Cayman Islands - Beauty You Can Bank On

Let's be honest here: most people know the Cayman Islands as being a fiscal paradise. Which they are. Their no tax regime was established centuries ago, due to kind-hearted locals unknowingly rescuing a prince from a storm. Or so the legend goes. However it happened, the Caymans allegedly have twice as many registered companies as they do people.

As well as being a fiscal paradise for companies, it's also a literal paradise. It has some quite stunning beaches, including a seven mile stretch of white sand and coral known as, appropriately, Seven Mile Beach.

As you might expect for the Caymans, it's offshore where the action really hots up. Diving is a huge attraction here, with wrecks teeming with fish to explore. There is also a bioluminescent bay.

And, what caught our eye, the opportunity to stand in waist-deep water and swim with stingrays in the wild. This was a bucket-list experience: a treat we wished had gone on for hours longer. It's hard to describe how incredible an experience this was.

Our tour also included snorkelling over a reef, but it seemed like most of the fish were hiding. Or swimming round a wreck.

Yes, this island is forever associated with offshore business. It also has a dark history: the British brought African slaves here to farm sugar cane. However, the polite hospitality of the locals and the gorgeous nature make this a place to which we would happily return.

How to get there

The airport in the capital Georgetown mostly has connections to North America, the UK and some Caribbean islands. It is possible to get there by ship. There doesn't seem to be any international ferries operating to or from the Caymans. However, cruise ships dock there, which seems to be the way that most people who are not business moguls visit these beautiful three islands.

Hotels on the island are not cheap, but are distinctly cheaper and seemingly better value than their equivalents in North America.

How we did it

Unfortunately we are not multimillionaires. We had to resort to a cruise ship to take us there - the absolutely stunning Celebrity Beyond. While a little pricier than some of its cheaper competitors, and less family focused, we loved our time aboard this vessel.

As we were travelling during hurricane season, we broke a long-standing rule of ours and booked a tour through the cruise company. It seemed to be the most sensible, low-risk approach. Kelly's Watersports did a brilliant job of taking us to Stingray City. We had a ball there.

Our Top Tips

• Photo ID is required to visit this port. Ensure that you bring it with you or you won't get back on the ship.

• While there are plenty of shops and restaurants close to the port, a tour is recommended to see the best of the islands. You don’t necessarily need a cruise tour. Check the price of cruise tours and tours through independent operators and go with whoever is the cheapest.

• Bring a swimming costume and either bring a waterproof camera or a waterproof pouch for your phone. You will definitely need them.