Cayman Islands are a set of three islands located 150 miles south of Cuba. The biggest of the three islands is the Grand Cayman, with a land area of 76 square miles and is rated as having the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Its neighbors are Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. These charming islands are a coveted getaway for relaxation and for adventure seeking travelers. Coral reefs and sunken ships attract the divers while rum punch and white sandy beaches call out to the beach lovers.
How to get there ?
All leading US based airlines and Cayman Airlines have direct flights to Grand Cayman from just about anywhere in the US. Many people choose to relax in a cruise ship and sail to Grand Cayman and this is a popular destination for many of the cruise ships.
Sometimes four or five large cruise ships dock into George town every day, unloading thousands of tourists into the town. We took a 90 minutes Southwest flight from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman.
US residents and citizens can travel to Grand Cayman on a valid passport. Visa are not required even for green card holders. The local currency is Cayman Island (CI) dollars and the current conversion rate is 1.2 US$ for each CI $. US$ is widely accepted at all establishments.
Best time to visit
Cayman Islands have warm weather all year round with average highs in the 80’s. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the 60’s. Best time to visit the Island is between March and June when the hotel rates drop.
Rainy season span May through October. Hurricane season lasts from June to November, however the Grand Cayman islands are shielded due to their location in the western part of the Caribbean.
Getting around
The best way to get around the Cayman islands is by car. Rental agencies are located right across the street from the Owens Robert International airport (GCM) on Grand Cayman. Taxis are available at the Airport arrival areas but do expect to pay more as the economy is highly dependent on the tourists.
Rental cars are available for low prices depending on the season, but book in advance. Avis, Budget, Thrifty are among the international rental agencies in the airport. Private boat operators can take you from one Island to another.
Here is my list of top things to do at Grand Cayman Islands
Seven Mile Beach
Seven mile beach is known for its stunning turquoise waters and white coral sand beaches and is a long crescent of coral-sand beach on the western end of Grand Cayman Island. . Seven mile beach is a public property and one is able to walk the full length of the beach.
This is the most developed and popular part of Grand Cayman and is home to most of the Islands luxury resorts including the super luxurious Kimpton Sapphire and the Ritz Carlton. Located near George Town, the capital of Cayman Islands, this stretch of beach area has all you will ever need for your vacation – from top rated restaurants to shopping plazas to adventure activity to relaxing and calm sandy white beaches.
Little surprise that Seven mile beach recently received the honor of being the “Best beach in the Caribbean”.
Snorkel at Stingray City
I am told that many years ago, fishermen would take their daily catch, anchor their boats, and throw the scraps of their gutted fish overboard. The scraps provided ample food for stingrays in the area, and these animals soon came to realize that they could get a tasty meal if they went to the particular spots inside the reef.
This was the start of one of the most well-known attractions in Grand Cayman: Stingray City. These incredible creatures now flock to this area hopeful of receiving food, although the only people feeding them now are tours and private charters with passengers hoping to get glimpses of the 90 or so Southern Stingrays that call Stingray City home. Tourist get a once in a lifetime experience of a close encounter with the Sting rays and get to feed them and be photographed with them.
Great experience for adults and children alike and the water here is only knee deep with clear visibility making it a safe place in the ocean even for small children.
Swim in Bioluminescent Bay
Bioluminescence is one of the most incredible natural phenomena and can be experienced in very few places in the world and Grand Cayman is one of the top places for that. The plankton in the waters in the bio bay have just the right conditions of warm and salty water and adequate nutrient availability to grow in large numbers.
These plankton light up when stimulated by movement and create the most stunning blue lights which responds to any movement in the water. Viewing the plankton lighting up while wearing a snorkeling mask makes it even more special and magical. Many tour operators have kayak and boat tours to the Bio bay and during the nights with the right condition expect to see a stunning display of nature lighting up the waters of the Bay. Do not miss this stunning display by nature.
Dive At The USS Kittiwake
For those interested in Diving, The Cayman Islands are equipped with some of the best dive sites in the world: 365 to be exact. From coral reefs to stingray-ridden sandbars, there are plenty of underwater wonders worth exploring. One of the most popular dive sites is the USS Kittiwake, found 62 feet below the water’s surface.
Because it sits amongst the Caribbean’s crystal clear water, it is also a great site for snorkelers as the entire ship can be seen from the water’s surface. The ship is a former submarine, and relics of the ship’s past remain in the sunken vessel.
Swim In Starfish Point
The turquoise water at Starfish Point is where visitors will find the largest and most abundant number of starfish on the island. Their thick, prickly, orange-colored skin can be seen clearly in the shallow shores along this beach.
There are over 2,000 species of starfish, and visitors are guaranteed to see at least few at Starfish Point. Remember to not remove any of the starfish from their natural environment. Those who do not want to explore the water can relax on the beach or explore the surrounding foliage.
Visit Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
While visiting the beautiful beaches remains one of the main reasons people flock to the Grand Cayman Islands, there are still plenty of things to do that do not involve ocean and sand. One of these attractions is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
This park can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to explore, with unique plants and animals throughout. One of the most unusual plants visitors will come across along the path at the botanic park is the Corato. It is found nowhere else in the world, and it is one of the largest Agave species found in the region. Its massive, green leaves can reach heights of up to 25 feet, and it is oftentimes colored with vibrant, yellow flowers.
Cayman Turtle Centre
Cayman’s largest land-based attraction, Cayman Turtle Farm hosts more than 500,000 visitors each year. See turtles new hatchlings (when in season) right up to turtles weighing more than 500lb. Then head to the touch tanks and waddling pool for a more personal experience. This attraction also includes a lagoon with a waterslide, a Predator Reef for viewing reef and nurse sharks, a nature trail and more.
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