Our Lush Silver Sands Grounds

The beautiful ground here at Silver Sands.

Summer Storm

Saturday Sunset at Silver Sands

We be Chillin under the huts

Another perfect day at Silver Sands

The Sun is Shining at Silver Sands!

Taken yesterday at Silver Sands. Kayak, hammock and beach, ahhhh.

Groupers Galore!

Grouper are an essential species on the reef systems not only in Cayman waters but all over the world. They are a main predator near the top of the food chain and help control the populations of smaller reef fish, as well as add diversity to the reef.

Unfortunately they are also a tasty fish and in high demand for human taste buds. This high demand has lead to populations of grouper, especially Nassau Grouper, to dramatically decline in the last 10 years. As a diver here in the waters of Grand Cayman it is very rare to see a mature Nassau on the reef. If one is seen it is usually a juvenile.

How can we help the Grouper?? DON'T EAT THEM!! Or specifically ask the restaurant if it is really grouper. Most of the time it will be Swai Fish, a freshwater farmed fish that has a similar white flaky mild taste. They call it grouper since people want to try the local dishes. They do this also because the dwindling populations of grouper are just not available to meet the demands of the public, there is just not enough to go around. 

A great guide to help you make smart seafood choices is the Cayman Sea Sense guide, or you can go online and check out the Monterey Bay Seafood Guide, which is what the Cayman guide is based on.

These photos are of a Nassau Grouper of pretty decent size. I saw this guy on the reef a few weeks ago and was so elated because I have not seen one this size in Grand Cayman in years.

This is a Yellow Mouth Grouper. He obviously got his name for the outrageous yellow lipstick he wears! These grouper so not very common at all. I have only seen a handful in all my days of diving.

This is a Tiger Grouper and seen fairly often on the reef.

The below photo is a Coney Grouper. These guys are quite a bit smaller than the above species of grouper, and are commonly seen on the reef.

Interested in seeing these fish on the beautiful reefs of Cayman? Stay at Silver Sands and dive with DNS!

The Grey Angel at Sunset

There is a VERY friendly Grey Angel fish that is hanging out at the Sunset House reef. He followed us from the mermaid, to the wreck, to the wall and back! Made for a great subject for photography tho!

If you are going to visit us here at Silver Sands Condos the Sunset House shore dive is a great afternoon activity. Tanks and gear are available at the Sunset Divers shop, entry and exit very accessible and the reef is right there, for diving or snorkeling. When you are done with the water, come topside and you can enjoy a mudslide and conch fritters on the patio at My Bar.

Turtle Tracks!

Turtle tracks on the Silver Sands Beach. Next step is the little hatchlings in a few weeks, stay tuned!

Mangos, Mangos, Mangos!!!

Ahhh mango season in the Cayman Islands. Ya gotta just LOVE the way mangos grow off the tree, hanging there taunting you wanting to be picked and eaten. 

These photos of the beautiful mangos and mango trees were taken up on the Northside. On the way up to Rum Point, there is a sign and turnoff for Hutland. Easily overlooked, it is a little road with a few houses, slowly getting narrower and with less civilization it is a nice little jaunt into the Cayman bush. There wasn't a whole lot down there except for some houses, farms and tons of mango trees and other fruit trees. It really felt like rural Cayman and was quite peaceful, definitely worth checking it out.

The mangos below were the most brilliant color, almost purple. My mouth was literally watering as I was taking these photos.

If you want to get some fresh local mangos visit the "Mango Man", his location has changed from last year due to the new road, but he is still on the original WB Rd, on the south side of Public Beach.

YUM YUM YUM!!!