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Owen Island

Uninhabited, Near Little Cayman Island
Owen Island - Cayman Islands

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Owen Island

March 2, 2006

by beach_lvr from Dallas

Owen Island - Northwest SideMore Photos
Owen Island is by far, one of the loveliest gems I have ever laid eyes on. The island is tiny, uninhabited, and ringed by crystal clear, sky blue ocean. Even from a distance, you can see the extra clear ocean surrounding it, as well as swaying palms. Its location is just south of Little Cayman Island, and can clearly be seen standing on the beach at the Little Cayman Beach Resort, or from anywhere on the south, southwest, or southeast side of the island.

For the first few days after landing at Little Cayman, I eyeballed this little island with great interest. It seemed as though it were a magnet to me. The more I looked at it, the more I knew I just had to explore it. On day 4, I had decided I was going to end the mystery. I rushed over to Reef Divers (Little Cayman Beach Resort's dive operation) and booked a small boat to take us out to Owen Island, and drop us off for the day. For $5, they will take you out to Owen Island and drop you off. For an additional $5, they will come back to the island and pick you up at whatever time YOU specify. I liked the idea of not having time limits, and being able to choose my own drop off and pick up times.

On Friday, we headed for the Little Cayman Beach Resort pier and began our "monkey climb" down to the boat. They do not have a ladder or steps nailed onto their pier, so you must use the pier structure itself to climb down into the little boat waiting below. Once in the boat, the ride was wet, but not overly bumpy and lasted all of about 7 minutes.

As the boat slipped onto the beach, I realized that I had just spent the best $5 I'd ever spend in my life! Before I laid my eyes on the most stunning, and whitest of beaches I had yet to see in the Caymans. Then there was the sparkling, clear to light blue ocean that was just the perfect depth for swimming in, or snorkeling.

We set up a sort of "camp" for lunch on the beach. We enjoyed the lunch of pastrami sandwiches, fresh salads, high quality fresh fruits, and desserts prepared for us by the kitchen staff at Little Cayman Beach Resort (many thanks to Danville and Louie). There is no extra charge for this lunch if you are a guest at this resort. Just notify the front desk a day in advance of your trip to Owen Island.

As you walk around the island, you may find live conch just inches below the surface of the water, delicate rare corals and sea fans washed up along the beach, lonely coconuts which have found their way onto the sand, small fish swimming all around, and dense tropical foliage.

In my opinion, this was one of the best excursions a non diver can take.

From journal Little Cayman - Fantasy Beaches and Ugly Iguanas