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Top 10 things to do in Cayman

Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands has a wealth of exciting things to do with activities to suit all tastes. From water sports, cultural activities, animal encounters, underwater activities and some of the best beaches in the world, you will be spoilt for choice. Read on for information on the top 10 things to do in Grand Cayman.

1.Stingray City

The world famous Stingray City is an absolute “must-do” for any visitor to Cayman and is often described as the experience of a lifetime. Stingray City is home to approximately 90 Southern Stingrays that you can touch and swim with. These wild, gentle and graceful creatures roam free in the North Sound, a 35 square mile area of ocean protected by the reef. Even the most seasoned traveller will be enchanted by these beautiful animals.

2. Beaches

Beaches don’t get much better than Cayman Beaches. You’ll find miles of white powdery sand, crystal clear warm water, palm trees and a lovely tropical breeze. Although Seven Mile Beach is Cayman’s most famous beach there are plenty of other picturesque and interesting beaches to discover.

3. Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

Opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself in 1994, in partnership with the National Trust, this is Cayman’s only botanical garden. The 65-acre park is dedicated to preserving local flora, fauna and wildlife. It is home to the Blue Iguana Recovery programme, which is the only place in Grand Cayman where you will find these magnificent endangered creatures. Click this link to learn more: Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

4. Cayman Turtle Centre

Cayman's largest land-based attraction, Cayman Turtle Farm: Island Wildlife Encounter hosts more than 500,000 visitors each year. See turtles new hatchlings (when in season) right up to turtles weighing more than 500lb. Then head to the touch tanks and waddling pool for a more personal experience. This attraction also includes a lagoon with a waterslide, a Predator Reef for viewing reef and nurse sharks, a nature trail and more! Click here for more information: Cayman Turtle Centre

5. Meet the Locals

If you the type of traveller that likes to immerse yourself in local culture then there are several ways in which you can learn about the islands heritage, meet friendly locals and experience what life was like in the ‘good old days'.

  • Try local dishes such as Turtle Stew, Fish Rundown, Conch or Lobster. Try these delicious dishes at any of the local restaurants. Click here to learn more: Local Food
  • Hire a car and drive around the Island for a glimpse into local life. See families sitting in their porches ‘shooting the breeze’ and watching the comings and goings around them. Alternatively take an informative tour with Cayman Safari Adventures. Local guides will teach you about the history of the island as you venture into the heart of Cayman. Click here to learn more about tours: Cayman Safari Adventures 
  • Visit the Cayman Islands National Museum which is the Island’s oldest surviving public structure. The Museum’s mission is to celebrate the unique natural and cultural history of the Cayman Islands. Click here for more information: Cayman Islands National Museum 

6. Diving & Snorkelling

Grand Cayman offers as much entertainment below water as it does above water. Where you’re keen to become a certified diver, an expert diver looking for exciting sites to explore or prefer to stay on the surface with a mask and snorkel there is plenty to keep you entertained. 

  • World Class Diving in Cayman In Cayman you’ll find 365 different dive sites to explore including easily accessible wrecks, caves, shallow reefs plus more challenging deep walls. Cayman’s warm, clear waters also provide outstanding visibility and a vast array of marine life such as colourful tropical fish, stingrays, turtles, moray eels, lobsters and the occasional shark. Click here to learn more information on local dive operators: Diving in Cayman
  • Snorkelling in Grand Cayman Due to Cayman’s clear, calm waters snorkelling can be just as exciting as diving. There are plenty of great snorkelling sites to choose from where you can immerse yourself in an exotic landscape of coral and swim with schools of tropical fish. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a turtle or two! Click this link for more information: Snorkelling in Cayman 

7. Duty Free Shopping

Cayman is famous for its duty free shopping including: jewellery, watches, luxury brands, cameras gems, precious metals and more. Such items can therefore work out considerably cheaper to purchase in Cayman than in North America or Europe. The most extensive selection of stores can be found in downtown George Town, so make sure you take a trip to the capital of the Cayman Islands, where you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling harbour at the same time. You will also find a wealth of local goods that make great gifts for loved ones back home. Local products include rum cake, beer, paintings, crafts, jams and candy. Click here for details: Shopping in Cayman

8. Pedro St. James

Built in 1780 by a wealthy Englishman named William Eden and at a time when Grand Cayman was little more than a fishing village, the history of Pedro’s Castle is by far one of the more impressive stories to be told in the Cayman Islands. The Castle is often termed the “The Birthplace of Democracy in the Cayman Islands”. It was the venue for not only the decision in 1931 to form the Cayman Island’s first elected parliament but also to announce in 1835 that slavery had ended in the British Empire. Click this link for more details: Pedro St. James

9. Camana Bay 

Camana Bay is a favourite gathering place for residents and visitors alike. At its heart there is a bustling town centre that offers world-class shopping and dining plus family-friendly entertainment, events and attractions like the Island’s only cinema and a 75ft Observation Tower. Click here for more details: Camana Bay

10. Water Sports

There is a seemingly endless list of water sports to enjoy in Grand Cayman. From kayaking tours, paddle boarding and sailing trips to deep sea fishing, kiteboarding and parasailing there is something to suit everyone’s tastes. Click the link for details: Water sports in Cayman