The ideal way to complete a staycation experience is to take to the water. Whether it be taking a cruise on a catamaran, fighting a big fish or just fooling around on a personal water craft, Cayman has options for whatever level of adrenaline you can stand.

Sailing the ocean blue
Spending time in the North Sound is a favourite local pastime, with excellent snorkelling available all over. Then of course there is the world-famous Sandbar, where people can interact with wild stingrays, which seem quite tame, truth be told, in waist-deep water.
 
There are many cruise operators who offer charters, whether for Sandbar excursions, snorkelling at sites like Coral Gardens and the barrier reef, or fishing. To be certain of a great experience out on the water, look for members of the Cayman National Watersports Association, which consists of professionals who make a point of knowing Cayman’s waters like the back of their hand.
 
Of course, for those who would just like to relax out on the water, there are numerous regularly scheduled sunset cruises as well, with Red Sail Sports offering popular sunset cruises along Seven Mile Beach on their big catamarans. There is no better way to experience the sunset than out on the water, and watching the colour of the sea go from light turquoise to a deep aquamarine blue as you sail away from the shore is an education in the various shades of blue that exist.

On the surface
For the more active, there are numerous options for taking to the water. Whether you fancy trying your hand at stand-up paddle boarding or would rather take it easy on a kayak, either option allows you to explore Cayman’s waters from a unique perspective while getting a good working as well, if you so please. Seven Mile Beach and Kaibo are excellent venues for a relaxed paddle boarding excursion, while South Sound and the North Sound are great for exploration by kayak.

Splashing about
Snorkelling is the easiest way to experience the underwater world and with many sites within easy swimming distance of the shore, it is a very accessible activity. Snorkels, goggles and fins are available at many retailers on Island and once you are comfortable breathing through the snorkel you are ready to hit the water. The warm and calm waters of Cayman are perfect for snorkelling, but remember to keep safety in mind – see to it that your swimming skills are up to scratch and always go out with a snorkelling buddy.

Go deep
The true magic of Cayman lies under the water. For Scuba divers this underwater wonderland is their oyster. For those who haven’t leant how to dive yet, the Island’s dive operators offer training courses, from an introductory course all the way up to divemaster for those who love the experience so much they would like to make a living.
 
Dive sites all around the Islands offer unique coral formations and marine life. To change it up, many operators also offer night dives, which allow divers to see species that might remain hidden or dormant during the daylight hours. Of course, the Sister Islands offer some of the best diving in the world, so a trip over to Cayman Brac or Little Cayman is well worth it for any avid scuba diver.

Stay dry
Of course, there are those with no intent to take up scuba diving, whether for medical reasons or just through an intense dislike of being under water. Fortunately, the underwater world does not have to remain a closed book to them either. Atlantis Submarines offers a number of options, whether you want just a glimpse of the underwater world or a proper submarine trip.
 
The Seaworld Observatory is a surface-going vessel, with passengers descending into a glass-sided observation deck below the water line to view the shallow reefs and shipwreck in the harbour. For those who want to see more of Cayman’s marine life, the Atlantis submarine is a proper submarine, with room for 48 passengers. It descends to depths of up to 100 feet, giving passengers a unique insight into the world beneath Cayman’s waves, without the need to get even your feet wet.   WH