Lowri Golden sands, tropical waters and year-round sunshine are just a fraction of why Grand Cayman is such a remarkable destination.
Travellers to the island can get up close and personal with wild stingrays, eat the most incredible seafood and sink a cocktail on the beach while witnessing the most magical sunset.
Our home away from home
Rhys and I were unbelievably fortunate to call Grand Cayman home for five incredible years.
Over these years we both worked in tourism and hospitality, so I think it’s fair to say we know a thing or two about what’s good to do around the island. This is why we have put together our vacation guide to Grand Cayman, to ensure that you leave no stone unturned when visiting this special slice of paradise.
Expenses
The Cayman Islands are perhaps most well-known due to their tax haven status. Don’t let this fact misguide you into thinking that Cayman is a cheap destination. It is not.
We share individual cost ranges for attractions within the post below but, to give you an idea, BudgetYourTrip.com suggests the average expenditure is ~$2,496 KYD (CI dollars) for two people for a one week vacation to Cayman. That’s ~$3,004 USD, $4,090 CAD or £2,370 GBP.
Obviously it can be done cheaper but, if you have the means, it’s worth every penny.
Cayman is a world away from our typical budget travel niche however since it was our home, experiencing this island was much more attainable.
Flights
A quick point on flights. There are direct flights to Grand Cayman from some of the larger hubs in the US such as New York, Florida, Dallas as well as several Caribbean nations and even to the UK (with a stop at Nassau on route).
Note that there are additionally some seasonal direct flights from places like Chicago and Denver, for example.
Vacation Guide to Grand Cayman
Our vacation guide to Grand Cayman comprises of the top things to do in the Cayman Islands when visiting.
#1 Go Diving
Given that Rhys and I both became scuba diving instructors in Grand Cayman, naturally, I had to put this one first.
If you’ve never been diving before, then this is your chance! Look for operators offering Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) experiences; basically a ‘taster’ of diving. It involves some basic skills in the pool followed by a dive – in the sea! – down to a 40ft/12m max.
If you decide it’s the best thing you’ve ever done in your life and want to keep going (totally a possibility) you can sign up for your Open Water certification. It involves a bit more commitment, a bit more cost but is your licence to dive anywhere in the world.
With 100ft+ visibility, there’s plenty to see. Some common sights include various turtles, angelfish, moray eels, grouper, eagle rays, nurse sharks, reef sharks as well as a host of macro life. On super-lucky occasions, even manta rays and hammerheads have been spotted!
COST: ~$145 USD for a DSD (aka Resort Course)
~$575 Open Water Course (eLearning)
$50 – $80 One-Tank Certified Dive (not incl. gear rental)
Recommendations: Sunset House Hotel is ideally located for shore diving and a good option for larger groups. For a smaller, personalised experience then you can’t go wrong with Deep Blue Divers.
#2 Meet the Stingrays
Easily one of Grand Cayman’s most recognisable attractions, a shallow sandbar within the barrier reef of the island’s North Sound lagoon is where visitors and residents flock to meet the local stingrays.
The aptly named Stingray City Sandbar is a must on our vacation guide to Grand Cayman!
If you want a more immersive encounter with the rays, there is the opportunity to snorkel and even dive with them closer to the reef. It will be one of the best 12ft dives you ever do!
COST: $100-$125 USD to visit the Stingray Sandbar
~$80 One-Tank Stingray City Dive or Snorkel (not incl. gear)
Tip: If you’re staying on the island and prefer to avoid crowds, a good tip is to check out the local cruise ship schedule and avoid visiting at these times. This goes for most attractions and visiting the capital, George Town.
#3 Watch a Sunset
One of the more budget-friendly options on the list however, we do recommend a cocktail in hand for the ultimate Caribbean vacation experience.
Sunset House’s My Bar as well as Rackams on George Town’s waterfront were personal favourites for a sunset beverage. The latter also hosts a daily ‘tarpon feeding’ at 7.30pm which is fun to witness.
COST: FREE
For drinks: Happy hour specials are not as prevalent or as generous as you might like and specials change fairly regularly. Ask at your accommodation for up-to-date happy hours going on.
#4 Set Sail
Board a large, luxury catamaran and cruise across the Caribbean Sea.
A fleet of catamarans, owned by Red Sail Sports, offer trips sailing along Seven Mile Beach and the North Sound lagoon. We particularly recommend the Sunset Sail for a memorable experience.
COST: $60 – $125 USD (onboard bar not included)
#5 Visit the ex-USS Kittiwake
One of the most revered wreck dives in the Caribbean lies off the shores of Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach.
The ex-USS Kittiwake, previously a working submarine rescue vessel, was intentionally sunk in January 2011 to form an artificial reef. It has since drawn thousands of spectators to gaze upon her final resting place.
The Kittiwake can be seen from the surface snorkelling, or certified divers can get to explore her a bit more closely.
Note that since this photo Hurricane Nate in 2017 sadly damaged and moved the Kittiwake, leaving her toppled sideways and now 35 feet from the surface (72ft to the bottom).
If you’re interested, you can read more about the history of the USS Kittiwake in action here.
COST: $100 – $130 (dive gear not included); make sure to visit with a licenced operator when booking.
#6 Indulge in Brunch
Sunday brunches on Grand Cayman are a grand event. While the price can range quite substantially, each restaurant offers it’s own brand of Caribbean opulence.
With unlimited food and bubbly, brunch-goers should expect to leave with their bellies busting and, most likely, their heads spinning. Unless you have some form of this “will-power” I’ve heard so much about.
Be prepared to write off the rest of your day and really embrace the ‘island vibe’ that is so prominent here.
We indulged in many brunches over the years. While I don’t think we ever had what I would call a ‘bad’ brunch, we did have some favourites. Luca, Blue Cilantro and Mizu are definitely worth noting.
The closest we’ve found to this extravagant experience outside of Cayman – so far – is in Florida.
COST: $45 – $120 USD
#7 Explore Cayman’s Caves
A relatively new attraction on the scene (they opened in 2017), exploring Cayman’s Crystal Caves is fast becoming a top activity on the island.
This underground network of caves is well worth a visit and totally different to anything else you will find on the surface above.
Visitors can explore Crystal Caves via a 90-minute guided tour that leads through the surrounding forest and three impressive caves.
COST: $45 USD (transport not included)
#8 Drink a mudslide
Rum Point on Cayman’s North Side is the undisputed home of the Mudslide. If have not yet been acquainted with this heavenly cocktail, then you are in for a treat!
Vodka, coffee liquor and cream liquor are a marriage made in heaven, tasting more reminiscent of a melted chocolate ice cream which goes down way too smooth in the Cayman heat.
Also on the north side, beach bar Kaibo also makes a mean version of this tasty beverage.
COST: ~$10 USD
#9 Snorkel with Turtles at Spotts
This quaint beach once seemed like a well-kept secret amongst locals but I think it’s safe to say the word is now out there. Meaning I hopefully won’t upset anyone by sharing this not-so-hidden gem.
Spotts Public Beach is a picturesque strip of sand on the south side of Grand Cayman. While the beach alone may not stand up to the marvels of Seven Mile Beach, the opportunity of spotting a turtle while snorkelling is allure enough.
COST: FREE
Fun fact: Grand Cayman was initially named Las Tortugas when discovered by Christopher Columbus because of all the turtles!
#10 Taste Rum
You’re in the Caribbean; it would be rude not to drink rum. That’s what we frequently told ourselves after a few to many anyway!
The Cayman Islands just so happen to make their very own rum, so it’s even more pertinent that you sample some liquid gold. Seven Fathoms Rum is Cayman’s locally produced spirit and is named such for the 42-feet depth at which the rum is aged in oak barrels under the sea (pretty cool, right?).
While the aging process takes part at an undisclosed secret location, the final product is much easier to find. We suggest a stop at Cayman Spirit Co.’s distillery for a tour and tasting.
COST: $20 USD pp for around an hour.
#11 Chill at the Beach
There’s so many exciting things to do around Grand Cayman that you may need to remind yourself to slow down and relax. Once you do however, it will be a challenge to drag yourself away from the pristine sands and turquoise water.
We have to recommend a spell on Seven Mile Beach as part of our vacation guide to Grand Cayman. Stretching for over five miles across the sheltered leeward shores of the island’s west side, Seven Mile Beach is frequently lauded as one of the best beaches in the whole Caribbean!
Other beaches we recommend to relax include Rum Point, Spott’s and Smith’s Cove (another no-longer-secret locals beach).
COST: FREE
#12 Walk a dog
This suggestion is very close to our hearts.
The Cayman Islands Humane Society is frequently maxed-out in it’s capacity to take in abandoned, neglected or stray dogs from around the island. They rely on volunteers daily to help give each dog a break from the shelter, often in the form of a walk.
Rhys and I used to take a couple at a time and head to the beach.
Who knows, you may even want to adopt and fly a rescue dog home with you! It happens, trust me.
COST: FREE (plus a priceless “thank you” from the doggo!)
#13 Spot a Blue Iguana
Grand Cayman’s Blue Iguana is the country’s largest endemic land animal. While once they roamed the entire island, colonisation has seen the introduction of the green iguana which has out-competed the native species.
Despite fairly recent measures put in place to cull the invasive green iguanas (cooked and sold as ‘tree chicken’ in one local restaurant), the blue iguanas are still only found within a tiny area of the island, at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Gardens. A visit here is definitely recommended.
COST: $25 USD adult entry to the Botanical Gardens.
#14 Eat Lionfish
On the subject of invasive species, the venomous lionfish is equally as infamous among island residents.
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, the lionfish now thrives along the western Atlantic coastline. They have been spotted as far north as Rhode Island, all the way down to Brazil!
The Cayman Islands has spear-headed local initiatives to tackle the issue with leagues set up to cull the predator. Visitors alike are encouraged to ‘do their part’ in eating the tasty fish. We promise, it is delicious! Enjoy as ceviche or battered and deep fried (we’re Brits, what else would we suggest?).
COST: ~$5-$15, subject to availability
#15 Try a New Watersport
Our vacation guide to Grand Cayman would not be complete without highlighting some of the additional opportunities to get out on the water. Especially as there appears to be no shortage of options.
In addition to stand-up paddleboarding water-seekers can jet-ski, kayak, sail a Hobie Cat, go water-skiing, try wakeboarding, kite-boarding… and more!
COST: $25 – $250+ per hour, including private charters
#16 See the Starfish
Starfish Point is an idyllic outreach of sand jutting into the North Sound lagoon, just south of Rum Point.
While it is possible to make your way here (the ‘long’ way round) by car, many will make a stop here as part of a boat trip to see the colourful starfish dispersed along the shallows.
Seeing the starfish is always an exciting experience but just be sure that if you handle them, keep them happy and submerged; they don’t breathe air like the rest of us!
COST: FREE
#17 Experience a Festival
There are many exciting events that adorn Cayman’s annual calendar.
Some of the larger, more elaborate festivities include Pirates Week, Batabano and CayMas. The latter involves some dressing up; the other two… a bit less dress and a bit more flamboyance.
Another not-to-be-missed event if you’re on the island late Jan/early Feb is the Taste of Cayman Food & Wine Festival which offers patrons food, drink and great entertainment.
COST: Parades are free to watch but can cost upwards of $150 to participate. Taste of Cayman tickets are ~$60 but additional food + drink tickets will need to be purchased.
#18 Check out Camana Bay
The promenades of Cayman’s upscale retail and entertainment district along Seven Mile Beach’s harbour-side is certainly worth a stroll. It boasts several blocks of shops, cafes and restaurants with a weekly farmer’s market every Wednesday; get their spicy salad greens and cherry tomatoes in summer!
COST: Free to wander. I recommend splurging on a scoop of gelato, at least!
#19 Hire a Car
Whichever part of the island you end up staying on, we recommend hiring a car for at least a day if possible.
The freedom to drive opens up opportunities to stop and visit less well-known gems around the island; maybe you want to go send a postcard to your loved ones from Hell – literally a thing here!
A note to our North American friends: as a British Overseas Territory, Caymanians drive on the left side of the road.
Cost: From $40 CI per day.
#20 Ride a Swimming Horse
This just screams ‘vacation activity’ and is a great way to make memories on your visit to Grand Cayman.
Even if you don’t like horses (like Rhys), it can still be enjoyable. Kudos to him for the sacrifice here to provide an exceptionally thoughtful birthday present for yours truly.
The experience includes a ride along the quite shores of Barkers National Park with the optional dip in the ocean for a swim. A perfect day out!
Cost: From CI$150 per person for a 2-hour ride with 20 minute swim
#21 Visit the Sister Islands
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are Grand Cayman’s quaint and less-developed Sister Islands.
Extending along the eastern side of the island, Cayman Brac’s epic bluff is a mecca for climbers with jaw-dropping scenery. The island is also well-known for caves and its year-round brown bobby colonies that nest along the cliffs.
While the name of the smallest of the Cayman Islands might be even less well-known, it’s main attraction is a top bucketlist item for divers. Little Cayman’s Bloody Bay Wall is a steep, vertical drop beginning within less than 30ft of the surface and reaches down to abyssal depths of 1000+ft.
If you are interested in visiting the Sister Islands on your next vacation to Grand Cayman, then be sure to factor in additional time and costs. With 100 miles between Grand and Brac, with Little only marginally closer, flights are the easiest way to get there.
Note: If you’re diving and flying, make sure to correctly assess times to avoid decompression sickness. Another option is to research private boat charters that may take you from Grand Cayman to the Bloody Bay Wall.
COST: Return flights from GCM to LCM or CYB cost between $150-$200 USD.
Final Vacation Guide to Grand Cayman Tips
If you need any more convincing of Grand Cayman being a truly awesome vacation destination, then I recommend watching the below video for a quick summary…
If you want to see more by FrickWick Adventures (Rhys’ talented sister and partner), then they have more videos on the Kittiwake and Cayman Brac.
Get planning
We hope our vacation guide to Grand Cayman has helped inspire your next tropical holiday! You’ll be feeling irie in no time.
Have you been to Cayman before? Do you have anything else that would be on your vacation guide to Grand Cayman?
Let us know in the comments below!
