Though the pirates found in Hollywood features might be things of the past, there is a Caribbean island that holds the most entertaining aspects of this culture only with life. For the past 30 years, Grand Cayman and its sister islands have hosted an entire week of pirate-related festivities during the month of November. Top by the street and heritage festivals, Cayman Islands Pirate week is one of the most popular events on the island and can't-miss experience for visiting families. This year, the pirates arrive in Grand Cayman on November 8 and to land on 15 November.

The Cayman Pirate festivities earlier this week with the arrival of the Pirates aboard the replica 17th century Spanish galleons. For the amusement of locals and tourists alike, the capture of pirates playing Grand Governor of the Islands Cayman in the port of Georgetown. With the Grand Cayman leader symbolically locked during the week, the pirates begin to take the island and spread their joy of coast to coast. The pirate landing party of this year will take place Saturday, November 8th. The festivities begin at 2 pm with live entertainment on the beach Hog Sty Bay, located near the main port of Georgetown. The pirates make their entrance in Georgetown at 3 pm and the parade through town to the delight of local families and visitors. The opening of Saturday's festival is covered with a dazzling fireworks display and an exciting food and dance festival has been known to spread through the streets Georgetown.

The next day, families will have the opportunity to interact with the pirates at the festival of fun for Children Day Fair. From 12 pm to 4 pm, families can enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the street fair and a chance pirate costume, tinker with the performers and play games worthy of the high seas. Also on Sunday, families can participate in the underwater treasure hunt in West Bay Grand Cayman. Organized by local dive shops, the Underwater Treasure Hunt offers families a great opportunity to add the thrill of sunken treasure to a snorkeling trip or scuba diving.

From Monday to Saturday (November 10-15), visitors can participate in a series of celebrations of the cultural heritage of Grand Cayman. The excitement begins in the West Bay area of Grand Cayman on Monday. From 11-2, the Pirates are treated the crowds, live music, delicious Caribbean food and plenty of contests and games. On Tuesday, the party moves to the north of the island, where visitors have the opportunity to enjoy incredible scenery while partying with the pirates. The charming village known as Bodden Town is the host of the festivities on Wednesday, while Thursday sees the return part in the capital of Georgetown. At the end of the week heritage celebrations visit Grand Cayman's East End on Friday and the Savannah and Newlands areas on Saturday, allowing visitors to experience some of the sites less known of the island.

In the pirate weekend in Grand Cayman residents and visitors can enjoy the lighthearted fun of the cardboard boat race. Then pirates are brought to trial as crowds gather to watch these "criminals" of the high seas banished from the island. Once order is restored and the governor is released from his cell, a huge fireworks display marks the beginning of another street festival. Known as the Street Dance Finale, the closing party moves up and down Harbor Drive in Georgetown until midnight on Saturday, November 15th.

Throughout the week, visitors can find booths for food and beverages along Georgetown, while many of the local shops to join the fun it offers costumes and special memories. Even better for families, getting around Georgetown during The festival is a breeze and almost all events Cayman Pirate week are free.

If you and your family wish to enjoy one of the most entertaining story Caribbean, Grand Cayman is the place to be. As host to the only Pirate festival week in the region, Grand Cayman offers visitors the opportunity to experience both on an island where pirates once ran wild and characters that few get to see outside the movies.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Grand Cayman for the Marriott Resorts.

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