What are the best places to visit in Cayman Islands?

The Cayman Islands are 3 islands located off the coast of Cuba. The islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory. So, this means that travelling to these islands is easy visa-wise, especially if you are a European.

Boasting lush jungles, beaches, picturesque islands and species-rich coral reefs, the Cayman Islands is a wonderful destination for your next vacation. On top of that, the Cayman Islands are famous for their wonderful dive sites. There are over 300 dive sites on the islands! Amazing, isn’t it?

But what to see in the Cayman Islands? Check out our Cayman Islands travel guide for some inspiration!

Here are a few of the best things to do in the Cayman Islands.

7 Best Places to Visit in Cayman Islands

Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach is a long beach on the western part of Grand Cayman.

Awarded “The Caribbean’s Best Beach”, it is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Cayman Islands, and one of the best things to do in Grand Cayman. It is also the most visited and most developed area of Grand Cayman Island. It is where most luxury resorts and hotels are located. The beach is also one of the best places to stay on Grand Cayman.

Even though there’s a lot of luxury accommodation on the beach, the beach is not private. You are allowed to walk the full length of the beach! Despite the name, the beach is only 6 miles (9.7 km) long.

The beach has plenty of restaurants and bars. There are small reefs located off the shore, perfect for snorkelling. At the end of the beach, there’s the capital city of the Cayman Islands, George Town. George Town is also where Owen Roberts International Airport is located. It’s the country’s main airport.

Bloody Bay Marine Reserve

Bloody Bay Marine Reserve is one of the best attractions in Cayman Islands.

The marine reserve is located in Little Cayman which is famous for its scuba diving. Bloody Bay Marine Reserve is considered one of the world’s top diving destinations. Located at the southeast tip of the island, the reserve offers a number of dive sites, including coral-covered underwater walls and a large shipwreck.

Divers can spot sea sponges clinging to reef walls, tons of colourful tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, lobsters, barracudas and reef sharks.

Stingray City

In the Cayman Islands, it’s possible to swim with stingrays.

Head to Stingray City on Grand Cayman to swim and interact with stingrays. Stingray City is a  shallow sandbar where stingrays are abundant. Water in Stingray City is only chest-high. So, it’s easy to spot and interact with the stingrays. The guides put bait in the water to attract the animals.

One part of the sandbar is deeper, and that’s where you can dive with stingrays. 

Bioluminescent Bay

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism such as plankton. It’s a chemical reaction which happens in an organism’s body. This biological terminology is indeed very boring, but the actual natural phenomenon is jaw-dropping. 

This phenomenon is visible during the night when the sea lights up just like the sky — with thousands, even millions, of little stars. Bioluminescence can be witnessed only in several places in the world, and one of them is located in the Cayman Islands. In Grand Cayman, to be exact. 

The place where you can witness bioluminescence in Grand Cayman is called the Bioluminescent Bay, and it is located on the North Side of the island (near Cayman Kai Beach and Rum Point Beach).

Starfish Point & Rum Point

Starfish Point and Rum Point are among the best beaches in the Cayman Islands.

Located on the north side of Grand Cayman, Rum Point is a lively and picturesque beach. The beach is famous for its vibes, white sand and shallow, calm and clear waters perfect for swimming. It’s great for kids, too.

Starfish Point, as the name suggests, has a lot of starfish. The water there is very shallow, and the starfish can be easily spotted lying on a sandy seabed.

Crystal Caves

Located inside a lush tropical forest in Grand Cayman, Crystal Caves are among the most interesting Cayman Island activities. It is a group of caverns that were discovered quite recently — in the 1990s. They were opened to the public in 2016, and are often called the “newest nature tourist attraction in Cayman Islands”.

The caves are known for their spectacular stalactite and stalagmite crystal structures and other unique formations. Below the ceilings of stalactites, you’ll see pools of beautiful, crystal-clear water.

Join a tour to explore a number of caves and the surrounding tropical forest.

Crystal Caves are among the best places to visit in Cayman Islands.

Owen Island

Owen Island is a tiny island located just a few hundred metres off Little Cayman coast.

Being low-key, Owen Island attracts people who want to relax and unwind in a quiet and peaceful setting. The water is calm and offers amazing visibility. In the waters around the island, you can spot countless tropical fish and sea turtles.

As it is located so close to Little Cayman, people can get to this tiny island by kayak. The waters between the two islands are calm, so you don’t have to worry about strong waves and currents. 

Owen Island is one of the best Cayman Islands attractions.

Cayman Islands Travel Tips

1. The Cayman Islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory. This means that Europeans (and many other nations) don’t need a visa to travel to the Cayman Islands.
2. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is during the winter and spring. The weather is nice, and there’s no rain. The same stands true for Grand Cayman — the best time to visit Grand Cayman is during the winter and spring.
3. It is best to avoid the hurricane season which runs from June 1 through November 30. The peak, however, is from August through October.
4. How to travel between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman? There are flights between the islands several times a day.
5. Renting a car (or a scooter) is the best way to explore Grand Cayman. Public transportation is also available, but it’s not great.
6. You can get around Little Cayman on a scooter. Actually, it’s the best way to explore this island. Little Cayman is very small, and the roads are flat and straight. Bicycling is another great way of exploring the island.