Only about 12 miles long and a mile across at its widest point, Cayman Brac is a haven for both divers and nature lovers. The pea pod-shaped island is surrounded by deep ocean, and rises, at a gradual slope, toward its eastern end, where a limestone bluff drops precipitously, 140 feet, to the sea. "Brac" is Gaelic for "bluff," and, thus, the island gets its name. With just over 1,600 permanent residents, a few small villages and a handful of resorts, dive operations and condominiums, the Brac offers a natural getaway, yet one with all the comforts of home. There are excellent restaurants and modern amenities, including a jet airport, car rentals, television, cell phone, e-mail and fax service.

The diving around the Brac is dramatic and unspoiled. There are shallow reefs, walls of various slope and depth, and wrecks, including a 330-foot-long Russian frigate, purposely sunk in shallow water to create a dive site. The clear, warm waters of the Caribbean support a vibrant reef community here, including a variety of corals and sponges, colorful tropicals and, in the deeper areas, Eagle Rays, sharks, turtles and other pelagics.

The Brac's topside attractions are nature-oriented, and the kind of
explore-at-your-own-pace activities that let you decompress from the everyday world. Among others, these include hiking, birdwatching, rock climbing and exploring caves.

With a friendly population, breathtaking natural beauty, pristine diving and just enough "real-world" for comfort, Cayman Brac is the kind of place you might want to make your home away
from home.

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