If your travel plans involve visiting some of the beautiful islands in the Caribbean, then the Cayman Islands should be on your list. A British Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands are located in the Western Caribbean and offer plenty of activities for visitors just like you. There are many places to visit, plenty of food to eat, and activities that stretch well into the night. For many, the Cayman Islands is the ultimate Caribbean experience.
What follows are some great places to visit within the island chain, so you can make the most out of your visit.
Atlantis Submarines
Are you interested in visiting the underwater world, but you do not want to get wet? If so, Atlantis Submarines is for you. You and your family will ride in a large, 48-passenger submarine down to depths of 30 meters and see the vast, underwater world right outside the large windows the submarine provides. This means that you will see tropical fish, coral formations, canyons, and even shipwrecks which will take your breath away. You can take the tour during the day or night, which offers a spectacular view of marine life.
Cayman Turtle Center
Here, you can see two different species of sea turtles. The green sea turtles and the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles up close and personal. With wading pools and touch tanks, you can interact with these marvelous creatures all in their natural environment. You can even hold baby turtles if you desire and by adding a little to your ticket price, you can enter the adjoining marine park which offers swimming pools, tropical birds, a snorkeling lagoon full of fish, and a replica of the famous gingerbread houses that recreates a beautiful section of George Town.
East End
If you are looking for something secluded, the East End offers wonderful dive sites, authentic island cuisine, and beaches that are open and relatively free of tourist attractions. The East End is on Grand Cayman and offers a great alternative to the west coast, which is also spectacular, but has far more tourist attractions which may interfere with your enjoyment. Plus, about fifteen minutes from the East End is Rum Point, a cove that is perfect for relaxing and playing with friends and family.
George Town
If you are looking to do a little shopping, this is the place to be. George Town has developed quite the reputation for being a popular banking hub, but the capital of the Cayman may be more famous for being an excellent shopping center with plenty of things to do. You’ll find many duty-free shops, art galleries, and remarkable architecture as many of the buildings along the harbor have that gingerbread appearance.
Mastic Reserve
This remarkable reserve on Grand Cayman protects a sub-tropical forest which is shrinking rapidly due to deforestation. At three-kilometers in length, you can walk the Mastic Trail which takes you through the forest that includes black mangrove wetland, dry forest, and silver thatch palms. As part of the trail, you will walk along the iron shore, a jagged area that remains mostly untouched by humans. The trail itself is actually more than a century old and was restored in the 1990s and has become quite popular in revealing a disappearing part of the Caymans.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park
This remarkable botanical park located on Grand Cayman offers a unique setting for the flora and fauna which is a natural part of the island. In the park, you can stroll through the flowers, ponds topped by lilies, gardens, and may even spot the rare blue iguana. The Heritage Garden sports a restored Caymanian cottage which provides a unique look into the past.
Seven Mile Beach
The name may be simple enough and it explains how long the beach is, which is near George Town, however, it does not begin to describe the incredible beauty and serenity it offers. If you have been on a cruise ship that visited the Caymans, you may have set foot on this beach which is a popular resting spot. This remarkable stretch of sand is expertly maintained and offers a stunning view of the ocean. The emphasis is on peace and quiet to enjoy the ocean breezes, so the beach itself is usually free of vendors.
Scuba Diving
One of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean, you can find plenty of great places to explore the underwater world and marine life in the Caymans. Many of the best sites are only a short distance form the shore and the coral formations along with the clear water makes for a magnificent diving experience. The only question will be how many of the best places will you visit on your trip. If you are into scuba diving, then you’ll want to check out the following locations in Grand Cayman;
- Devil’s Grotto
- Kittiwake Shipwreck and Artificial Reef
- North Wall
- Smith Cove
- Spotts Beach
If you travel to Little Cayman, then you’ll want to check out Bloody Bay Wall, Jackson’s Bight, and MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, which is a sunken Russian frigate that is one of the most popular diving spots.
Stingray City
If you are curious about sting rays, then this is the place to visit which is at Raleigh Quay on Grand Cayman. One of the most famous of all shallow watering diving areas in the Caribbean, Stingray City allows you to feed and interact with these remarkable creatures which are quite friendly. You’ll find out that stingrays are just as curious about you and will glide about as you swim in the area. For those who may be a little shy to touch them, if you simply kneel on the sandy floor of the ocean, they will come to you.
If you are looking to experience what the Caribbean has to offer, the Cayman Islands are a great place to start. Stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and plenty of things to do, the Cayman Islands offer travelers like you everything you expect from a tropical paradise and more.
