If you have kids along (or even if you don’t), Stingray Sandbar makes for a great afternoon excursion. Visitors pet and feed stingrays in their natural habitat of a waist deep sand bar. It’s truly a great experience.

Nature lovers should be sure to visit the beautiful Rum Point or Queen Elizabeth's Botanical Park. Both offer great views and are lovely places for a stroll.

For a more vigorous hike, check out the National Trust’s Mastic Trail. It’s a two mile hike through woodlands, mangrove swamps, and rock formations and takes about three hours. You can go it alone with a $5 guide book or book a tour through the National Trust for $45.

Riding a horse on a sandy white beach might be one of life’s great experiences, and at Grand Cayman, it’s easy to make that dream a reality. Several companies offer rides and trips along the beach, including Coral Stone Stables and Pampered Ponies.

Glass bottom boat trips and submarine excursions bring the sea to life for those who prefer to stay dry in their explorations. Atlantis Submarines offers trips along the Cayman Wall to look at the beautiful reefs. Go down 100 feet and view the beautiful reef. The trip lasts 75 minutes and is $84. A more private excursion is also available in a mini-sub with just you and one special person. You’ll go down 800 feet to view huge sponges and fish. The cost is $395. Bubble Sub offers a similar private excursion in a clear dome with 360 degree views for $400. The Jolly Roger is a favorite among kids. The boat is a replica of the Nina (of Columbus’ Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria fame), and excursions feature a pirate show and snorkel stop. Dinner cruises are also available. Red Baron Charters offer 39 foot sail boats that can be chartered for a half or full day.

The Cayman Islands have the best underwater visibility of anywhere in the Carribean at 120 feet. If you are a diver, you absolutely must take advantage of this and explore the beautiful depths around the Cayman Islands. North Wall is a world-famous dive area on the north side of the island, while Trinity Caves is in West Bay. Stingray City is in the North Sound and offers a spectacular 12-foot-dive into a community of stingrays. But if you aren’t a diver, don’t fear! Lessons and certifications in scuba are available on the island.

Not interested in going so deep? You can still enjoy the beautiful healthy reefs of the Cayman Islands by snorkeling. West Bay Cemetery, just north of Seven Mile Beach is a great snorkeling spot. Several companies offer snorkeling trips. A favorite is Surfside Aqua Sports, which features a kayak trip out to a platform at a barrier reef where you can then snorkel.

The water around the Cayman Islands are rich with fish. Charter a boat and choose from deep sea fishing, reef fishing, bone fishing, fly fishing, or tarpon fishing. Some of the varieties you’re likely to see are blue marlin, yellow fin tuna, black fin tuna, dolphinfish, bonefish, wahoo, and skipjack tuna.