Things to do

Wildlife Attractions like Parrots, Iguanas and Red Footed Boobies!

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. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are situated east and slightly north of Grand Cayman.

If you’re wondering how to get to these remote islands… Don’t worry, there are daily island hopper flights from Grand Cayman that can fly you over quickly and easily. Local Grand Cayman boat operators can also cover the 80 miles (130km) and the cruise is fun in itself.

There’s plenty of unique and interesting things to do in the Cayman Islands, and that includes the lesser visited ones as well as Grand Cayman. Let’s take a look at some of our favourite attractions and things to do when visiting Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

Things to Do in Cayman Brac

The first thing to know about Cayman Brac, affectionately known as ‘the brac’, is that the island is named for the 140 foot (43m) high bluff, or “brac” on the east end of the island. While not exactly daunting, it is the highest point of the Cayman Islands and provides some pretty spectacular views of the sea towards Cuba. The main attraction of the Brac is the National Trust Parrot Reserve. These protected lands are home to the remaining few hundred of endemic parrots that exist in the wild. There’s a mile long nature trail that loops through a corner of the reserve, allowing you to experience the area’s natural brush and forested habitat as well as mango trees, cactus and orchids. With any luck, you may even spot a parrot!

You’ll also find a couple of interesting low-key attractions on the island. Heritage House, a re-purposed old tannery, hosts cultural events and a local craft market. The Cayman Brac Museum features free exhibits showcasing the turtle trade, ship-building as well as the history of local hurricanes.

Things to Do on Little Cayman

If you’re looking for a quieter island than Cayman Brac, well Little Cayman, population 100 (there-abouts), will probably fit the bill 😉 One recommendation for something to do on the island is… Relax and do nothing – and by nothing we mean, meditate, read a book or go for some leisurely walks. When you’re ready for a little more excitement, you can hop on a bike and casually cycle around the island’s 8 mile (13km) loop stopping at wildlife viewing stations along the way.

The real attraction of the island is it’s relatively undisturbed nature. Little Cayman has gorgeous mangroves and lagoons, as well as salt ponds and tropical forests to explore. One area of interest is the Preston Bay Iguana Habitat. Here you can stroll along a boardwalk learning about what lives in the area from informational signs posted along the way. The real star of the show however, is Booby Pond Nature Reserve – A RAMSAR wetland, recognized by BirdLife International as an ‘Important Bird Area’! The 200 acre site is home to 10s of thousands of red-footed boobies along with frigates, herons, ducks, warblers, plovers, sandpipers and more. The Reserve has a visitor centre with an observation gallery equipped with some handy telescopes for examining the local flora and fauna.

If you’re looking for some fun and festivities, time your visit to coincide with the annual Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival. You can participate in the Caribbean’s premier pirate festival and the Cayman Islands’ largest national event which includes activities on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Events include parades, costume contests, scavenger hunts, street parties, boat races and more.

Have Fun!

ACT Staff

For more information on things to do in the Cayman Islands, including a list of tour operators to take care of you, click on our Things to Do in the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands Land Excursions, Cayman Islands Ocean Excursions and Cayman Islands Festivals & Events pages

If you’re looking for something else to do on the islands, that will raise your pulse rate a bit higher, check out our Cayman Brac & Little Cayman Adventure recommendations blog

For our overview of the beautiful and diverse islands that make up the Caymans, click on our Cayman Islands Vacations page

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Caving and enjoying Nature!

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.

For more information, check out our Golf Grand Cayman page

Go Fishing

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!

For more information, including a list of boat operators to get you on the water, click on our Grand Cayman Sailing and/or Grand Cayman Ocean Excursions pages

Venture Into a Cave

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

Things to do in Grand Cayman include Stingray City, Golf, Fishing, Sailing, Horesback Riding and enjoying Nature!

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

Enjoy!

Tag: Things to do

Things to do on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman