Where is the Cayman Islands?

The Cayman Islands lie 480 miles south of Miami, 150 miles south of Cuba and 167 miles northwest of Jamaica.

The Islands are the tops of pinnacles reaching up from the Cayman Trench – one of the deepest sections of ocean in the world, reaching depths of around 25,000ft.

The trench lies just offshore, offering a fascinating glimpse into the depths of the marine world and it has featured in prominently in Hollywood movies such as James Cameron's The Abyss.

The Cayman Islands rise from the deepest depths of the ocean to their peak height at Cayman Brac, which is home to a variety of spectacular rock formations, including the highest point on all three Islands at 141 feet above sea level. These formations were sculpted by millions of years of erosion and shaped by the Island's unique geological history. They can be found throughout, from the towering cliffs of The Bluff to the intricate caves that honeycomb the limestone bedrock.

The Cayman Islands boast unique terrestrial ecosystems, including pine forests, mangrove swamps, and coral reefs, each playing a vital role in its biodiversity.

There are no rivers on any of the islands. The coasts are largely protected by offshore reefs and in some places by a mangrove fringe that sometimes extends into inland swamps.

The Islands are located on the tectonic boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates. The tectonic plates in Cayman’s region are in continuous lateral movement against each other. This movement, with the Caribbean plate travelling in an eastward direction and the North American plate moving west, limits the size of earthquakes.