The Cayman Islands are famous for Seven Mile Beach but offer much more than golden sands and warm tropical waters. From spotting rare blue iguanas to kayaking in a bioluminescent bay, here’s your guide to making the most of this Caribbean gem. The capital of Grand Cayman is George Town, home to the island’s biggest harbor and airport. This central hub is the base for tour guides and excursions across the island.

George Town

Grand Cayman offers a sophisticated Caribbean getaway with sparkling turquoise water, luxury resorts, and a cosmopolitan food scene. The island’s capital, George Town, is also the hub of the nation’s government and home to the National Museum of Cayman History. The museum combines natural and cultural history with local traditions like boat building and rope making.

It is a must-visit if you want to learn more about the culture and history of this British Overseas Territory. A short drive south of George Town, you’ll find Smith Cove, a beach that’s more of a local’s spot. Relax under the sea grape trees and enjoy a beautiful sunset on this secluded beach. Also in the area, the Mastic Trail is a scenic hike that runs through a forest and highlights native flora and fauna.

Watersports

Many people only think of Grand Cayman as a stop on a Caribbean cruise or as a glitzy sunspot where the rich set up offshore bank accounts. This stunning island, however, is much more than that. There is a wealth of activities that will thrill visitors and get them closer to the Caymanian culture.

Watersports enthusiasts will enjoy the azure waters of Seven Mile Beach and North Sound Bay, while snorkelers can explore the vibrant coral gardens around Stingray City. You can also experience the water differently by boat trip to a secluded bioluminescent bay.

It is a bucket-list-worthy adventure that will leave you feeling mesmerized. Considering the weather in the Grand Cayman Islands when planning an island holiday is important. Throughout the year, the temperature in Grand Cayman rises steadily.

Seven Mile Beach

Touted as one of the best beaches in the world, Seven Mile Beach is a crescent of white, powder-soft sand and turquoise waters that will take your breath away. It is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the Cayman Islands and is a must-see for first-time visitors. For those seeking a quieter spot on the beach, check out Cemetery Beach or Starfish Point.

Both are located within the confines of Seven Mile Beach and offer a calming retreat from the typical crowds. Rental cars are recommended for guests who want to explore the island, but most hotels along Seven Mile Beach also provide a taxi and shuttle bus service that goes directly to the beach. Excursions to Stingray City and Rum Point are also offered at most of the resorts.

Snorkeling

The Cayman Islands are a Caribbean island paradise. With pristine soft white sand and crystalline turquoise water, you can spend hours swimming, snorkeling, or simply dipping your feet to experience an azure nirvana. Snorkeling is a top tourist activity in Grand Cayman. Its crystalline waters and marine life make for some of the best in the world.

A trip to Grand Cayman would only be complete with visiting Stingray City, a shallow sandbar where Southern stingrays congregate in large numbers. Tours usually include visits to other locations in the North Sound, such as Coral Garden, Barrier Reef and Starfish Point. All three boast healthy coral and a variety of tropical fish. Remember to keep your hands away from the coral, as touching can damage it.

Kayaking

While cruise ships dock here, the island feels less crowded than other Caribbean destinations. For example, taking a stroll along the Mastic Trail is one of the best ways to discover Cayman’s rainforest interior. You may even encounter a few of the island’s wildlife inhabitants, such as Cayman parrots, iguanas, and turtles.

For a unique experience, join a tour at night to visit Bioluminescent Bay near Rum Point. This small, secluded bay glistens with luminescent plankton as motion ripples the water. The luminosity of the bay varies depending on the moon phase, so check with your tour company. It is a once-in-a-lifetime activity that every visitor to Grand Cayman should try. This experience is only offered from December to April.

Scuba Diving

The Cayman Islands are a water lover’s paradise, with soft white sand and a brilliant blue sea. Yet the tri-island country west of Jamaica and south of Cuba offers much more than just a beach. From spotting blue iguanas to snorkeling in a bioluminescent bay, here’s how to get the most out of your trip.

Reefs, walls, and wrecks: the Cayman Islands boasts some of the world’s best diving. The underwater mountains’ thriving coral reefs and slopes are sure to impress, but this Caribbean nation also attracts plenty of marine life, from sharks and rays to shoals of angelfish and Nassau groupers.

Those who like to dive on wrecks should check out the 330-foot-long Captain Keith Tibbets, a former Soviet warship home to squid and juvenile spotted drum fish. For a deeper dive, head to Ghost Mountain, a mushroom-like pinnacle carpeted with deep red finger sponges and home to banded coral shrimp and gorgonian fans.

Shipwrecks

A scuba diver’s paradise, the Cayman Islands are home to many legendary and accessible shipwrecks. The most famous is Kittiwake, a five-decker once a US Navy transport ship and now a thriving marine environment.

The wreck is a dive site that can be enjoyed by open water divers and those with advanced certifications like rescue or wreck diving. When the ship was sunk in 2014, it was made into an artificial reef, and large cut-outs were placed in its hull to make diving easy. It is also a good place for first-time scuba divers to practice their skills.