With the current global pandemic looming over us, it’s important to understand just how travel insurance works in today’s world. Our friends at ‘Consumers Advocate’ have written a great article on the subject which we thought we would share.
The team at Consumers Advocate committed hundreds of hours researching what policies have which sort of coverage and how they may affect your next trip. The result is a guide on the best travel insurance featuring a side by side comparison of 4 different companies voted “best for” in various categories and a handful of other great providers. The insurances were assessed on their coverage, benefits, financial strength, as well as price and reputation. Follow the highlighted link above for more details.
Whether you choose travel insurance for your international or domestic trip, make sure you understand exactly what’s covered. There are different categories for the basic coverage, as well as limitations for coverage such as alcohol use and extreme sports. One additional coverage that has been highlighted with the current global pandemic is the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on; it’s considered the “Cadillac of cancellation coverage” and as the name suggests, acts as one of the few add on’s that will allow you to cancel for any reason.
When selecting both your travel insurance and your potential add-on’s, it’s important to make sure you fully understand the fine print before booking your next trip. Seriously consider what additional options you may need, if any. Also, note that your credit card and any health insurance plan you have may also provide some level of travel insurance. That said, it’s really important to fully understand the specifics of any travel insurance plan – The devil is in the details!
So, when you’re planning your next big Caribbean adventure, consider reducing some of your potential concerns of the unknown by acquiring the appropriate travel insurance. Planning and enjoying your vacation, should be stress-free experience.
St. Kitts Hiking – To the Top of a Caribbean Volcano
The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Islands commonly referred to as “SKN”, is a two-island nation, part of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles’ Leeward Islands. St Kitts, as it’s typically referred to, and Nevis are the tops of a submerged volcanic mountain range, covered with rolling green folds of volcanic peaks and lush valleys. With more than a quarter of the islands protected as National Parks and with half a dozen mountains reaching above 1,500 feet (500m), I was excited to hike there. We decided to take on the highest peak on St Kitts, Mount Liamuiga (formerly known as Mount Misery). This dormant stratovolcano stands 3,792 feet (1,156 m) above sea level, making it the highest point of all the Leeward Islands – A bucket-list adventure hike for sure!
We were picked up by a local tour operator at Basseterre’s Port Zante, where our Cruise Ship was docked for the day and headed through town then up the west coast. Before leaving the outskirts of town, we stopped at a local supermarket and waited while our guide picked up some snacks. I thought that was kind of strange, but when on the islands you just have to roll with it… It was an interesting drive along the west coast of St. Kitts. We enjoyed some great views of the Caribbean Sea along with getting to see what life is like on the island when we went through a number of modest villages. It was a fairly slow drive, as the small road was full of twists and turns and we encountered several bog downs in each village. While my gaze was usually out to sea, I also glanced inland whenever we were directed to do so as we passed major St. Kitts attractions, such as the Fairview Greathouse, Romney Manor and the imposing Brimstone Fortress.
About a little more than half an hour after leaving the Island’s capital, we were in the village of Newton Ground. At this point, we headed inland up a series of narrow and rough roads. There were beautiful flowering plants on the sides of the road which made the bumpy ride more enjoyable. As we approached the base of the volcano, my excitement grew with anticipation of the pending climb. We parked near the trailhead located at the south/east end of town. With the majestic volcano towering in front of us and the glistening blue Caribbean Sea with the island of St. Eustatius in view behind us, we headed off into the woods.
The hike started on a mild but gradual incline with the trail twisting and turning like we were on a large rounded switchback. Early in the hike the trail suddenly plunged into a large trench, probably caused by some ancient volcanic activity and/or torrential rains over the years. Along the trail, the jungle was fairly dense, filled with amazing gommier and banyan trees as well as curtains of vines everywhere. What really stood out to me on this hike was the crazy exposed tree roots – I’ve never seen so many, large tree root systems before in my entire life. While these roots actually helped in some areas by giving traction to climb steep parts of the trail, they also made it a bit dangerous as we had to watch that we didn’t trip over them – I could easily picture someone taking a header and face-planting into the ground.
Our local hiking guide clearly knew the flora well as he pointed out a number of plants and trees along the way, explaining their uses in traditional medicines – Cures for everything from nasal congestion and indigestion, to arthritis – I loved the familiar scent of the eucalyptus for sure! He also explained how we were travelling from a woodland area, through a rainforest jungle, to a dwarfed cloud forest at the top of the volcano. Although we did not see any of St. Kitts and Nevis’ famous monkeys, we could hear them chattering from time to time, so we knew they were around us. The trail was well worn, composed mostly of dry dirt and rocks, although I understand that it can be dangerously muddy and slick when it rains.
After hiking at a leisurely but steady pace for about an hour and a half we stopped for a break. Our guide gave us some sort of sweet bread that he had picked up earlier. Now I was happy that he had stopped – It was delicious! He also threw some bread onto the ground, which I thought was kind of inappropriate, but lo and behold, it wasn’t long before a mongoose appeared to snack on the crumbs. While I’m not a fan of feeding wild animals, I had never seen a mongoose before, so I felt a mix of guilty pleasure as I watched the creature darting around! Well, it was time to get back to our enjoyable ‘up-hill’ hike.
From here on, the hike got much steeper and challenging, with a few really cool near-vertical sections that tested our cardio and leg strength as well as our coordination. After about 45 minutes or so we eventually reached the ridge of the volcano. Wow – We could actually see down inside the natural structure. The insides of the volcano were a lush blanket of greenery, made up mostly of small shrubs and plants. We could also see a large patch of sulfur vents at the bottom of the crater, along with a small pool of (rain) water. I was wondering – how many people are fortunate enough to see inside a Volcano while vacationing in the Caribbean? It was a uniquely spectacular view, and with a cool cloud-filled breeze constantly blowing around us, it was a surreal experience! Fortunately, we had enough breaks in the cloud cover to get a good view of the crater. Our guide told us that some really adventurous people, with more time, the proper equipment as well as mountain climbing experience, have descended the thousand feet (300m) into the crater to walk the bottom. That would be intense.
The crater
Mist from the clouds rolled in pretty heavy at this stage. I should mention that we did not actually go to the highest point, as the volcano peak was, as usual, shrouded in cloud cover. Our guide informed us that we wouldn’t be able to see anything. That said, I suspect it would have only taken another 20 minutes or so to get to and from the top. I can imagine that on a clear day, the panoramic views of the island from there would be absolutely sensational.
It is the same trail down, although we traversed it much quicker than the hike up. Feeling giddy from our accomplishment of making it to the top, we were kind-of playful and decided to race down a short section of the trail… until that is, my momentum was taking me out of control. Glad I got that out of my system without rolling an ankle or tumbling down the side of the volcano! That said, for the most part we were extra careful on the descent, being very mindful of all those roots and rocks sticking out of the ground. The trail sure looks different on the way down! There were a couple of near-vertical sections where we literally slid down on our butts, in order to avoid tumbling uncontrollably down the hill. While this is a pretty popular activity on the island, we only came across one other group the day we were there. As part of a group with varied physical conditions and hiking experience, it took us just under 5 hours for a leisurely-paced hike up and down the volcano.
Well, I have to say that I really enjoyed this excellent ‘up-hill’ hike – It is probably one of my all-time favourites! This is what I had imagined a hike up a volcano on a Caribbean island would be like. Winding our way through a tropical forest up a mountainside, reaching the top and peering down into an open crater. This thrilling hike did not disappoint. I found the hiking quite comfortable in some sections, strenuous in others, and I was constantly fascinated by the varying environment.
For a more ‘technical’ Trail Report as well as much more information on hiking in St. Kitts & Nevis, please reference the following links (to pages on our website):
If you’re looking for more active things to do while vacationing on the islands, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Adventures blog for more great ideas!
For a more relaxed vacation itinerary, you can find great Tourist Attractions on the islands, by checking out our Things to Do in St. Kitts & Nevis blog
For more information on the Caribbean’s Tallest Mountains, check out our Caribbean Peaks blog post
Saint Lucia Hiking – A Natural “Stair Climber” of a Trail
Saint Lucia can be found in the southern Caribbean’s Windward Islands, just south of Martinique and west of Barbados. Exploring St. Lucia will reveal a green mountainous island with the distinctive and easily recognizable volcanic spires called the Pitons. A popular Caribbean destination, best known for romantic getaways, St. Lucia also has plenty to offer adventurous travelers looking to hike in the Caribbean. While the island has a variety of trails, including relaxing short nature walks, no Saint Lucia hiking trip is complete without climbing the iconic and majestic Gros Piton.
One year we decided to hike the Piton while we visited the island as part of a cruise. We had signed up for a boat, beach and hiking tour and our day started by boarding a speedboat at the Castries cruise ship terminal. We sped south along St. Lucia’s west coast towards the popular tourist area of Soufriere. We were motoring fast and had to hold on to our hats to keep from losing them overboard. What would have taken over an hour by car, we traveled in half the time, skipping over the waves. I was trying to check-out the coastline attractions along the way, however it was a constant strain, with the sun sitting so low in the background. Eventually, our tour guide took the boat right up onto the beach just south of the Pitons, near the town of Anse Ivrogne. Now that we were up close and in the shadow of the intimidating Piton, I have to admit I was a little nervous – It looked fairly steep and tall.
Our hiking guide was waiting for us on the beach and after a brief introduction we headed off, first along the shore, then inland towards the mountain. It wasn’t long before we reached the trailhead at the base of the Piton. The trail started out on a nice natural dirt path surrounded by low-growth trees and shrubs. We were walking on a steady and gradual incline, sort of winding around the mountain a bit instead of heading aggressively straight up the side of the Piton. After about half an hour or so I figured we were about a third of the way up the mountain. At this point, the path converged with a trail from the east, which I understand comes from an alternative starting point for the hike, in the village of Fond Gen Libre. OK, now the trail turned towards the piton and took a more direct assault of the mountain. It got much steeper and more challenging in a hurry. It was a pretty tough climb for the next half hour as we gained some serious elevation. We stopped for a short break, drinking some much-needed water and taking some awesome pictures. There was a viewing area where we could see the beautiful south-east coastline of St. Lucia, along with the island of St. Vincent faintly visible in the background. This was a sensational view that got me wondering what the views from the top of the piton would be like.
The next, and final 30 minutes or so of the hike was pretty steep… ok, really steep. It was like being on a stair-climber in a gym with no AC. There were some areas where we literally scrambled and crawled on our hands and feet, up-and-over large rocks and boulders. There were other portions of the path that skirted the eroded mountainside, making it a bit let’s say, interesting. There were rough man-made stairs along with rustic railings consisting of ropes and branches in order to keep us safe. There was no way I was going to put too much faith (or weight) on those hand supports. We stopped again at another look-out area, this time on the other side of the mountain. This spot provided us with an amazing up-close-and-personal view of the Petit Piton. While I heard that it is possible to hike the skinnier piton, it’s obvious from this vantage point that it would be fairly dangerous climbing the slopes of that massive outcrop, which is even steeper than the Gros Piton.
We left the wooded section of the piton and with one more short burst of energy, we made it to the top. While we were catching our breath one more time, we relaxed a while taking in the spectacular views of the south end of the island. There was a nice refreshing breeze at the top which cooled us down from all the physical exertion and sweating we had done to get here. At approximately 2,600 feet (785 meters) above sea level, we could see the outline of the little peninsula Vieux Fort to the south-east, along with a clear view of St. Vincent to the south. I could stay up here all day – This view just doesn’t get old.
The hike had been all up-hill and had tested our leg and cardio conditioning for sure… Our guide, knowing that we were on a schedule, had pushed us all to keep moving. While the path to get here was fairly challenging, the hike wasn’t over yet. The trail down is the same as the way up, this time scrambling down over the rocks and steep sections of the trail. I’ve always found it harder on the legs to go down a mountain than up it, although thankfully this trail really wasn’t very long, so it didn’t cause any problems.
St. Lucia’s Pitons are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is probably one of the most photographed landmarks in the southern Caribbean. As a result, the Gros Piton is by far the most popular hike in St. Lucia, and as an icon of the island, a must-do for the hiking enthusiast! No surprise that we encountered a few other groups on the trail. We eventually made our way back to the boat for the return voyage. This time we took a relaxing cruise northward along the coast. With plenty of time before the cruise ship left port, we stopped at Sugar Beach where we enjoyed some snorkeling and lunch. We also took a little tour of the luxurious Marigot Bay before heading back to port. WOW – What a great day!
ACT Staff
For a more ‘technical’ Trail Report as well as much more information on hiking in Saint Lucia, please reference the following links (to pages on our website):
Hill Top Fortifications, Mount Obama, Coastal trails and more!
Antigua and Barbuda are a Caribbean nation in the Leeward Islands just north of Guadeloupe and east of Montserrat and St. Kitts & Nevis. Known as the sailing capital of the English Caribbean, Antigua is famous for it’s 365 white sand beaches and excellent cuisine. It’s worth knowing that the island also has some amazing hiking trails. Trails that are so quiet that you’ll likely encounter only 1 or two other small groups on your hike! So, when you’ve bored of suntanning and are looking to explore the gorgeous island, get a little exercise by checking out the island’s diverse hiking trials. Antigua hiking trails offer something for everyone – There are short sight-seeing strolls as well as some longer more challenging hilly hikes – Surprisingly, Antigua has got it all.
Most of Antigua’s more popular hiking trails are located in the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park and Shirley Heights area, however there are also a number of trails in the south-west corner of Antigua. Amid the rolling hills and volcanic features of the “Green Corridor”, you can explore the Wallings Nature Reserve, Christian Valley, as well as Mount Obama – the island’s highest peak at 1,330 feet (405m) above sea level. While there’s plenty more to choose from, our favourite Antigua hiking trails include:
Mount Obama Trail
While Antigua’s landscape is mostly flat coral and limestone, the island’s hilly south-west has some interesting volcanic formations as well as larger vegetation than the rest of the island. This area is home to Mount Obama National Park and the island’s tallest peak, Mount Obama. Formerly known as Boggy Peak, the area was renamed in 2009 in honour of the historic presidential election of Barack Obama in the USA.
This is an intermediate level ‘hilly’ hike of just over 4 miles (6.6km) requiring 2 to 3 hours to complete. This review is based on hiking over the mountain one way, from north to south. The hike starts on a nice dirt road lined with papaya trees which narrows onto a trail that disappears into the forest. The natural path twists and turns through the woods, traveling across a couple of dry riverbeds along the way. The dry trail is littered with leaves and foliage from the surrounding trees and bamboo stands, all the while constantly going up and up. The trail gets steeper as it nears the top and becomes really steep on the last section which is actually a concrete road that winds it’s way around the mountain peak.
Feel the refreshing cool breeze at the top as you take-in the spectacular 360 degree views. The southern view of the Antigua coastline and Caribbean Sea includes two of the island’s most famous icons, a large field growing the island’s famous ‘black pineapple’ and the island’s top snorkeling spot, Cades Reef. On a clear day you can even see Montserrat off in the distance. This perspective is flanked by amazing views of rolling hills that hint at the island’s volcanic past. Although the views to the north are somewhat obstructed by telecom towers and antennas, you can easily see the western Caribbean coastline including Darkwood Beach and Jolly Harbour, as well as St. John’s way off in the distance, easily discernible when there’s a cruise ship in port.
The southern descent follows a concrete road all the way to the agricultural land near the bottom of the mountain. Fortunately, the road is not too steep as it twists and turns most of the way down before transitioning to a less arduous road lined with coconut and other fruit trees. A fun way to spend the morning and a “must do” Antigua trail for the avid hiker!
For a longer, more colourful review of this trail, check out our personal Antigua hiking experience with our Mount Obama Blog
Monk’s Hill to Fort George
This short but rewarding hike journeys to an Antigua hilltop with stunning views of Falmouth Harbour. This is an easy/intermediate level “hilly” trail of just under 2 miles (3km) requiring an hour or so to complete. Part of Antigua’s National Park system, the remains of 17th century Fort George sits atop Monk’s Hill, 650 feet (200m) above sea level.
The trail starts as a paved road that quickly degrades into a stone covered dirt road. During the first part of the hike, the left side of the trail offers teasing views of the ocean and southern coastline, partially seen over the rooftops of a few houses perched on the side of the hill. The flora on the right side of the road is an interesting combination of tropical forest and dry scrub desert – It’s somewhat green and lush, although there’s a variety of cacti dotting the landscape as well.
The trail unfolds steadily uphill on a gentle incline, making it a very pleasant stroll. As the track nears the mountain top it takes a hairpin turn along a stone wall, which is part of the old fortification. The trail follows the wall until it ducks into the fort’s entrance through a stone archway then pretty much disappears. The hilltop reveals a large flat rock surface with the remains of a stone building among the scrub brush. The wind is strong along the edge of the escarpment, but the southern view is worth being subjected to it. The Antigua shoreline, in all it’s glory, unfolds below! The amazing view of the bays and natural harbours, provide a great reward for such little exertion required for this hike. The spectacular view of Falmouth Bay, English Harbour and the rolling hills to the west make this a great vantage point. It’s also fun to see sailing regattas unfold below, watching several sailboats racing back and forth across the large bay.
Before heading back down the same trail, a short walk to the other side of the mountain top reveals interesting views to the north-east. Sights include the stone remains of an old mill, a fairly large solar farm as well as the Atlantic Ocean way off in the distance.
For a longer, more colourful review of this hike, check out our personal Antigua hiking experience with our Monk’s Hill & Fort George Blog
Middle Ground Trail to Nelson’s Dockyard
This enjoyable Antigua hike crosses the small peninsula that separates English Harbour from Falmouth Harbour, ending at historic Fort Berkeley. There’s also a small spur trail that connects the fort to the popular tourist attraction of Nelson’s Dockyard. This can be a hot and arid hike on an easy / intermediate level trail of just under 3 miles (4.5km) requiring a couple of hours or more to complete.
The trail starts in a nice wooded area near a beach, with a short climb up a fairly steep, but small hill. Man-made steps quickly give way to a natural dirt path at the top of the hill. Looking back to the west provides a quick reward with an amazing view of Falmouth Harbour and it’s sailboats sitting atop gorgeous shades of turquoise! With it’s low growing scrub brush, cactus and a few scattered clumps of small trees here and there, the rocky landscape is somewhat reminiscent of the southwest USA. For the most part, this trail is a wide path of dirt and small stones – very comfortable to walk on. The ground is also littered with small pellets thanks to a number of shy goats wandering around all over the place. Hence the reason this Antigua hiking trail is also affectionately known as ‘the Goat Track’.
The path journeys on a wide ridge trail of sorts following the contour of the southern coastline with plenty of shallow ups and downs to make the hike interesting. There are remains of stone structures along the trail that were probably part of the original fortifications of the area. These, along with dramatic views of the Caribbean Sea makes this trail a great photo opportunity. Typical of exposed ridge trails, this hike is pretty much fully exposed to the hot tropical sun, while a constant breeze coming off the ocean helps cool things down a bit.
Eventually, nice aerial perspectives of Fort Berkeley come into view. The long and skinny 18th century stone fortification frames the natural land mass protecting the entrance to English Harbour. Across the water, Antigua’s famous coral and limestone rock formations known as the Pillars of Hercules, can be seen at the southern end of Freeman’s Bay.
In order to reach the fort, the trail takes you down a very steep, almost cliff-like section of the hill. Ropes are in place to support the descent and from there, it’s just a short walk to the stone wall that surrounds the point. The old fortification includes a guardhouse and old powder magazine as well as a couple of cannons in place along the wall. Before taking the same trail back, you can follow a short gravel road for a quick visit to Nelson’s Dockyard if you choose.
For a longer, more colourful review of this hike, check out our personal Antigua hiking experience with our Middle Ground Trail Hike Blog
Other Antigua Hiking Trails…
One of the most popular tourist sites in Antigua is an area overlooking Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour, known as Shirley Heights. There are a number of hiking trails that can take you to this area – Arguably, the best spot for picturesque views of Antigua. The easy/intermediate routes to ascend and descend this hilltop include:
Carpenters Rock Trail (from Galleon Beach) – An interesting hike past Fort Charlotte
Jones Valley Trail (From Freeman’s Bay) – A partial loop trail with some much appreciated shade
Lookout Trail (From Freeman’s Bay) – A short, but steep route to the top
Desmonds & Carpenters Trail Combo (From Galleon Beach) – A fun, slightly longer route to Shirley Heights
It’s also worth noting that from Shirley Heights, it’s another half mile (1km) walk up the road to the Blockhouse, a historical site for another vantage point with great views south of the island. Finally, on the coastal trail back to Freeman’s Bay, there’s also an optional short spur trail that leads to the Pillars of Hercules.
There are also some great Antigua hiking trails in/around the Wallings Nature Reserve. They include:
Button Pond – An easy nature trail that takes less than an hour
Wallings Dam to Signal Hill – An easy/intermediate trail with some interesting elevation change and great views of the island
Wallings Dam to Rendezvous Bay – An easy/intermediate hilly hike to a secluded lagoon beach that will take about 3 hours to complete
The challenging Rendezvous Bay to Claremont trail
There’s more Antigua hiking trails in/around Christian Valley including:
Christian Valley Bird Trail – There’s a North Loop (easy) and a South Loop (easy/intermediate) through the rainforest jungle
Christian Valley Waterfalls Trail – An easy hike that passes a small (seasonal) waterfall
Mount McNish Trail – An intermediate level hilly hike to a summit of close to 1,000 feet (300m) high, with great views of the island
Body Pond Valley Trail – An intermediate cross country route between a couple of local villages.
If you’re looking for some other adventures that will raise your pulse rate a bit, check the recommendations in our Antigua & Barbuda Adventure blog
If you’re looking to slow-it-down a bit, maybe take a tour of the island to see some attractions, check out our recommendations for Things To Do in Antigua & Barbuda blog
Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Caving, Amazing Nature and more…
A British Territory in the western Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are peaks of the massive underwater Cayman Ridge. The Cayman Islands are located south of Cuba, between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Jamaica.
There’s plenty of unique and interesting things to do in the Cayman Islands. Here’s a summary of some of our favourite attractions and activities on Grand Cayman Island.
Visit Stingray City
Not far from the northern shores of Grand Cayman there’s a shallow sandbar where friendly Southern Stingrays hang-out. It’s pretty amazing to stand in about 3 to 4 feet (1m) of water with these gentle creatures swimming around your legs. With help from a local stingray wrangler, you can also carefully hold and maybe even kiss one of the pre-historic animals. You won’t ever forget the feel of their soft velvety skin! There aren’t too many places in the world where you can enjoy this “once in a lifetime” experience – Take advantage of the opportunity when visiting Grand Cayman. Want to see what it’s really like? Check out our Grand Cayman Stingray City video on YouTube!
For more information, including a list of tour operators to get you out there, click on our Grand Cayman Ocean Excursions page
Play a Round of Golf
There’s few better ways to spend a relaxing yet fulfilling day in the Caribbean sun, than by getting on the links for a round of golf. There are two delightful courses on Grand Cayman – Both conveniently located near the island’s capital, George Town. The North Sound Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 71 championship golf course that plays to 6,605 yards and features spectacular views of the North Sound and the Caribbean Sea. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club offers a Greg Norman designed 9-hole, par 36 golf course that’s also set in an amazing tropical backdrop.
If you like to spend time at sea, you’re in for a real treat at Grand Cayman Island! Thanks to miles of coral reefs located just a few hundred feet from the island, there’s great opportunities for reef fishing and bottom fishing with plenty of Grouper, Snapper and Jacks to catch. You can also try Cayman Island fly-fishing, bone fishing and even fish for tarpon in Grand Cayman’s protected North Sound. If you’re looking for some of the best deep sea fishing in the Caribbean, look no further than the Cayman Trench – Located roughly 10 miles (18km) from the shores of Grand Cayman, this abyss reaches depths of 20,000 feet (6,000m)! If it’s big game fish you’re after, there’s plenty of Blue Marlin, Wahoo (kingfish), Mahi-Mahi (dolphin), Tuna and Barracuda to challenge your angling skills.
For more Cayman Islands fishing information, including a list of boat operators to get you out there, click on our Grand Cayman Fishing page
Enjoy a Day at Sea
For a more relaxing day at sea, sailing provides you with a view of Grand Cayman from a different perspective. See the North Sound and West coast from the sea to better appreciate it’s gorgeous aqua blue waters and beaches. Sit back and enjoy a quiet sailing cruise and if you’re feeling energetic, there is always warm waters at your back doorstep to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. If motor boats are more your speed, you can easily visit a number of the islands’s shoreline attractions in style. If you’re staying overnight in Grand Cayman, a ‘must see’ experience is to gently boat across the glowing blue waters of the bioluminescence bay. Finally, let’s not forget the opportunity to enjoy a romantic sunset, best enjoyed with an unobstructed view over the Caribbean sea!
Another unique Grand Cayman experience is to venture underground into a subterranean world full of history and intrigue. Explore limestone caves where eerie stalagmites, stalactites and limestone pillars will captivate you… and watch out for the occasional bat. There are literally hundreds of caves throughout the Cayman Islands – A couple of them on Grand Cayman are open to the public. Cayman Crystal Caves, consists of three caves located beneath a tropical forest on the north side of the Island. Meanwhile, on the south/west side of the island near Bodden Town, Pirates Cave is a kid friendly underground tourist attraction.
For more information on Cayman Islands caving, including a list of tour operators to get there, click on our Grand Cayman Caves page
Horseback Ride Along a Beach
Ever dreamed of riding along a beach in a tropical paradise? If so, make your dream a reality in Grand Cayman. The island’s uninhabited areas around Barker’s National Park provide an ideal location for riding quiet nature trails and un-populated shorelines. Bond with your well trained horse and wade into the sea for a refreshing dip. You can just ford through the calm and beautiful Caribbean Sea or perhaps try riding bareback while your horse actually swims in deeper water. Either way you’ll enjoy calming views of North Sound and Stingray City. There’s daytime rides, sunset rides and even opportunities to ride at night under a full moon!
For more information about equestrian stables offering guided horseback rides, check out our Grand Cayman Land Excursions page
Spend Some Time in Nature
Looking to slow the pace outside to appreciate Grand Cayman’s natural beauty? If so, you’ll enjoy the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, which features lovely gardens, a lake, a tea house with a wonderful view of natural habitat for birds and the famous Cayman Blue Iguana. If you’re looking to get a little more exercise while you’re getting some fresh air, guided tours are available in the Blue Iguana Nature Reserve’s mile-long forest trail, where you have the opportunity to view the large reptiles in their natural environment. There’s also Governor Gore’s Bird Sanctuary, which has a short boardwalk over a small pond where you can view birds and butterflies, as well as the fresh water Hickatee Turtle.
Then there’s the major ‘nature themed’ attraction on Grand Cayman – the Cayman Turtle Centre & Island Wildlife Encounter. Here you’ll enjoy a number of exhibits and attractions including a turtle breeding pond, a large tank with underwater viewing areas, an aviary (bird) centre, butterfly garden, nature trail and an area that even allows you to swim with the turtles!
There’s also Starfish Point and Rum Point, located on the north-eastern tip of North Sound – A couple of great places to relax away from the more touristy places on Grand Cayman.
For more information, including a list of tour operators to show you around the island, click on our Grand Cayman Land Excursions page
Finally, I’ll also mention the annual Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival – Participate in the Caribbean’s premier pirate festival and the Cayman Islands’ largest national event which includes parades, costume contests, scavenger hunts, street parties, boat races and more.
ACT Staff
If you’re looking for something more exciting, that will raise your pulse rate a bit, check out our Cayman Islands Adventure recommendations
For our overview of the beautiful and diverse islands that make up the Caymans, click on Cayman Islands Vacations
