Once you pay a visit to Grand Cayman, you are likely to plan many return trips. This is because it is an ideal spot for a tropical retreat. Flawless beaches, loads of premium accommodations, many amazing restaurants and bars, and so much to see and do that you could vacation here for many years without running out of adventures and activities.
Just consider the diving alone. This is something that brings enthusiasts from all around the globe, eager to experience the Cayman Trench for themselves. Many also take a helicopter flight above it just to see it from an entirely different perspective. However, there are a few “must-do” activities for anyone visiting, and we’ve outlined three of them below.
Seven Mile Beach Getaway
The beaches of Grand Cayman are legendary for the beauty and even for their amenities. But if you want to just take a shortcut to the finest of them all, a trip to the award-winning Seven Mile Beach is the right choice. As an official visitor’s website explains: “Named one of the Ultimate Beaches in the region by Caribbean Travel + Life, the 4th Best Beach in the Caribbean by Trip Advisor, and the 12th of the best beaches in the world by MSN, Seven Mile Beach is among the many reasons why Cayman is considered the ultimate destination.”
And while that might prove enough for most reading this to make sure to pay a visit, we want to ensure you get the most out of a day or two, or three, at this stunning, white sand location.
It is on the western side of the island and is as popular with world travelers as with locals. It is the setting for some of the island’s most opulent private homes, and yet it is entirely open to the public, ensuring that anyone can enjoy time along its sands.
Many people make a point of just walking the miles of waterfront and paying a visit to one of the scores of restaurants that claim a bit of real estate in this coveted area. There are also lots of beach bars and luxury resorts with dining and drinking options. But, you don’t want to spend your entire time away from the sands and flawless waters. Instead, you will want to consider a Seven Mile Beach getaway that you plan yourself, with the help of a concierge, or as part of a guided tour.
After all, there are many dive shops and you could book time at Seven Mile Beach with a scuba adventure thrown into the mix. Additionally, you might want to consider a guided tour. For example, a traditional Seven Mile Beach Getaway will last around four hours and include a visit to different areas of the beach, time spent on a jet ski (or kayak or paddleboard) in the perfect waters, and perhaps a bit of time below the waves enjoying snorkeling. A guided tour usually also brings visitors to some of the premium areas where beach service (food and drinks) are available.
Because the tours include transportation, you won’t have to rent a car or hire a driver, and all of the gear needed will be available as you arrive at your specific area of the beach. Some even book a tour that includes the beach along with a rum and beer tour.
Rum and Beer Tour
This is a great choice for the food and beverage fans visiting Grand Cayman. This is because rum production began in the Caribbean region, and all of the islands have historic facilities that have been producing the beverage for centuries. There are also several major breweries and distilleries on the islands, including makers of beers and spirits.
There is a huge array of tours that will usually include the island’s sole rum distillery, the Cayman Spirits Company. This is best enjoyed with a professional guide and you definitely want to choose a tour that features a tasting at some point. Why? There are noticeable differences between the different options and a sip of the famous golden rum produced on Grand Cayman may make you a life-long advocate.
You can sip all of the options, including the reserve options, and make a purchase of iconic spirits to take home and enjoy or give as the ultimate gift.
The island has a single brewery, and you get another chance to learn more about the island’s main beers, give them each a taste and purchase a few to bring or ship home.
And after a day spent sipping the delicious beverages produced on the island, it is time to think about some more active excursions, and Grand Cayman has one of the most unique options imaginable.
Cayman Cristal Caves
As one expert indicated, this is a “brand new attraction on Grand Cayman,” and set on the North Side. It has been, astonishingly, privately owned for decades and this is why the caves are so pristine and preserved. Underground and water-filled, they offer guests a view of natural wonder. The caves are full of stalactites and stalagmites showing off an array of different hues and colors. Some areas are dry with openings to the canopy of woodlands above and is something totally unexpected in a place of tropical beauty and outdoor activities.
Visitors must take a guided tour, and will soon appreciate all of the details they learn about the local flora and fauna, the formation of the cafes, and the different environments that they contain! There is a souvenir and gift shop on the premises as well as a popular spot for a quick snack and drink.
NOTE: Many visitors are surprised at the rapid change in temperature and it is a good idea to bring a sweatshirt as you head below and into the cool shade and darkness of the caves.
And you also want to pay a visit to the Cayman Turtle Center, Camana Bay, Starfish Point, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, and the amazing Mastic Trail to ensure you’ve done some of the most iconic things that Grand Cayman offers.