Adventure awaits: 10 things to do in the Cayman Islands
By Anna Wootton
23 Sep 2020
23 Sep 2020
Updated: 12 January 2023
Our sales specialists don’t just love Cayman Islands real estate – they love the Cayman lifestyle. Whether you are a first-time vacationer, a returning part-time resident, or a full-time resident who loves to “live where you vacation” (a common hashtag shared on social media in Cayman), the Cayman Islands has so much to offer. Here, adventure awaits – from adrenaline-filled watersports to mouthwatering culinary festivals. We pooled our team's top recommendations to provide this list of top 10 things to do when visiting the Cayman Islands.
Whether it’s an adventure-filled day kite-surfing off Barker’s National Park or scuba diving along the depths of the North Wall, adrenaline watersports are aplenty in the Cayman Islands. Of course, if laidback beach days are more your speed, kayaking, paddleboarding or simply floating along Seven Mile Beach are all relaxing ways to enjoy the beautiful waters off Grand Cayman. Don't miss the most visited of all Cayman Islands attractions, the Stingray City sandbar – home to a fever of southern stingrays. Experience this unique adventure and kiss a stingray for seven years good luck!
This bustling Town Centre is a must-visit on Grand Cayman. As a place to work, dine, and play, Camana Bay is home to myriad business establishments, diverse restaurants, and designer shops.
Among the many events held annually, Camana Bay hosts weekly events such as a local farmers and artisans market on Wednesdays and, on the weekends, catch a Hollywood blockbuster at the island’s only cinema, Camana Bay Cinema, or splash about in the waterfront fountains.
Never dull, the Cayman Islands has plenty of fun events throughout the year to keep residents and visitors entertained. In early January, partake in Cayman Cookout, a three-day dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, where celebrity chefs like Eric Ripert and José Andrés demonstrate how they create their signature dishes. Residents also enjoy a multitude of music festivals, sporting events, and cultural festivals like Pirates Week in early November.
Browse a collection of local artwork and traditional crafts as well as ever-changing international exhibits at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Check out the latest events held by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, featuring events from steel pan performances to storytelling with Gimistory.
As the "culinary capital of the Caribbean," the Cayman Islands offers endless dining options, not to mention being spoiled for choice when it comes to seafood. Be sure to try conch, a popular dish on the island, which can be prepared many different ways from stewed, deep fried and dunked in jerk sauce, or caught fresh for a ceviche. For more on the dining scene, read our guide to the top 10 restaurants to try while visiting Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands is rich in culture and the arts. In an effort to preserve the remaining articles of its history, the Cayman Islands National Museum is the living connection to the Islands’ past. Located on George Town’s waterfront, the museum has interactive displays giving visitors the opportunity to experience the territory's unique natural and cultural heritage.
In Grand Cayman, wellness is top of mind with multiple luxury retreats such as a La Prairie spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which offers its guests signature La Prairie treatments, including a luxurious caviar massage and various other treatments to refresh and renew. The SPA at Seafire, located at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, houses the island’s only Turkish-style hammam.
From the novice to advanced player, golfers can find the only 18-hole championship golf course in the Cayman Islands at North Sound Golf Club. At The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, golf enthusiasts enjoy an award-winning nine-hole course designed by Greg Norman. Whichever course you choose, you will experience lush tropical landscapes complete with sunbathing iguanas and distracting water views.
Shifting away from the scenic beaches, Grand Cayman is lush with majestic flora and fauna. Take a stroll through the Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park in North Side where tropical indigenous plants flourish throughout. It is here where guests can also catch a glimpse of the freely roaming and endangered Blue Iguana that is endemic to the Cayman Islands.
Continuing east, visit the Crystal Caves – a newly discovered underground cave system – where thousands of glimmering crystals and an underground watering hole make this one of the most magical sites in the Cayman Islands.
A special treat when visiting Grand Cayman, escape the hustle and bustle of the big island to the more laidback Sister Islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, both minutes away by flight. On the Brac, climb 100-foot bluffs, wander through caves, or do some bird-watching. In Little Cayman, partake in a diving excursion, or spend the day on the pristine coral-sand shore.
This 22-mile-long slice of paradise has so much to discover. Luckily when living in Grand Cayman you have all the time in the world to explore its many wonders. For more on visiting the Cayman Islands, be sure to check out our Visitor Guide.
About the author
Anna Wootton is the Digital Marketing & PR Manager for Dart’s business development and real estate companies and assets, including Dart Real Estate, Provenance Properties, Cayman Alternative Investment Summit (CAIS), Camana Bay and The Residences at Seafire. Born in the Cayman Islands, with British heritage and a Canadian passport, Anna is multinational with a Caymankind heart. Anna has a background in journalism and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from University of British Columbia. She has worked for Dart for the past six years.
