Mastic Trail & Other National Trust Guided Tours

The National Trust of the Cayman Islands is a non-profit organisation which works to preserve and protect natural environments and places of historic significance in the Cayman Islands. In their efforts to raise public awareness of the need to preserve these places and creatures, they run a couple of guided walks:

Guided Mastic Trail Tours

The Mastic Reserve on Grand Cayman protects part of the largest contiguous area of untouched, old growth dry forest remaining on the island. This area and other similar expanses of forest in Cayman are of international significance representing some of the last remaining examples of the Caribbean's dry, subtropical, semi deciduous dry forest, which have been the target of particularly intense deforestation throughout the West Indies.

The Mastic Trail is 2.3 miles long and it should take approximately two and a half to three hours to walk it. We strongly recommend taking an informative guided tour with The National Trust who will bring the trail to life for you. The tour guides will be able to point out fascinating animal life that you otherwise might miss such as parrots, hermit crabs, reptiles and may bird species. The guides also have interesting anecdotes about the geological history, the trees, plants, orchids, birds and the various ecosystems, including the impact of Hurricane Ivan.

Top Tips

• The trail is fairly rugged and there are some wet sections, especially if it has rained recently, so we would recommend wearing trainers or walking shoes.
• Bring bug spray and plenty of drinking water.
• The trail is not suitable for children under eight or the elderly.

Tour

Guided hikes with a trained naturalist are available and need to be booked in advance. The tours is approximately 3.5 hours. Adults CI$52, children CI$30.

Not suitable for children under 8. Call (345) 749 1121 or click here for more information.

Blue Iguana Safari

A tour of the Blue Iguana Conservation’s captive breeding facility offers an up-close-and-personal view of the Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi), Grand Cayman’s largest native land animal. The tour introduces guests to some of the programme’s star breeders and shares the fascinating tale of how the programme began in 1990, with only 30 dedicated Blue Iguanas, under the direction of conservationist Fred Burton. Today, the breeding facility is home to approximately 100 Blue Iguanas of varying ages, many over five-feet long and in excess of 25 pounds.

• Self Guided Tours - Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, walk ins accepted 10am-2pm. CI$5 per person *Does not include entry to the Botanic Park. Entry to the Botanic Park is an additional charge.
• Guided Tours - Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, starting at 10.30am, 11.30am and 2pm only. CI$12 per adult, CI$6 per child *Does not include entry to the Botanic Park. Entry to the Botanic Park is an additional charge. No reservations required.

Call (345) 749-1121 or click here for more information.

Find out about more tours from The National Trust here.