GRAND CAYMAN

One glimpse of Seven Mile Beach’s silver sands may trigger a wave of déjà vu; its casuarina tree-fringed landscape is a postcard favorite. Known as a top diving destination, over 300 sites can be found within these three western islands, where visibility of shipwrecks, reefs, dramatic walls, and drop-offs reaches up to 100 feet. Too deep? Try Stingray City, where these gentle animals’ fins flutter peacefully against you in water only three feet deep and half a mile from shore.

Back on land, there’s still much to discover. The famous black limestone formations of “Hell” are striking, but the capital city of George Town is a cosmopolitan hub and busy cruise port, where duty-free shopping—from European fashion to Caymanite jewelry—is plentiful and diverse. The cuisine here is just as hard to resist. Local restaurants serve fresh conch, lobster, grouper, jerk chicken, and West Indian side dishes in grand style or casual comfort—both of which are also options for your stay.