15 Ultimate Touristy Things to Do in Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are made up of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac and are located in the western Caribbean Sea. Each of these islands is distinct; while the Grand Cayman is busy and vibrant, the Little Cayman is quiet with many white beaches, and the Cayman Brac on the other has is dominated by a rugged terrain. Featuring a tropical marine climate, you can reach these islands by plane or by boat.
Home to the Seven Miles Beach, a few of the other Cayman Island attractions includes the Stingray City, Rum Point Beach, and the Camana Bay.
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From exploring the colorful sea life of the Cayman Islands to shopping to horseback riding to relaxing on its blissfully tranquil shores, here are top things to do in the Cayman Islands.
1. Swim with the Stingrays
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Now, this is truly iconic! Imagine diving into the warm waters of the Caribbean only to be surrounded by a wild stingray. While this activity is not for all, it is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Cayman. Aquatic lovers take a ride to the Stingray City, snorkeling around a coral reef, see starfish, and of course, get up close with the rays’
2. Chill out at the Rum Point Beach Bars
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All those who want to have their own tropical drink with an umbrella, head to the Rum Point Beach. On the charming North Side of Grand Cayman, Rum Point is slightly less frenzied than the Seven Mile Beach. Head over to The Kaibo or The Wreck, two of the most rollicking beach bars of Cayman and order yourself a few (or many) margaritas!
3. Go bird-watching
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Home to more than full and part-time resident birds, Cayman is an ornithologist's paradise! Boasting over 200 species of rare and colorful birds, the multi-hued Cayman Brac Parrot, the Cuban Amazon Parrot the red-legged thrush and the West Indian whistling duck are some of the prized sightings of this island. Mastic Reserve, Salina Reserve, Parrot Preserve and Colliers Pond are some of the best spots for bird-viewing.
4. Hike up The Bluff
Located on the Cayman Brac, The Bluff rises 141 feet high. The highest point of the Cayman Island, once you have made up your mind of scaling this spectacular mountain, you need to put on some sturdy footwear. You can start your hike from Spott Bay past Peter's Cave and make your way up. Along the way, chance upon viewing a multitude of spectacular sights; right from Brown Boobies to rolling cliffs to miles the long Caribbean. The Bluff will exhaust your muscles, but the hike is well worth it.
5. Swim in a colorful lagoon at the Cayman Turtle Centre
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Wondering what to do in the Cayman Islands? I say you swim with the turtles! Sounds fun, right? The Cayman Turtle Centre is a conservation facility located in the West Bay district of the Cayman Islands. A great place to learn about the island’s wildlife and also have some fun, this center offers many exhibits and tours to explore, turtle encounters being the most sought after. Cayman's largest land-based tourist attraction, you can also dine with the birds here.
6. Get lively at the Camana Bay
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One of the most fun things to do in the Cayman Islands is to take a stroll along the Camana Bay. Filled with retail and entertainment options, this place comes to life at night. Camana Bay is buzzing with activity, there is live music, food stalls, cafes, local shops, and farmer’s market. Shop, eat, or just explore – you can do it all here!
7. Visit the island’s most tranquil attraction – The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
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Located in the North Side District of Grand Cayman Island, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a non-profit outdoor garden and wildlife facility. This traditional Caymanian garden, with its charm and elegance, has been attracting many visitors. Park’s major attractions include The Queen Elizabeth Ii Monument, The Heritage Garden, The Floral Colour Garden, The Woodland Trail, and The Blue Iguana Habitat among many others.
8. Party on one of the most famous Caribbean beaches – The Seven Mile Beach
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This beach needs no introduction! One of the top Caribbean beaches (fourth, to be precise), the Seven Mile Beach is a crescent-shaped coral-sand beach on the western end of Grand Cayman Island. Governor's Beach, Public Beach, and Cemetery Beach are "Public Access" beaches that are free to explore. There is a ton of land and water activities along this beach. For the foodies, you will find everything from burgers, kebabs, and innovative Asian influenced to a range of cocktails.
9. Spot the starfish at the Starfish Point
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The Starfish Point is a relaxed beach, perfect for families. Its shallow and crystal-clear waters often facilitate wild starfish sightings. And due to its calm waters, swimming is yet another popular activity here. Located on Water Cay Road, this beach is an hour’s drive away. Remember, do not take the starfish out of the water.
10. Explore the island’s history at the Pedro St. James Castle
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Definitely one of the top tourist attractions in the Cayman Islands, the Pedro St. James Castle is the oldest existing building on the island. After years of extensive restoration, this building has been declared the island’s first national landmark. This castle is the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands and definitely worth exploring.
11. Check out the Cayman Islands National Museum
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The Cayman Islands National Museum is a beautiful museum that helps visitors experience the island’s natural and cultural heritage. Located in George Town, this museum is housed in the former Old Courts Building on Harbor Drive and its earliest history can be traced to 1930s when a local resident by the name Ira Thompson began collecting Caymanian artifacts as a hobby. Today, this museum contains over 8,000 items and is one of the top things to do in the Cayman Islands.
12. Head to the Cayman Crystal Caves
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If you are looking for fun things to do in the Cayman Islands, Cayman Crystal Caves are set inside a lush tropical forest in Northside. The caves were formed over millions of years and feature fossilized shells, stalagmite and stalactite crystals, calcium deposits, and many more microscopic structures that are worth exploring. All visitors here are advised to take a guided tour that lasts 1.5 hours and will take you through the tropical forest and three spectacular caves.
13. Snorkel off the Spotts Beach
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A perfect snorkeling destination, Spotts Beach is a 10-minute drive from South Sound. The water along the beach is great for the sighting of the best of Cayman’s sea-life. Back on the beach, you can waterfront condos or walk along its while Surfside. There are BBQs, tables, and cabanas for those who want to set up a picnic.
14. Make the best of your Caribbean vacation at the Smith's Barcadere
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The Smith's Barcadere is a sandy cove located to the south of George Town near the ports. Also called the Smith Cove, this beach is surrounded by terrific turquoise waters and limestone formations which make for a great photo opportunity. The beach has unique drop-offs where the kids, as well as adults, can swim freely. Public restrooms, picnic benches, and outdoor showers are some of the beach amenities that the public can make use of.
15. Experience zero gravity at the Sea Trek Grand Cayman
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The Sea Trek Grand Cayman offers its visitors unique tours that let you experience a zero-gravity stroll underwater wearing the specially designed helmet. What’s special is that this tour is specially designed for the non-swimmers. This one-hour fully guided tour will bring you face-to-face with thousands of tropical fish and a pirate ship's anchor.
16. Check out The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is a lovely art gallery located in the Cayman Islands. Showcasing local artwork and traditional crafts, this gallery is one of the best places to visit in the Cayman Islands. Collections here include a variety of media that illustrate various aspects of the life of the Cayman Islands over the last 40 years. The gallery also has many moving and permanent exhibition for you to explore.
17. Visit the Blue Iguana Nature Reserve
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The Blue Iguana Nature Reserve is a small nature reserve that has a natural forest, bird life, ponds, lake and gardens for you to check out. The entrance of this park is located off the Collier Wilderness Road and is easy to access. Once inside, you can walk on its looped trails and explore the local flora and fauna.
Cayman has history, traditions, food, culture, music, and an abundant sun-drenched solitude which makes this an ideal Caribbean holiday destination. Ocean lovers! Plan a trip to Cayman Island and do let us know of your experience in the comments below!
