Discovery of Grand Cayman - Cayman Islands

Christopher Columbus is given credit for discovering the Cayman Islands. On his fourth world voyage, two of his ships, the Santiago de Palos, and the Capitana, sailed past Cayman Brac and Little Cayman around May 10, 1503.

His young son, Ferdinand, wrote in his journal, "we were in sight of two small, low islands filled with tortoises - as was sea all about." The ships didn't stop. They couldn't stop. Both ships were worm-eaten and leaking badly, and Columbus knew he had to make it to Jamaica after a short stop near Cuba. He put it at St. Ann's Bay and that was the end of those two vessels.

Some historians dispute that Columbus was actually the first person to see the Cayman Islands. Back in 1499, a few years earlier, Queen Isabella of Spain authorized other voyages to the New World. Who knows? Someone else may have spotted the Caymans.

Some say, on the Cantino Map, published in 1502, a full year ahead of Columbus' sail-by, the three islands appear.

Look for yourself, here. (9) is Cuba and (8) is Hispaniola. If the Caymans are there, they are awful small. What you see below (9) is Jamaica, a known island at the time.

Although archeological digs don't support it, at least the million Caribbean and Arawak Indians living in the areas around the Caymans at the time of Columbus' visit may have ventured near the Islands.

Caymanians don't care. They celebrate their founding on May 10, 1503, the date that Columbus was coming back after having discovered the Pacific Ocean across Panama - and was on his eventual way to Spain.

So why was this island so hard to find? We have that answer - Next! >>

First Beach Explorers in Grand Cayman

Watch as divers explore one of dozens of dive sites around Grand Cayman. It's pure magic. And snorkeling in Grand Cayman is top notch as well. Let us take you to each location as we review the beaches of Grand Cayman.

There's a reason that when the first person landed here, they didn't find a soul: these islands are flat! The highest point on Grand Cayman is only 60 feet. The islands are part of an underwater mountain range, but these tops are certainly not mountainous. Bottomline, the islands are so small - they don't produce their own weather and they are so close to the water that no one could see them unless, like Columbus, you stumble upon them.

From the time of the earliest explorers, the Caymans were renowned for their "vast herds of turtles", which used the spectacular beaches to breed. Cayman became known to all voyagers as a stop to "turn" turtles and to secure water and wood. Today, even though there are hundreds of turtles about, the "herds" have vanished.

Around 200 years ago, the people of the Cayman Islands embraced Christianity, and strong Christian ethics. This heritage continues even today. However, some claim that the Caymans has a history with pirates - but it is well disputed as there are no traces pirates made the Caymans their home.

Because Cayman is remote and isolated, but on the route of treasure galleons returning to Spain laden with gold and silver stolen from the New World - it's thought that it made the perfect pirate pit stop. Imagine, everything they needed was here - possibility of men for crews, portable protein in the form of transportable turtles, and quite ports where they could stop and make repairs.

Of the pirates suggested, some mention Lowther, Lowe, Henry Morgan and Blackbeard. Again, there is no trace of pirates on the islands, so it's probable they never even heard of the place.

Pirates or not, Cayman is different! Control of the islands has changed hands a few times and today you'll find yourself driving on the left because of a decision made in 1655!

Lord Oliver Cromwell sent out a General and an Admiral to conquer in the Caribbean. They failed miserably. But Cayman came out speaking the King's English - an Oliver Twist - Next! >>