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Feb 23 2016

The World’s Best Place to Get a Yes!

If you’ve been considering “popping” the question, you know how important choosing just the right setting can be. Ideally, you want a place that’s quiet enough for you and you’re intended to have a little privacy. You want a memorable setting that you’ll still remember fondly, even when your grandchildren are grown. And, you want a place that you can get to without spending a crazy amount of time and money (and risk spoiling the surprise.) Grand Cayman Island, in the heart of the Caribbean Seas, fits all of those requirements.

Grand Cayman Island–A Romantic Paradise

Grand Cayman Island, located just 90 minutes by air from south Florida, offers a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere, one of the world’s top sand beaches, delicious seafood, sparkling sunsets and those lilting island rhythms. In short, it’s an idyllic place to propose. Whether you get down on one knee along Seven Mile Beach, share a Champagne toast while watching the sunset on the balcony of your condo, or opt for something more extreme like proposing under water on a dive trip or while swimming with the dolphins, getting engaged on Grand Cayman Island is an experience the two of you will treasure for a lifetime.

Enjoying Grand Cayman

You’ll also want to savor the romantic atmosphere of Grand Cayman during the days after your future spouse says “yes.” The island is known for its world-class diving and snorkeling along colorful, off-shore coral reefs. You can also swim with stingrays, dolphins and other marine life at Stingray City or tour historic 18th-century plantation houses and forts. Grand Cayman was also a famous pirate hang-out in the 18th century and the island celebrates that heritage each November with its Pirates Week festivities. Of course, no trip to the island would be complete without sampling some of the native cuisine, such as turtle stew, jerk chicken and spiny Caribbean lobsters pulled fresh from the sea.

To learn more about creating your ideal Grand Cayman engagement vacation, contact South Bay Beach Club at (insert contact information.) We want to help you make your romantic memories come true.

Feb 15 2016

The History of Seven Mile Beach

Called one of the best beaches in the Caribbean by “Travel + Leisure” magazine as well as “U S News and World Report,” Seven Mile Beach (also known as West bay Beach) sits on the west side of Grand Cayman Island. This 6.3-mile continuous stretch of sand (despite its name) is one of the most developed areas of the island and home to many of the resort destination’s top hotels.

The History of Seven Mile Beach

Grand Cayman Island and Seven Mile Beach were originally home to the Carib tribe. Christopher Columbus and his crew brought Europeans to the island’s shores in 1503 on his fourth voyage to the New World. Subsequent slavery and the introduction of European diseases for which the native tribe had little immunity erased the indigenous population. All that remains today is the lovely topography of the islands and the name, Cayman, which is derived from the Carib word for “crocodile.”

The Cayman Islands were ruled by Jamaica between 1863 and 1962. When Jamaica won her independence from Britain in 1962, the Cayman Islands elected to remain a protectorate of the United Kingdom. A governor administers the island nation today.

The structure of Seven Mile Beach continues to evolve and the stretch loses a little bit in length each year to erosion. Still, the beach is one of the most lovely and most beguiling in the region. Seven Mile Beach is known for its colorful coral reefs just offshore and the excellent snorkeling and diving found there. As with all beaches in the Cayman Islands, access is open to the public. In addition to the many luxury hotels, the beach is home to multiple seaside restaurants.

To book your own idyllic vacation along Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, contact South Bay Beach Club at soutbaybeachclub.com or by calling 407 992-2844.

Feb 08 2016

The History of Pirates Week on the Grand Cayman Island

Each November, Grand Cayman Island transforms itself into a 17th century pirate encampment as it celebrates the island’s heritage of pirate legends and lore. The festivities at the 11-day Pirates Week event include mock “invasions,” parades, costume contests, food and drink specials at local restaurants and treasure hunts.

About Pirates Week

Although the Cayman Islands were first found by Europeans when Christopher Columbus set anchor there in 1503 on his fourth journey to the New World, the islands did not “belong” to any country until they were ceded to Britain in 1670. This made the three-island chain an ideal haven for pirates and buccaneers. The golden age of piracy in the islands spanned from the 1650s to the 1730s and some of the most notorious pirates of that age, including Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard), Lowther, Lowe and Morgan, called the Cayman Islands home. In addition to the lack of organized government, the abundance of turtles for food, small coves for hiding ships and treasure, and the general lack of other inhabitants make the islands attractive to pirates. Though the pirate era lasted less than 100 years, it has captured the imagination of generations of Cayman residents and visitors alike.

In 1978, the Cayman Islands Tourist and Visitors Bureau launched the Pirates Week festival as a way to draw more tourists to the islands. A few years later, the popularity of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies helped to bolster interest in the event. Today, Pirates Week, now in its 38th season, draws more than 35,000 visitors to the Cayman Islands each year. It is the islands’ largest celebration.

To be a part of Pirates Week this year and stay along Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, contact South Bay Beach Club at soutbaybeachclub.com or by calling 407-992-2844.

Feb 01 2016

What You Need to Know About the Wreck of the Ten Sail

Grand Cayman Island boasts a colorful history, but perhaps the most infamous event occurred in the wee hours of the morning on February 8th, 1794. The Wreck of the Ten Sail refers to a convoy of ten ships that were lost when they crashed upon the rocky reef on the east end of the island.

The convoy consisted of six merchant ships sailing from Jamaica to Britain, three ships bound for the United States, and the newly christened British naval frigate, the HMS Convert. The Convert was captained by John Lawford, a veteran sailor charged with protecting the merchant ships.

Lawford went to bed on February 7th thinking the convoy was already past Grand Cayman Island. He awoke at 3 am to a disastrous scene. A distress gun had been fired, and the breakers were unavoidably close. Lawford gave orders for the convoy to disperse, but it was too late. All ten ships were lost on the reef. Villagers living nearby immediately came to the aid of the shipwrecked crew, saving the lives of more than 400 people. Despite their best efforts, eight lives were lost to the sea.

A famous and oft-proclaimed legend tells of a royal prince, the son of Britain’s King George III, being rescued from the wreckage that fateful night. According to the legend, when the king heard the news of his son’s rescue, he immediately decreed that the Cayman Islands would forever be free from war conscription and all taxes. While there’s no proof that any of this ever happened, the story is told as fact, and tax-free living is embraced throughout the islands.

Visiting the Wreck of the Ten Sails Park

The park overlooking the site of the shipwreck is perched on a craggy bluff with beautiful views of the ocean and reef, as well as the remains of more recent shipwrecks. Historical markers document the details of the event, and there is a memorial plaque along the shore, dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II on the 200th anniversary of the event. It’s free to visit the park, which is located in the East End of Grand Cayman Island.

The Wreck of the Ten Sail is is just one of the intriguing sites you can visit in the East End. The area is known for quiet waters, sandy beaches, and natural beauty. It’s a perfect day trip from the South Bay Beach Club.

Jan 25 2016

Planning The Ultimate Cayman Islands Destination Wedding

Getting married along the turquoise water and soft white sand of a Caribbean beach is the stuff about which fantasies are made. However, a destination wedding offers a number of advantages. It helps to keep your wedding small and personal. Your close friends and family get to share your beautiful wedding with you in a place they may not have visited before, and you don’t have to fly off to your honeymoon right after the reception. You’re already there.

Planning a destination wedding

A destination wedding in Grand Cayman is easy to plan. The designated wedding planners at South Bay Beach Club can help coordinate all of the details, from booking an officiant to selecting the right tropical flowers to make your ceremony special and elegant to finding a DJ to spin the tunes all night at your reception. Of course, our resort will also help you with the food and beverage for your reception and rehearsal dinner.

Getting married on Grand Cayman island is easy. There’s no mandatory waiting period like you’ll find on other islands. You simply need to obtain a non-resident marriage license (obtainable for a $250 fee from the Passport and Corporate Services Office) and a letter from the person who will be officiating at the wedding. To get the license, you’ll need to show your passport and documentation to prove that any previous marriage(s) are no longer legally-valid (death certificate or divorce decree.) Again, your designated wedding planner can assist you with these details.

The final piece of planning your destination wedding is to reserve rooms for you and your wedding party. Depending on how many will be staying with us, we can often offer a discount or upgrade on rooms.

To book your own destination wedding along Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, contact South Bay Beach Club at soutbaybeachclub.com or by calling 407-992-2844.