Cayman Islands Visitors Guide

The Cayman Islands are famed for their incredible diving spots. Experienced divers can explore Grand Cayman’s North Wall, which drops deeper than 6,000 feet, and has divers enjoying eagle rays and turtles. For beginner divers, there is a ton of shore diving.

A great spot for all levels is at Cayman Brac, which offers everything from shipwrecks to coral reefs. If you aren’t certified, no worries, there are plenty of places on the island to get certified.

Some of the best places to dive in the Cayman Islands are USS Kittiwake on Grand Cayman, Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman, and Bert Brothers Boulder on Cayman Brac.

Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Mastic Reserve and the Mastic Trail, which passes through a 2-million-year-old woodland area that includes mangrove wetlands, dry forest, and native vegetation. The trail itself follows a restored historic footpath that was reopened in 1995 by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

The trail is 2.3 miles one way (not a loop), so budget for a 4.6-mile round trip. The hike takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours with a guide. The terrain includes some rocky, uneven limestone sections, so wear sturdy hiking shoes. Make sure to bring water and bug repellent.

Cayman Brac is a smaller island, only 12 miles long, that is a part of the Cayman Islands. There is so much to explore on this small island. Visitors can hike one of the twelve marked trails that take you through wetlands, forests, and over the Bluff.

There are also many caves that can be explored on the island. Some are even said to have been used by pirates to stash their treasure. You definitely don’t want to miss the Great Cave, the Nani Cave, or the Skull Cave.

Bird watching is popular on the island with nearly 200 species, including the rare Cayman Brac Parrot. If you want more adventure, you can try rock climbing. Experienced climbers can choose from over 135 titanium-bolted sport climbing routes, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.13b, most falling in the 5.10 to 5.12 range. The dramatic limestone cliffs offer some of the best climbing in the Caribbean.

Relax on the beach or enjoy watersports such as fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling that are popular on this island.

There are some great places around the island for those wanting to relax with a cocktail or beer. Cayman Spirits Company is a distillery that visitors can tour and partake in tastings. Located at 68 Bronze Road in George Town, it’s the only distillery in the Cayman Islands. Skip-the-Line Cayman Spirts Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket.

More of a beer person? Don’t miss a visit to one of the microbreweries around George Town. If you would rather sit at a restaurant, then head over to Tortuga Beach Grill & Bar right on Seven Mile Beach for a spectacular sunset view.

If you prefer wine, you can check out Vines to Ocean (V2O) on Seven Mile Beach, where you can choose from a selection of over 120 wines from around the globe. Pair your wine with a luxurious charcuterie board, nigiri platter, or their famous Cayman-style beef sliders.

  Check out this fun Rum and Beer tour complete with lunch!

One great place to go if you want to be away from the crowd is Owen Island. This small island is just a short kayak ride from southwest coast of Little Cayman. It is the perfect island to relax on, snorkel, or go fishing.

  Whether you chose to snorkel on Owen Island or elsewhere, snorkeling options abound in the Cayman Islands. Check out the Cayman Islands’ fantastic snorkeling tours here.

Visit the Cayman Turtle Centre to learn more about the Cayman Islands ecosystem and the conservation of the turtles. This is the largest land-based tourist attraction on the island, and even offers guests an opportunity to swim with the turtles for an additional cost.

Visit the Crystal Caves while on the northside of Grand Cayman. Visitors take a guided tour that is approximately 1.5 hours through the tropical forest and three spectacular caves featuring stalactite and stalagmite formations millions of years old. Tours run daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The caves are located about 40-50 minutes from Seven Mile Beach. Tickets can be purchased on their website; however, if you’d like a suggestion there is Cayman Crystal Cave and Pedro St. James Castle Tour.

This popular cruise port offers visitors everything from the best restaurants, the tasty rum tours, the marvelous art galleries, and the best duty-free shopping. Put on your most comfortable shoes and just wander around the city, stopping at any and all the places that strike your fancy. From high-end stores to small boutique shops, there are plenty of places to keep your wallet warm all day.

The Cayman Islands National Museum is a great place to learn about the island’s history and unique cultural heritage. Some of the galleries include the Natural History Gallery, the Cultural History Gallery, the Old Gaol or Jail, 60 Years of Coat of Arms, and the newest Miss Annie Huldah Bodden Gallery.

Stingray City is a wide sandbar that is surrounded by barrier reefs, which is home to a wide variety of fish and stingrays. Visitors can choose from an array of different tours to go swimming with stingrays, turtles, starfish, and other wild sea creatures. You can easily book an excursion on your own, but if you would like a suggestion there is the three and half hour Starfish and Stingray City Adventure with Snorkeling.