In return, the entirely English-speaking Caymans are extremely clean, well-kept and, above all, safe. No other Caribbean State has such a low crime rate and boasts such a high level of education. Other reasons for their popularity are not the land, but can be found in and on the azure sea.

On Grand Cayman, the largest and most lively island, attractive light-colored sandy beaches such as the famous Seven Mile Beach await you and many underwater activity experts refer to it as the most beautiful diving area in the world. This diving El Dorado is completed by the “treasure island” of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman with one of the most famous reefs in the world: the Bloody Bay Wall.

By boat you are straight into the open sea and right into the midst of every diver's dream. Deeper than anywhere else in the Caribbean, the reef has a 1.5-mile vertical drop. On the 'mother of all steep faces', divers glide past corals and pass along the reef wall through shoals of fish. Tuna fish, wahoo and mahi mahi dart across the breathtaking reef. Lobsters, bermudas and morays can be easily recognized, even more so because the water here is clearer than nearly anywhere else. Visibility is up to 150 feet and gives you the feeling of unlimited freedom and weightlessness.

Underwater caves, rock faces, reefs, sunken shipwrecks – there are plenty of them all! Some of these ships were even deliberately sunk, such as the Captain Tibet, a Russian destroyer, on which an artificial reef is to be formed in 10 to 20 years time. The diving area with its steep, plunging, several thousand metres of rock face is extremely challenging and is mainly suitable for those experienced in underwater activities. Legend has it that Cayman Brac was featured on the original cover of Stevenson's famous novel Treasure Island. There are therefore still quite a few people even today who dive deeper and deeper in the dream of discovering the legendary treasure of the sea. Those preferring to stay on land should try hiking and climbing tours over the Bluff, a coral cliff protruding 130 feet out of the sea in the east of the island.

The islands had to endure centuries of heavy attacks from pirates. The Maritime and Treasure Museum makes particular reference to these wild years. Drawings, cards and small animations provide a good insight into the dangerous seafaring past. An electronic pirate named Blackbeard gives additional information about the turbulent past of the Caymans. Blackbeard survived here not without reason. Like true pirates, he and his prominent colleagues such as Henry Moore & Co. gladly used the countless caves and crannies of the island for themselves and their treasure, mainly gold and silver pieces from Spanish galleys, which you can still marvel at today in the museum. The museum’s treasure hunt, in which children are transformed into a wild horde of pirates, will amuse and excite the little ones.

The first part of the tour is the Visitors Center, which is designed to give you a feel for the Caribbean way of life and architecture. Fitted with wooden windows, a waterfall and a large terrace, exhibitions are often held in this building. The Heritage Garden brings the past of the Caymans to life, and the main attraction is a restored house from the early 20th century. Visitors then enter the third and most important part of the tour – the Floral Garden. Several hundred tropical and subtropical plant species create a multi-colored mosaic. At the end of the tour, a lake landscape awaits you with several small islands. Here, many different types of birds find their ideal habitat.

However, you will encounter not only neatly dressed bankers in the capital of the Caymans. Tourists saunter through the spotlessly clean streets and lively alleyways alongside financial experts. Visitors can search for souvenirs and regional specialities, for holiday items and beach accessories in the numerous shops. The inhabitants of George Town exude the Caribbean joie de vivre in their everyday life and in particular in the two main festivals of the year. The Botabano carnival in April is so well celebrated that it has even gained respect from Brazil's carnival-goers. And this respect then might turn into fear during Pirate Week in October when George Town appears, as in earlier times, to still be in the hands of dangerous pirates.

Furthermore, the building is considered the birthplace of democracy on the islands. It was here in 1831 that the decision was made to vote for elected representatives. Many years later it became known for the abolishment of slavery. After two fires, the government restored the complex in its original style. Behind a stone wall you will find a large building from the early 19th century. Small pineapple and banana plantations can also be found here. The site is surrounded by tropical plants, and exotic palm trees border the paths. A new feature is the Multimedia Theater, in which a 20-minute film on the history of the castle is shown, together with light and sound effects.

Seven Mile Beach is the largest holiday resort in the Cayman Islands and is directly north of the capital George Town and south of the second largest city on the island, West Bay. Not only beach lovers are drawn here, but also water sports experts and snorklers, who can experience the warm and relatively meek water worlds via the offshore reef. The reef itself is also very popular with divers. A highlight since the beginning of the 1980s has been the wreck of the Oro Verde cargo ship, which is suitable for extensive afternoon or night diving.

Stingray City is now an extremely popular place with divers and snorklers. Here in North Sound, west of Cayman Kat, you can swim with the animals and even get close to them. Those daring enough even feed the giant rays. Since the animals are used to people they are tame and very trusting - so much so that they bump into, push and press against divers in order to get their edible gifts. Here, underwater experts have nothing to fear, but you should make sure that you do not step on one of the well-disguised stingrays that often float just above the sea floor. Then their tail shoots up in a knee-jerk reaction and can result in a very painful sting.