Cayman Islands in pictures: Romance

Relax in your own shaded hammock in the heat of the day, with just the sea and the wind in the trees for company. Photograph: Axiom Photographic

Deserted stretches of sand lapped by the waves are a reality just a short drive from Seven Mile Beach. Photograph: Macduff Everton/Corbis

Cayman’s maritime tradition combines with calm waters and clear skies to make boat trips a must, whether under sail or accompanied by the soft chugging of a motor. Photograph: Macduff Everton/Corbis

Two species of waterlilies decorate the surface of Cayman’s many ponds, easily spotted on Grand Cayman at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, or around both Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Photograph: Danita Delimont/Alamy

A rare resident of the Cayman Islands, the male red-legged honeycreeper certainly knows a thing or two about attracting a mate. Photograph: Photo Library

Warm waters and coral gardens make snorkelling a pleasure, with conch shells often spotted on the sandy seabed. Photograph: Stephen Frink/Corbis

Pastel-pretty cottages are typical of traditional Caymanian architecture, complete with lattice-work verandas and sand gardens. See one at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, or take a look along Boggy Sand Road. Photograph: Alamy

Tube sponges, swaying sea fans, colourful fish and walls teeming with life greet the diver in Cayman’s crystal-clear waters. Photograph: Jeff Hunter/Photographer's Choice

A short walk from the heart of Rum Point is a great place to while away the afternoon in peace. Photograph: PR

Five-star luxury, Cayman style, comes with a picture-perfect swimming pool – this one at the Ritz-Carlton. Photograph: PR