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What are the best things to do in the Cayman Islands?
The answer to that question comes down to a matter of personal choice.
However, this list contains the top 10 things most Cayman Islands visitors do.
By the law of averages, it’s certain to have a few things you’d enjoy doing too. In no particular order:
Go Scuba Diving
Scuba diving has to come top of the list. The Cayman Islands are a favorite destination for scuba divers from all over the world.
There are even those who will tell you the Cayman Islands is the where scuba diving was invented!
Universally considered one of the best scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean, the seas around the islands offer divers plenty of choices.
Top destinations include Sunset Reef, Kittiwake Shipwreck, Devil’s Grotto and Eden Rock.
From diving novice to seasoned professional, when it comes to scuba diving, the Cayman Islands offers something for all.
Visit Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach is such an important Cayman Islands destination it would be criminal to be on the island and not go.
The name is deceptive because Seven Mile Beach is actually only 5.5 miles long.
However, this gorgeous stretch of flawless white sand offers a perfect setting for kicking back and catching some sun.
Go swimming in the crystal waters or explore its length with a loved one, hand in hand.
Seven Mile Beach, with its postcard beauty, has a few resorts and restaurants.
So, if you want to enjoy a seafood cocktail or blow the froth off a beer you’ll find plenty of places to go.
Explore Grand Cayman’s Crystal Caves
One of Grand Cayman’s newer attractions but still one of the best.
You’ll find the Crystal Caves deep inside the island’s interior.
This incredible network of underground caverns consists of a network of no less than 105 limestone caves.
Few of them are open to the public but the ones that are open are magnificent enough to provide a unique Cayman Island experience.
The Crystal Caves are filled with incredible natural wonders including impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Follow the subterranean passageways, explore the hidden rooms, or stand in awe beside its gorgeous underground lake.
Exploring the Crystal Caves is not one of the cheapest Cayman Islands adventures, but it’s certainly one of the best. Visit the website
Enjoy a Short Trip to Hell
Hell is Grand Cayman venue situated in the island’s West Bay area.
It’s roughly half the size of a normal football pitch.
However, instead of lots of white lines and goalposts, you’ll find an assortment of black limestone formations and viewing platforms.
Nobody is sure how the place got its name but, according to one story, it’s because a visiting minister said, “This is what Hell must look like!”
If you go there and want to really impress your friends you can visit its fiery red post office and send them a postcard from Hell.
Hit the Water at Bioluminescent Bay
Grand Cayman, North Side also offers a unique experience that’s only available in certain areas of the world.
Bioluminescent Bay is home to a very interesting species of plankton.
When it’s disturbed, it actually illuminates the water and glows in the dark.
Obviously, this is a Grand Cayman Islands venue you will need to enjoy at night.
If you want to experience this incredible natural phenomenon the best way to do so is by taking one of the organized kayak trips.
Escape the Tourists at Cemetery Beach
If you get tired of all that good buzzing tourist vibe at Seven Mile Beach and the other main Grand Cayman destinations, Cemetery Beach is a good place to go.
Ask some of the locals about their favorite destinations and this spooky-sounding beach will be somewhere at the top of most people’s lists.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for an other-worldly experience you won’t stand a ghost of a chance at Cemetery Beach.
It gets its name because of its location, you guessed it, near a cemetery.
All you will find is lots of sun, sea, and sand. Cemetery Beach has no big resorts so it’s rarely crowded.
It’s perfect if you feel like “getting away from it all” or spending some quality time with the one you love.
Enjoy a Tuesday-Night Beach Party at Kaibo Beach
How can you say you’ve experienced Grand Cayman unless you’ve been to a beach party?
For one of the best barefoot beach party and barbecue, Kaibo Beach is the place to go.
This popular authentic Caribbean party night is held every Tuesday, beginning at 5:30 pm and ending at 9 pm.
Party-goers get to enjoy the best Caribbean flavors, prepared at the water’s edge, and listen to a local band playing live music underneath the stars.
More active party-goers can dance barefoot on the sand, see how low they can go under the limbo pole or join the conga line.
Get Up Close and Personal with the Turtles at the Cayman Turtle Center
Turtles play a big part in the history of the Cayman Islands.
Their numbers may be depleted these days but the islands were their home long before humans arrived.
If you want to learn more about these amazing green amphibians, the Cayman Turtle Center is the best place to do it.
The exhibits at the center explain the life cycle of the turtles in detail, from being a small egg to a large lumbering amphibian.
Kids of all ages love this place. Even the “big kids” who are old enough to be thinking about retirement.
However, there’s more to the Cayman Turtle Center than the name suggests.
If you want to see sharks, iguanas, and colorful Caribbean birds you’ll find those as well.
My toddler especially likes to play in the shaded playground.
Spend Some Time at Stingray City
Stingray City is easily one of the most popular attractions on Grand Cayman.
The “city” isn’t a city in the bricks and mortar sense.
It’s a shallow sandbar that wild Atlantic Stingrays love to call home.
There are a number of ways to explore Stingray City.
You can reach Stingray City by boat or by Jet Ski with one of the many local tours.
Although stingrays can sting, they are naturally very docile and unlikely to attack humans.
However, it’s always best to only interact with them as part of an organized tour.
Visit a True Cayman Island Distillery
If you are a spirit connoisseur, no visit to Grand Cayman could possibly be complete without a tour of the Cayman Spirit Co. Distillery.
Would you believe, the distillery actually ages its rum on the ocean floor?
It’s no longer the only distillery that does this but it holds dibs at being the first one to do so.
These days, rum is not the only spirit produced at the distillery either.
It also has a line in flavored rums, vodka, and liqueurs.
Past visitors provide a useful tip. They say it’s best to arrive by taxi because there is such a large selection of spirits to try!
I think you’ll agree, that sounds like a pretty good plan. Book your tour online
Hello Eloise! 🙂
We will be on your beautiful island next month… for a third time!
Looking forward to it…
With your blog you just got it in my head that now I want to visit the Crystal Caves… and the Tuesday beach party.
For the party I think we will miss it this year, but the crystal caves are intriguing. Is this open every day?
And also is this something elders in still correct shape can tackles?
Thank you. I know you are not a tourist agent, but meeting you and your charming husband and little son last year was truly a charming experience!
I realy hope to see you again in about a month!
Sincerely: Luc Belanger
Hello Luc,
Yes the Caves are open everyday with pre-booking. The tour lasts one hour and a half and includes a 30 minutes walk in the jungle so make sure to bring the right shoes! Visitors of all ages are visiting the caves. I’m sure you will be fine 🙂
Looking forward to see you!
Eloise