Grand Cayman is a little island just south of Cuba in the Caribbean, and some of the best things to do in Grand Cayman may surprise you. This island is a short flight from Miami, a popular cruise port, and a great Caribbean getaway. The largest of the Cayman Islands, there are lots of things to see and do, and is a great Caribbean Island to visit if you still want some of your creature comforts along with an abundance of adventure. Whether you are visiting for a day on a cruise or staying for a week, here are some of the best things to do in Grand Cayman.
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Ride Horses in the Caribbean Sea
If you’re an adventurous person and want to get more out of a beach visit, then riding with Spirit of the West Cayman may be the best day trip for you. Hop aboard a well trained horse for any level and ride down the beautiful Caribbean beach. If you book the sea swim, you will start out your ride in a saddle, walking down the beach as you get acquainted with your horse. After a short ride, you’ll dismount, take the saddle off, and begin your ride into the ocean. You’ll ride out and back into water that is up to 6 ft deep. This will give your horse ample swimming, while ensuring you feel secure. While you’re riding, you may slip back a little, but grabbing a little handful of your horse’s mane can help you feel secure without yanking on their mouth.
If you are an intermediate to advanced rider, you may want to consider booking the private sea swim ride. The experience begins the same way, with a calm ride down Barker’s beach, then untacking and riding your horse bareback in the Caribbean sea. After your swim on the private ride, however, you are given the chance to canter or gallop down the beach, should your skills reflect the skill of the ride.
Even if you’re not an experienced rider, I would consider booking the private ride solely for the fact that the price is comparable to the group ride, with much more attention from your guides.
You can book your horse riding experience here, and be sure to pack a waterproof camera or phone case!
Dive or Snorkel Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto
Just off the shore of the well populated cruise mooring is Eden Rock Dive Center. If you’re looking for incredible diving without a long boat ride or hopping to other islands, Eden Rock may be your best bet. While there is a ton of shore diving in Cayman, Eden Rock offers one of the best dive sites for snorkeling, scuba, and free diving that are easily accessible from town and friendly for all levels.
When you arrive, if you are shore diving, the Dive Center offers rentals, maps, and cleaning stations. You can look into a guided dive as well, but is not necessary to get in the water. Within the dive shop property is a restaurant offering food and drinks for after your dive, while you warm up and dry off.
If you are hoping to snorkel or free dive, note that the reef can vary in depth all the way up to 50 ft. There are caves and deep points of the reef that you can swim through if you are an experienced free diver, however if you’re not comfortable at deep depths or with your view of the surface interrupted, I would stick to swimming above the reef. Diving is safe and popular around the area, but be sure to consult with a dive master before venturing under the reefs.
Visit Starfish Point
If venturing deep underwater isn’t your thing, but you still want to experience some unique Caribbean marine life, then heading to Starfish Point may be your best bet. Located on the east side of the bay, the point offers calm waters that are popular to wade in, and are filled with starfish.
Driving from Georgetown, it’s about an hour drive east and north around the island to get to point. Once you’re there, there is ample parking and easy walking to explore all the various beachside lagoons that the starfish like to hang out in.
It is very shallow, and great to relax in, with some shady areas closer to shore. If you’re visiting on a boat tour, note that it could get a little more crowded as many boat tours visit around similar times. Be sure to keep the starfish in the water to keep them safe, but take lots of pictures for your memories!
Want to stay at the most luxe resort in Grand Cayman? Check out the Palm Heights resort here!
Visit Rum Point
Just before the Starfish point if you are driving from Georgetown, you’ll stumble across a newly renovated restaurant, dock, and beach called Rum Point. Once a popular destination for island drinks and snorkeling, this spot is also a popular jump off point for some of the boat tours.
Rum Point re-opened in late 2023, with it’s famous mudslides, beach snorkeling, boat tours, and even vacation rental spots. Many of the Stingray City tours hop off from the Rum Point docks.
While I didn’t get to see Rum Point re-opened, I got to experience the beach and dock, and I would highly recommend visiting. I can’t wait to go back and try one of the famous Rum Point Mudslides!
Visit Cayman’s Camana Bay (For Restaurants/Shopping)
If you’re a foodie or enjoy shopping, or even late night entertainment, then Camana Bay may be your go-to spot to visit in Cayman. Camana Bay is full of some of the best shopping in Grand Cayman, from boutiques to book stores and a variety of restaurants. This is where the locals come to play. Located just north of GeorgeTown, Camana Bay is known as the shopping and dining district for visitors and locals alike.
Camana Bay offers dining experiences like gourmet sushi, a wildly popular jazz entertainment night, wonderful breakfast options at Jessie’s, and nearly any other dining cuisine you can hope for. And the shopping options are varied as well, from book shops to Caribbean souvenirs, and even designer options.
If you had to choose one business to visit at Camana Bay, I’d recommend the Jazz Night at Next Door. With incredible cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinners, and live music, Next Door truly made me feel like I wasn’t in the Caribbean.
Experience Seven Mile Beach
Hoping to stay on Seven Mile Beach? Check out the Kimpton Seafire!
One of the world’s most famous beaches is Seven Mile Beach. Located on Grand Cayman in George Town you can find one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. This beach is 7 miles of interrupted white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
On the west side of the island, Seven Mile beach is known for incredible sunsets and has some of the island’s most popular resorts along its shoreline. You can walk along the beach and enjoy a good workout, or you can relax and sip wine as the sun dips down below the horizon.
From. the beach, you can access a variety of tours, including sailing tours, snorkel and dive tours, aeronautical exhibitions, and more! And if you’re looking for an easily accessible, beach resort, The Kimpton Seafire may be a great option for your Grand Cayman vacation.
Swim with Rays at Stingray City
One of the most famous things to do in Grand Cayman is to swim with the Stingrays at “Stingray City”. This is one of the most popular reasons that Grand Cayman is one of the best Caribbean islands to visit. This sandbar, located just near Rum Point, and only a short boat ride from GeorgeTown, you can immerse yourself into the shallow waters surrounded by the big Southern Rays.
If you are headed to Stingray City, be sure to pack and wear reef-safe sunscreen, practice the “stingray shuffle” and only interact with the animals when safe. to do so. These are some amazing animals that help protect our oceans, and we can protect them by being cautious about our interactions with them.
Check out these popular tours below, or book a private catamaran tour for up to 15 people here!
Explore the Cayman Crystal Caves
The Cayman Crystal Caves is a unique natural formation on this small island, with three caves to explore, beautiful tropical grounds, and even unique animals to see. The tour lasts roughly 1 1/2 hours, and is a guided tour. You’ll begin by purchasing tickets (if you haven’t online already), then learn about the history of the grounds and the caves. From there you’ll either take a small bus or drive yourself a short distance to the cave openings.
Book your Crystal Caves Tour Here!
Your tour begins walking through the nature forest, where your guide will talk about the native plants in the area. This walk brings you to the entrances of the caves. The caves are easy for most able bodied people, and some areas have a boardwalk. Some of the caves have stairs in order to enter, while others just have a path. Inside the caves, you can see a variety of stalagmites, stalactites, and may even see some bats! Be sure to pack some bug spray and wear shoes you are comfortable walking on some uneven terrain in. The Cayman Crystal Caves are a great way to see some more of the natural wonders that Cayman has to offer, and a nice escape from the bright sun if you’re a little sunburned.
Attend a Beach Clean Up with Plastic Free Cayman
If you’re interested in helping out the ocean or eco-tourism, keep up with Plastic Free Cayman to assist in one of their many beach or ocean cleanups. They are held regularly with lots of other events throughout the year. Unfortunately, ocean plastics and pollution have become a huge problem around the world, but organizations like Plastic Free Cayman are making strides to try and reduce the amount of ocean pollution.
This is a great way to give back to Mother Nature during your travels, and a great way to meet other likeminded locals and travelers!
Want to help out with a beach cleanup? Click here to visit Plastic Free Cayman’s site!
Take a Sunset Sail with Red Sail Cayman
If you’re like me and enjoy sailing, then you’ve got to take a sunset sail off of Seven Mile Beach with Red Sail Cayman. This was one of my favorite activities while visiting Grand Cayman. There are so many different sailing and boat trips that the company offers, including snorkel trips, but I absolutely recommend their sunset sail. You’ll be sailing on a large catamaran and have food included, and beverages available for purchase. The sail is a couple hours long, with gorgeous sunset views. You’ll meet on Seven Mile Beach and board the boat, get your safety briefing, and may stop at another resort to pick up other guests. Once everyone is onboard, the crew will hoist the sails and you’ll be engines off as you sail up and down the coast, watching one of the prettiest sunsets in the Caribbean!
Heading to Grand Cayman? Be sure to Pin this post so you don’t miss out on the best things to do in the Cayman Islands!
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