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
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!
