Cayman Islands' Pirates Week: High Seas Hi-Jinks for All
The Cayman Islands isn't the sort of place that needs a festival to drum up business, boasting as it does first-rate beaches, incredible indigenous sea life and vibrant coastal resorts.
But as festivals go, Pirates Week is hard to beat. Drawing on the islands' rich sea-faring past, this unique event offers a boat-load of high seas entertainment for land lubbers of all ages.
Among the most anticipated events each year are the mock pirate invasions, which take place on all three main islands – Little Cayman, Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Unlike some amphibious incursions of centuries ago, these are good-humoured, family friendly affairs that attract huge crowds. The 'invasion' of Georgetown on Grand Cayman is of particular note.
Pirates Week in Caymen Islands, 2012 (meunierd/Bigstock.com)
If you're going to Pirates Week this year, you can also expect dazzling fireworks displays, costume contests, street dances, music and lots of mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine.
Pirates Week is something of a misnomer, since events take place over three weeks. The fun kicked off on the 4th of November and will go on until the Pirates Farewell Lunch, on the 27th of November.
A run-down of some of the main events:
- 10th November Pirates Week Happy Hour at Margaritaville & Kick-Off party at The Wharf
- 11th November 5k run, Fireworks, Street Dance & Food Festival in George Town
- 11th November Pirate Invasion & Landing, Food Festival & Street Dance in George Town
- 13th November Children's Fun Fair at Pedro St James and Underwater Treasure Hunt at Divetech, West Bay
- Heritage Days
o 15th November - George Town Heritage Day
o 16th November - East End Heritage Day
o 17th November - West Bay Heritage Day
o 18th November - North Side Heritage Day
o 14th November - Bodden Town Heritage Day
o 19th November – Pirate Pooch Parade, Caybrew Cardboard Boat Race, Trial of the Pirates, Illumination Night Parade, Fireworks and Street Dance Finale
o 26th November Cayman Brac Heritage Day - demos, craft stalls, live music, fireworks.
Visit www.piratesweekfestival.com for more detailed festival information.
Pirates Week in Caymen Islands, 2012 (meunierd/Bigstock.com)
Do I need a visa for the Cayman Islands?
If you have a UK passport, or a passport from a Commonwealth or EU country, you do not need a visa to enter the Cayman Islands. A 'permanent/indefinite leave to remain' visa for the UK also means visa-free access.
How do I get to the Cayman Islands?
Unless you're visiting the islands as part of a cruise, the most straightforward way to arrive is by air.
Flights invariably involve changing planes in another city – if not one on mainland Europe, then one in the USA or Canada.
Do I need travel insurance for the Cayman Islands?
Yes. As with all destinations, things can go wrong. Medical care is especially costly in the Cayman Islands. Despite being a British Overseas Territory, as a UK citizen you will be required to pay for any treatment.
What Gov.UK says about the Caymans:
"Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad. Your insurance should include air ambulance, third country (USA) medical treatment and repatriation."