The East End Blowholes

The eastern end of Grand Cayman takes the trade winds and the Caribbean swell full on, and the shoreline there is ironshore, ancient reef rock eaten into a black honeycomb of spikes, ledges and holes. Where the sea has undercut it and found a vent, the swell drives water up through the rock in spouts several metres high, with a boom and a rush of spray. The best of them are on a short stretch of the coast road where there is a pull-off and a set of steps. It works best when the wind is up, which is exactly when the rock is most dangerous to be on.

Highlights

• The spouts - swell forced up through vents in the ironshore.
• The ironshore - black honeycombed reef rock along the coast.
• The windward coast - open Caribbean and constant trade wind.
• The nearby wreck of the Ten Sail memorial - along the same coast.

When to go

November to March brings the biggest swell and the most dramatic spouts; in flat summer conditions they barely work. Any time of day; the light is best in the morning with the sun behind you.

Practical notes

Ironshore is razor sharp and slippery when wet, and it cuts badly; wear proper shoes and do not go near the edge when the sea is up, which is precisely when people are tempted. The spray reaches the road. On a calm day there is very little to see. There are no facilities.

Nearby

The Wreck of the Ten Sail memorial is nearby; Rum Point is across the island.