Cayman Islands has some of the world's best diving

A warm climate, golden beaches, azure ocean, colourful marine life and laid-back charm have made the Cayman Islands one of the Caribbean's biggest draw cards.

An overseas territory of Britain, the Cayman Islands are a luxurious tax haven located in the West Caribbean sea, about 480 miles south of Miami.

The Caymans are made up of three separate islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

The Caymans' most famous attraction is its Seven Mile Beach, regarded as one of the best beaches in the world, and many of the island's hotels and resorts are located in its vicinity.

Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is world-class and other popular outdoor pursuits include parasailing, sportfishing, snorkelling, tennis, golf and hiking in the forests. Many tourists also make a point of visiting the black limestone spires of hell and touring the turtle farm.

The annual Pirates Week Festival held in October is the Cayman Islands' biggest event and celebrates the islands' pirate history.

Survival guide

The average summer temperature is 80°F, dropping to 75°F in the winter.

The currency is the Cayman Island dollar, but the American dollar is also widely accepted.

The Cayman Islands have two international airports - Gerrard Smith International Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport. The national airline is Cayman Airways.