A Caribbean birthday dream

The tiny island of Little Cayman feels like a world away from the ordinary, and it was the perfect place to spend my birthday this year, especially when your birthday happens to fall in the winter time and you just really need to warm up.

We stayed at the stunning Little Cayman Beach Resort, and it quickly became apparent why this place is so highly rated. The resort is impeccably clean, and the friendly, attentive staff made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. We spent our surface intervals relaxing by the pool, swaying in a beachside hammock, and just soaking up the peaceful island atmosphere. The absolute highlight, though, was the surprise birthday cake the resort provided—a thoughtful touch that made my day extra special.

Our underwater adventures were expertly handled by the on-site operator, Reef Divers. Their famous "valet diving" service meant we didn't have to lift a finger with our heavy gear. We'd simply show up at the dock, and everything was ready for us. The spacious, custom-built boats and professional crew made every dive smooth and stress-free.

The diving itself was breathtaking. The reefs around Little Cayman were astonishingly healthy and full of life. We came face-to-face with graceful sea turtles, watched curious barracuda watch us right back, and marveled at the flashes of color from schools of vibrant parrotfish. The coral formations were spectacular, with giant barrel sponges and sea fans decorating the walls and reefs.

For one of our SCUBA excursions, we took a boat trip to the neighboring island of Cayman Brac to dive a truly unique site. The wreck of the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts, a former Russian destroyer, was sunk intentionally in 1996 to serve as an artificial reef. This massive 330-foot vessel is the only diveable Soviet warship in the Western Hemisphere.

The wreck now lies in two pieces after being damaged by a hurricane, which only adds to its dramatic presence. Swimming around the enormous hull, past the large gun turrets covered in coral, was an incredible experience. We saw a variety of marine life thriving on the structure, transforming an instrument of war into a peaceful haven for nature.

Our trip to Little Cayman was the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. We loved the intimate feel of the resort and the convenience of having world-class diving right at our doorstep. From the personalized service and surprise birthday cake to the stunning coral reefs and unique wreck dive, every moment felt special. We can't wait to go back and experience it all over again.