Windsurfing and Kiteboarding

The East End's reef-protected shallows extend for miles, offering ideal blustery conditions (15 to 35 mph in winter, 6- to 10-knot southerlies in summer) for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Boarders claim only rank amateurs will "tea-bag" (kite-speak for skidding in and out of the water) in those "nuking" winds. They also rarely "Hindenburg" (stall due to lack of breeze) off West Bay's Palmetto Point and Conch Point.

Cayman Windsurfing with Red Sail Sports at Morritt's. This company offers a full range of top-flight equipment as well as lessons. Rentals on top-of-the-line, regularly updated equipment start at $40 per hour. Morritt's Tortuga Resort, Colliers, East End, Grand Cayman, KY1-1206. 345/947–2097; www.tortugadivers.com.

Kitesurf Cayman. Here you can take full advantage of the gusty conditions at Barkers Beach. Head instructor Jhon Mora is a member of the Colombian National Kitesurfing Team; lessons, including tricks such as loops and rolls, are geared toward experienced boarders. They also offer hydrofoil lessons ($300 for 1 lesson, or $100/day rental). Group rates are $150 for two hours (private introductory courses are $280); hotel transfers are free with prebooked lessons. Barkers, West Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-1207. 345/916–5483; www.kitesurfcayman.com.