LIVING CONDITIONS

WHAT IS IT LIKE ON LITTLE CAYMAN?
Little Cayman is a remote island with few services. It is one of the least developed islands in the Caribbean, harboring reef systems of remarkable biological diversity including over 350 species of fish, 37 species of coral, and shallow lagoon, wall, and deep ocean (several thousand meters) habitats that are all within swimming distance of each other and the Little Cayman Research Center. With stunning reef walls, shallow reef structures, and large populations of mega-fauna including spotted eagle rays, one of the last spawning aggregations of the Nassau grouper, hawksbill and green turtles, and a healthy shark population, Little Cayman is consistently ranked one of the top three diving destinations in the Caribbean. With a human population of less than 150 permanent residents, there is little to no anthropogenic impact on the reef system. This, combined with the distance of the island from continental influences, makes Little Cayman ideal for educational and research initiatives in tropical marine science. For details, please see Little Cayman.

WHAT IS THE HOUSING LIKE?
The Little Cayman Research Center is a field education and research station. It has labs, a classroom, and dormitory-style or private-room living accommodations to support researchers and students. Participants will stay at the LCRC dorm facility. Dorms are well ventilated with fans and situated to benefit from the local Caribbean breeze. Rooms will be shared with one or more participants to a maximum of six. Individuals will participate in the daily maintenance of their living quarters. For details, please see Little Cayman Research Center.

WHAT WILL WE EAT?
All food arrives on the island by barge prior to your stay, if you have specific dietary requirements this information must be passed on to your supervisor or directly to the Little Cayman Research Center Station Manager (Contact Us) at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival. Meals are designed to be healthy and hearty including a variety of local cuisine. Meals are taken in the dining pavilion overlooking the ocean.

CAN I BUY FOOD AND GOODS ON LITTLE CAYMAN?
There is one small general store on Little Cayman. Food is extremely expensive. If there is something that you like to have every day, we recommend that you bring it with you. There are a few small gift shops on the island.

CAN I MAKE PHONE CALLS?
The Little Cayman Research Center plans to provide free access to internet telephony services via Skype. Phone quality is high but requires a headset and a broadband internet connection. We recommend anyone you must be in contact with over the course of the trip purchase a ~$20 headset and download Skype's application (see http://www.skype.com). Regular phone calls to and from the Cayman Islands are expensive. The best way to make a phone call from Little Cayman is to purchase a phone card at the airport in Grand Cayman or use a credit card. Foreign phone cards do not work in the Caymans. Some cell phone services work in Cayman with partner companies.