Here the water is liquid light, dancing and sparkling in the sunshine with the same brilliance as the lights of the Strip at night.

As for water sports, there are sailboats, windsurfers, kayaks, paddle boats, jet skis, wave runners and speedboats. Para sailing provides a bird’s eye view of the crystalline water. Catamaran cruises offer a more relaxed agenda and tropical drin s. The Jolly Roger, a 17th century Galleon replica with three masts, square sails and a crew of pirates is the most authentic sailing experience. During Pirates Week in October, the Jolly Roger leads the Pirates Invasion that is like a family version of the Sirens of TI show. After a great deal of cannon fire and pyrotechnics in the harbor, the pirates come ashore, have a sword fight on the docks, capture the governor and proclaim the island as their own for a week. “It’s a huge hullabaloo; there’s nothing like it in the Caribbean,” says David Martins, festival executive director.

There are natural attractions on land, too. You can hike the historic Mastic Trail, and take in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, the blowholes on the East End, the Butterfly Farm and Cayman Turtle Farm. On Pampered Ponies tours, riders trot the horses a long the uninhabited North Wall Beach, stopping for bareback swimming with the horses.

At both of the coastal golf courses, golfers are challenged by steady trade winds, but are rewarded with ocean views. The Links at Safe Haven is an 18-hole, par-71 championship course designed by Ron Case with five driving distance options. The Britannia Golf Course is the only Jack Nicklaus designed course in the Caribbean and the unique design incorporates two courses. There’s an 18-hole, par-57 executive course, and a nine-hole regulation course with a second set of tees for 18 holes.