Love bite in the Caymans

Well, now, what would your work colleagues think if you had to arrive back from a trip to the Caribbean with a nice fat lovebite on your arm or back? The gossip would be flying around the office, especially when you tell them it was from an animal! Well, the explanation is simple, lovebites are one of the only things you will get for free in the Cayman Islands, so if you are game, book your spot now and let’s go...

The Cayman Islands are situated in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, approximately 150km due south of Cuba. There are three islands which comprise the Cayman Islands; namely Grand Cayman (the administrative capital and your first port of call if visiting the islands), Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The last two are about 50km northeast of Grand Cayman and are quite smaller than the main island.

Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are in sight of each other, and scuba divers from one island often dive the reefs of the other. Grand Cayman is about 40km long by 12km wide, shaped like a footprint, with a large shallow 'Sound' in the arch of the footprint. It is this Sound, known as North Sound, where you are likely to find your free lovebite!

Scuba diving and the Caymans are synonymous with each other. Ask any diver about the Caymans and the first thing he will tell you is the awesome diving to be had there; the impressive walls which start at 18 metres and disappear into the blue yonder; the amazing conditions with visibility ranging from 30 metres to, well, as far as you can see; the Reef sharks, Hammerheads and Eagle rays which glide up and down the walls in search of their next meal.

But perhaps the best adventure of all is to be found in a place called Stingray City.

Stingray City

This is not the capital of Grand Cayman; in fact there are no shops here at all. But that doesn't mean you'll walk away empty handed. In fact, you're almost guaranteed of walking away with more than awesome memories.

There are two areas used by operators known as Stingray City, depending on whether you are a diver or a snorkeler, both of which are located in the shallow waters of the North Sound. The 'Stingray City dive' area is about six metres deep and the 'Stingray City snorkel', known to the locals as 'The Sandbar', is about 1.5m deep, but both of these areas promise close encounters with the stingrays.

An animal more commonly known as the Southern Stingray takes on the leading role. It has a wingspan of just over a metre, a long tail (with a single barb used for defence) and a large mouth on the under-surface which produces a powerful suction. Grey above and white underneath, it's soft as silk and friendlier than your pet at home.

After arriving at Stingray City, and after a quick introduction by the local staff, you are let loose into the clear waters of the North South. As you break the surface of the water, and reach for a handful of squid (food provided to feed the stingrays) you are mobbed by the rays; brushing up against you and nudging from behind as they pick up the scent of the squid. On an average day out at The Sandbar there can be anything from 120 to 150 stingrays, gliding around in search of that easy meal.

The rays seem to have perfected the method of getting that easy meal: approach an unsuspecting customer from behind, brush up against him or her and start that powerful suction. Shortly afterwards there'll be a loud scream which triggers a reflex action that tells the hands to release anything that it is holding. The result? The handful of squid ends up in the water for easy pickings. Now who said you can't teach an old animal new tricks!

No neoprene protection

Diving with a wetsuit doesn't excuse you from the lovebites. Depending on how much you trust your buddy, more divers than snorkellers walk away with these lovely souvenirs.

If you want to be cruel to your dive buddy simply grab some squid in your hand and wish him or her good luck for the dive by slapping them on the back and sending them on their way. Without fail they'll be smooched by a stingray within ten minutes and the rest of the dive will be avoidance behaviour as your dive buddy attempts to escape the constant barrage of attention from these friendly creatures. After all, they are only there for the food!

The trip back from Stingray City is reserved for the stories, the narrow escapes, the one that got away, and of course, the buddy that got suckered. Or should I say, got sucked. Lovebites are famous in the Caymans, and, in fact, are the only souvenirs you will get for free!

		Visiting the Caymans The Cayman Islands have numerous top-notch hotels and holiday apartments, most of which will offer dive and snorkel packages to Stingray City. Other attractions to visit include Seven Mile beach, Georgetown (a hub of duty-free shopping), Rum Point (idyllic small beach, with hammocks strung up between the trees) and the Turtle Farm, where turtles are bred. The Cayman Islands are also visited by a number of Caribbean cruise ships, so you could also hop on a cruise that takes in the islands. Click here for more from the Cayman Islands tourism office. Anthony Grote is a professional photo-journalist. To find out more about his work, visit www.overunderphoto.com.