There's more than just fun on the beach in Cayman! 

MUSEUMS

Devote an hour or so to the Cayman Islands National Museum opposite the harbour in George Town. You'll I be amazed by the hardships Caymanians endured until relatively recently and fascinated by the giant strides taken since the fifties. Don't miss the three-dimensional model giving bathymetric details which graphically highlight why Cayman is such paradise for divers: it's a compelling sight that will leave a lasting impression. Enjoy the gift shop and the snack bar. Tucked away in West Bay, Powell's Museum of Caymanian Heritage is an unsophisticated but charming museum. The museum is housed in a  1933 structure that has a history of its own.

SKY RIDES - Brace yourself for high adventure and go para-sailing: Cayman offers the most advanced system in the world. It's both safe and comfortable. Not to mention completely and utterly thrilling. Pass up the opportunity and you'll regret it! Go on your own, or take a friend with you in the two-seater.

MINI GOLF - You don't have to be a Jack Nicklaus or Greg Norman to enjoy the latest amenity on the West Bay Road. A mini Golf course in the vicinity of the Hyatt Regency uses Livingstone's Restaurant as its 19th hole/clubhouse and is the creation of residents Alexandra and Herbert Peintner. They have lavished attention in the form of life-size animals standing sentinel around the greens and exotic fauna, especially palms.

GO TO HELL! - In stark contrast with the serene beauty of the ocean, this rugged, weathered outcrop of ironshore (more than one and a half million years old) looks like the charred remains of a hellfire. Read a letter from hell

LOCAL FOODS - Try a local breakfast: codfish and ackee or mackerel and green banana, served by several Cayman-style restaurants. Or sample a more traditional breakfast (Holiday Inn's is the best buffet value, the Hyatt's Sunday Brunch is the most sumptuous). It's a delightful treat, that shouldn't be missed.

LOCAL ARTS - Seek out local arts and crafts: look at the National Museum's gift shop, nearby Shellections, Grannie Mae's Sealed Art on North Church Street, Tango Blu at Queens Court, Pure Art on South Church Street and at the Hyatt; and a range of straw work sold directly from crafts people's homes. Look for roadside signs.

SPECIALITIES - Try a turtle steak, burger or stew. Have some conch (pronounced konk) in at least one of its popular versions: marinated, frittered, cracked or stewed. And don't shy away from dolphin: it's not of the porpoise family, but a delicious succulent fish commonly referred to in the US as mahi-mahi. As for vegetables, try plantains (in the same family as bananas), callaloo (a local spinach) and rice and beans, a deliciously fragrant concoction slowly cooked in coconut milk. Check out our cyber-recipes and the story of our award winning chefs

CAYMAN DELIGHT - A comfortable boat which offers full day and half day lunch cruises to Stingray City, the barrier reef and coral gardens, is operated by Andy Parsons and called Cayman Delight. With spacious sun decks and shady covered decks, two bathrooms, full kitchen and bar, Cayman Delight serves a delicious on-board buffet lunch of fresh-baked fish and BBQ chicken, salad and vegetables. Chances are, you'll be able to catch your own conch and then watch it being cleaned and prepared for marinating. You'll taste a delicious conch appetizer and may keep the shell as a memento. It's a treasure of an outing.

DIARY DATES - Pirates Week National Festival is becoming almost as legendary as the villains who inspired it! A riotous week of costume parades and parties, fireworks and float parades, it's held at the end of October. Many pirates come from afar.

Million Dollar Month, an international fishing tournament which takes place in June, offers whopping cash prizes in addition to the opportunity of winning prizes such as a centre console boat, a week at Morritt's

Batabano, an exuberant Caribbean-style carnival, is scheduled to take place each year around Easter time. Organized by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, the festival includes a float parade and street party, special events and superb picture opportunities too.

Taste of Cayman, a festival showcasing the talents of Cayman's chef's. Organized by the Cayman Islands Restaurant Association every year in early July.

GOLFING - The Links at SafeHaven is an 18-hole championship golf course set across from Seven Mile Beach and on the North Sound, offering sea views as well as the scenic vista created by ponds, lakes and some 4,000 trees and shrubs. The greens are built to rigorous USGA standards, with five tee positions on every hole, putting, chipping and bunker practice areas, plus an aqua driving range.

THE BRITANNIA GOLF COURSE - Cayman's most established golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus for the Britannia resort at the Hyatt, is an immaculate three-in-one course that challenges even the most accomplished golfer.

WRECKS - There are numerous spectacular wrecks lying off the coast on every side of Grand Cayman. All make for superb snorkeling and diving. Ask your favorite dive operator for recommendations as to which are the best shore dives and the best boat dives.