayman Islands consist of three islands and each has its unique charm.
 
For years it has been the best kept secret for some residents of Grand Cayman to go to one of the Sister Islands and enjoy the camping experience at beaches like Sandy Point on Little Cayman.
 
Whatever your choice, just make sure to have as much fun as humanly possible, go into the water as often as possible and bring as many friends as you can bear.
But remember, please clean up after yourselves and put your trash in appropriate bins.  WH