Photo Essay of Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman's Sister Island

I've long said that my favorite authentic island experience to date has been the small island of Lanai, which some may be surprised is actually a Hawaiian island, just off the coast of Maui. With no stoplights, only a couple franchises, and many more miles of unpaved roads than paved roads, Lanai was a welcome experience for this off-the-beaten-path traveler. However, it now moves into my favorite authentic island experience in America, as its rank worldwide has now been supplanted by most recent island experience, Cayman Brac, one of the sister islands of Grand Cayman.

Though familiar with the Caribbean, I didn't even know that Cayman Brac was a destination until I was invited to be hosted by the Cayman Islands. And that term, "destination," may be subjective being there's only one hotel on the entire island, which can be driven from one end to the other in 30 minutes. There are no stoplights, no franchises, no high-rises, and no nightlife. But it's for these reasons that it is a destination. Most of the island is undeveloped since a bluff covers a majority of it. Local food menus change daily based on local seafood availability. And yet the waters around it are considered some of the best diving waters in the world according to the Cousteau family (and many others). 

But while you can read more about its food, history, and culture in my article for Travel Mindset, below I feature some of my favorite photos from my recent trip to Cayman Brac.

Flying over Grand Cayman on the way to Cayman Brac

Flying over Grand Cayman on the way to Cayman Brac

Aerial of Grand Cayman
Aerial of Grand Cayman
Small planes flying in and out of Cayman Brac

Small planes flying in and out of Cayman Brac

Brac Reef Resort on Cayman Brac

Brac Reef Resort on Cayman Brac

Cayman Islands birdwatching, this bird dubbed a "Booby" (Yes, for real).

Cayman Islands birdwatching, this bird dubbed a "Booby" (Yes, for real).

Iguana by the road on Cayman Brac

Iguana by the road on Cayman Brac

Diving Cayman Brac
Diving Cayman Brac
Cayman Islands Sailing. Look at that water color!

Cayman Islands Sailing. Look at that water color!

Yes, caves!

Yes, caves!

Cayman Brac Skull Cave

Cayman Brac Skull Cave

Cayman Brac Cave System

Cayman Brac Cave System

Walking the shoreline of Cayman Brac all to myself

Walking the shoreline of Cayman Brac all to myself

Cayman Brac bluffs
Cayman Brac bluffs
Cayman Brac Lighthouse atop the island's bluffs

Cayman Brac Lighthouse atop the island's bluffs

Bluff overlooking Caribbean with my tour guide

Bluff overlooking Caribbean with my tour guide

Cayman Brac foraging 

Cayman Brac foraging 

Star Island Restaurant on Cayman Brac, and one of the best meals I had

Star Island Restaurant on Cayman Brac, and one of the best meals I had

Paradise Desires & Creations Cayman Brac restaurant
Paradise Desires & Creations Cayman Brac restaurant
Cayman Brac bakery (insert joke about bakery being beside the police station)

Cayman Brac bakery (insert joke about bakery being beside the police station)