What to see and do
The undisputed No. 1 attraction is Seven Mile Beach, a stunning stretch of sandy shore synonymous with warm, turquoise waters, gentle waves and a wealth of water sports. Some spots are more crowded than others, especially when cruise ships are in port, but with roughly 5.5 miles of alluring coastline, this deceptively named beach has enough room for everybody.
If you prefer not to rub elbows with more tourists than sea life, check the Cayman port ship schedule before booking an excursion to Stingray City, Cayman Turtle Center, Starfish Beach and Coral Garden. Because cruisers aren't afforded an evening on the island, they miss out on such nighttime activities as a bioluminescent tour off Rum Point. An hourlong drive from George Town is rewarded with a memorable trip by kayak or electric catamaran if going with Cayman Kayaks (caymankayaks.com). Show-and-tell presentations on astronomy and jellyfish are cool, but Cayman Kayaks' naturalists are mindful of why we're paying $70 per person for a 90-minute tour: the millions of single-celled plankton called dinoflagellates that give off light when disturbed in the water at night. This phenomenon occurs at a few places around the world, including at rare times from L.A. to Baja California, but Grand Cayman is recognized as a prime place for this illuminating experience.
Speaking of bests, for lifestyle shopping on Grand Cayman, it's Camana Bay and its 65-plus boutiques, restaurants and bars, fitness and wellness options, seven-screen cinema, 75-foot observation tower and familyfriendly environs. For flora and fauna, it's the 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (botanic-park.ky).
The impressive Cayman Islands National Museum (museum.ky), built in the 1830s, is housed in the territory's oldest surviving public building — a must-see to truly appreciate the local culture, people and history. Also worth a visit: Pedro St. James (pedrostjames.ky), site of the oldest existing stone building in Cayman and a three-story great house restored to its 18th century grandeur; the National Gallery (nationalgallery.org. ky), with impressive and provocative pieces; and a new gallery in The Grove featuring the eclectic work of Honduran artist Carlos V. Garcia.
Where to stay
Seven Mile Beach is the hub of Grand Cayman's most luxurious resorts. The beachfront Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman (ritzcarlton.com) is recently renovated and gorgeous inside and out. Sophisticated where it needs to be, casual where it should be, the Forbes Travel Guide five-star property is exquisite.
Notable features include a nine-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, pickleball courts, a children's water park, art walk spotlighting local talent, and a nightly rum, cigar and cacao pairing experience.
Hotel-meets-Airbnb is a fitting way to describe the 14 quasi-new luxury cottages at Botanica (botanica-cayman.com). Officially opened a year ago after the COVID-19 pause, the family-owned property is going for a vibe that embodies the slow-paced gentleness of Cayman life and scoffs at what the owners call “chain-manufactured escapism.” Seven Mile Beach is a five-minute walk away.
Where to eat
The only thing negative about Grand Cayman's food scene is that most island visitors never experience it. When cruise food is prepaid, it's understandable if they decide to go back to the ship hungry. Noncruisers, however, are in for some of the finest fine dining in the Caribbean.
Among the grandest restaurants in Grand Cayman is Calypso Grill (calypsogrillcayman.com), Chef George Fowler's dockside treasure serves up sublime, French-influenced ceviche, mahimahi and warm, sticky toffee pudding.
Also recommended: Cimboco (cimboco. com), a local gem with an exciting menu of indigenous dishes topped by the Instagramworthy banana leaf roasted snapper; Agua (agua.ky), an Italian-Peruvian eatery at Camana Bay; and Taikun, an upscale sushi house within the six-restaurant Ritz-Carlton that delights guests with such surprises as table-grated wasabi and a Bonsai Tree dessert that's almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
When to go
While packed cruise ships come and go year-round, Cayman's hotels are busiest from late November to mid-April, when the climate is dry and relatively cool. At the Ritz-Carlton, for example, occupancy hovered around 30% during this writer's tranquil stay in mid-October, but starting with Thanksgiving weekend the resort is expected to be near capacity for the first full peak season since the pandemic eased.
As with nearly all vacation destinations, the best hotel rates are found during the shoulder season, which in Cayman is May through August. That's also when the threat of storms is minimal, so go figure. Rooms offseason start at around $480 (including resort fee) at the Kimpton Seafire, for example. A garden view unit at the RitzCarlton can range from the $600s offseason to nearly $1,800 at peak times. A onebedroom deluxe cottage at Botanica ranges from $330 a night to $1,100 depending on the season.
Less fluctuation is found in the air. Nonstop round trips to and from LAX on Cayman Airways' new fleet of B737-8s are currently selling for as low as $506 plus taxes and fees. The airline also extends Caymankind to adults with rum punch made with Grand Cayman's own Seven Fathoms. Toasting to the start of a great Caribbean vacation or a safe trip home with free-flowing local rum — it's the only way to fly.