The Caymans is one of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling and scuba diving destinations as well as offering newlyweds unspoiled white-sand beaches, fine dining restaurants and excellent resorts – just perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
A British Crown Colony since 1670, the Cayman Islands comprise three islands – Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Together they form the tip of a vast underwater mountain range that peeks above the surrounding waters – the highest point in the Caymans is just 18.2m above sea level.
Grand Cayman offers an expansive palm-fringed shoreline indented with sheltered bays, hidden coves and long uninterrupted stretches of powder-white beaches that lie within reef-protected lagoons.
Dip your toes into the soft sand of Seven Mile Beach facing the turquoise waters of West Bay, where a huge array of water sports are just a short stroll from several 5-star resorts.
See endangered green sea turtles being raised at the Boatswain’s Beach marine conservation park, complete with a snorkelling lagoon and free-flight aviary.
Snorkel or dive the gin-clear waters at Stingray City where you can feed and pet a school of ‘friendly’ stingrays or avoid getting wet by taking a semi-submersible cruise to shallow offshore reefs to see colourful reef fish.
Hook up a charter and engage in some deep-water trolling for blue marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi and tuna, or cast for bonefish in shallow coastal waters.
On land, visit Pedro St James Castle, an 18th century plantation house and the oldest stone building on the island, ponder the remains of an old fort in nearby Bodden Town then watch impressive 7m-high geysers erupt from coastal blowholes just east of town.
Hike through an ancient subtropical forest on the 3.2km-long Mastic Trail linking Frank Sound to Old Man Bay.
Look out for the endangered Cayman blue iguana in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, a 26ha garden boasting a profusion of cacti, shrubs and native flowers.
Stroll harbourfront streets lined with colourful traditional buildings and learn about the islands’ history at the National Museum in George Town, the islands' capital.
Later, enjoy a beer or cocktails in one of the beach bars along Seven Mile Beach or at Rum Point. After dinner, party the night away at one of many local nightclubs.
Escape the crowds by visiting Little Cayman, a 16km-long paradise of pristine wetlands, secluded powder-soft white-sand beaches, ideal fly and deep-water fishing and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world.
The reefs and underwater cliffs that encircle Little Cayman are home to more than 500 species of fish and 150 different types of coral.
Look out for Christmas tree worms, sea cucumbers, horse-eye jacks, triggerfish, hawksbill turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, barracudas, groupers and sharks.
Head to the Jackson Marine Park and the famous dive site of Bloody Bay Wall, where you can dive a 1.8km descent past sheer vertical walls covered with corals and sponges and teeming with rainbow-hued reef fish.
Birdwatchers should visit the National Trust Booby Pond Nature Reserve to spot more than 20,000 red-footed boobies, the world's largest colony.
On equally secluded Cayman Brac, discover more excellent dive sites, good fishing, pristine white-sand beaches and friendly residents.
Hike the ‘brac', a 42m-high limestone bluff that bisects the 19km-long island and covers much of the eastern end. The bluff offers several hiking trails leading to quiet beaches and offering panoramic sea views.
Along the way, look out for the elusive Cayman Brac parrot and explore some of the more than 170 caves that honeycomb the heights; try to spot fruit bats clinging to the caverns’ ceilings.
Choose from around 50 prime dive sites, including the wreck of Captain Keith Tibbetts, a former Russian frigate that now sits 180m offshore in 34m of water; the stern is just 17m below the surface and the wreck teems with colourful reef fish.
Anglers can cast for bonefish or hook up a deep-sea charter for wahoo, sailfish, marlin, tuna, grouper and snapper.
While bustling Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean, the islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac offer honeymoon couples a variety of secluded and quiet alternatives.
It's worth noting that every beach in the Caymans is open to the public.
(Grand Cayman) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe on the soft powder-white sands of this gorgeous 9km-long beach that fringes the west coast of Grand Cayman Island.
Edged by shady palms, casuarinas and pine trees, Seven Mile Beach is lapped by calm, crystal clear turquoise waters that offer ideal conditions for swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling.
Also known as West Bay Beach, Seven Mile Beach is generally rated as one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. Facilities including umbrellas, sun loungers and a wide range water sports equipment for hire.
A varied selection of upmarket resorts, beach bars, restaurants and shops stretch along the beachfront, which widens and narrows with the seasons.
For the best snorkelling on the beach, head to Cemetery Reef at the beach's northern end, where you can also find a dedicated public section with toilets, showers, a children’s playground, a volleyball court and two beach bars.
Seven Mile Beach starts just north of George Town, around 7km northwest of the airport, and contiues to Long Point.
Read more about Seven Mile Beach…
(Grand Cayman) – Dip your toes into the pristine white sand of this palm-fringed shoreline that offers as many facilities as Seven Mile Beach, but without the crowds.
The beaches here stretch for more than 10km along the northwest coast of North Sound, centred around Rum Point.
It’s easy to find a secluded spot to sunbathe beneath bush-clad sand dunes, or choose to be active with a swim and snorkel in the beach’s calm, crystalline waters that teem with rainbow-hued fish.
Mix with locals and other holidaymakers at one of the many beachfront restaurants and bars that lie scattered around the sheltered shoreline.
If this quiet spot gets too crowded for your liking, drive southeast along Rum Point Drive to find a secluded spot on an unbroken stretch of white sand that fringes the northern coast of Grand Cayman.
Cayman Kai spreads over a 161ha peninsula on the north coast, around 40km north of George Town.
(Grand Cayman) – At famous Rum Point Beach you can relax in a hammock slung between towering casuarina trees, enjoy a picnic or feast at the famous Wreck Bar and Grill while enjoying views of Cuba.
You can also choose to try several other restaurants including the Rum Point Club, Kaibo Bar and Grill or Over the Edge Bar and Restaurant.
Facilities include toilets, changing rooms and showers.
The Red Sail Sports Centre at Rum Point offers an array of water sports equipment for hire including boats, which you can use to discover the unspoiled white-sand beach of nearby Water Cay or explore the gin-clear waters of nearby Stingray City.
(Grand Cayman) – Unwind on the soft white sands of this small and secluded beach that shelves into the crystal clear waters of a reef-protected cove framed by low limestone outcrops.
Snorkel above coral heads teeming with colourful reef fish, picnic beneath shady casuarina trees and admire a magical sunset on this quiet alternative to Seven Mile Beach.
Facilities include changing rooms and toilets. Smith's Cove is located on the west coast, south of George Town between Coconut Harbour and Cayman Coves.
(Little Cayman) – Relax on one of the best beaches on Little Cayman, an idyllic strip of pink-hued white sand stretching for more than 2km around the south-eastern tip of the island.
Come for a day with a picnic and go beachcombing, sunbathing and swimming. This quiet unspoiled beach is also ideal for snorkelling as it has offshore coral gardens.
(Little Cayman) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe, swim and snorkel on this idyllic 4.4ha island that nestles in the calm turquoise waters of the reef-protected lagoon of South Hole Sound.
Encircled with soft white sands, Owen Island is ideal for a Robinson Crusoe-style experience – swim over to the island, hire someone to row you across or paddle a kayak across the calm waters; just remember to pack a picnic.
Owen Island sits just 180m off South Town on the southwest coast of Little Cayman, where you can relax in comfort at the Little Cayman Beach Resort or unwind in luxury at the elegant Club at Little Cayman facing South Hole Sound.
(Cayman Brac) – Unwind on a series of unspoiled and virtually deserted white-sand beaches that stretch along the southwest coast of Cayman Brac.
Pack a picnic and unwind in peace and quiet. Come for a day or stay longer at the Brac Reef Beach Resort, the Southern Star or the Brac Caribbean Beach Resort.
The Cayman Islands offers some of the best snorkelling, scuba diving and sports fishing in the Caribbean. Land-based activities include tennis, golf, horseback riding and hiking on Cayman Brac.
The Cayman Islands form the tip of a vast underwater mountain range that peeks above the surrounding waters – the highest point in the Caymans is just 18.2m above sea level – providing a rich and exciting environment for underwater activities.
Snorkelling – Snorkel above coral gardens teeming with rainbow-hued fish right off the beach, or sign up for an excursion.
Some of the best snorkelling sites on Grand Cayman include: the coral gardens just off Seven Mile Beach near the Marriott and Westin resorts, as well as adjacent Cemetery Reef; the Devil's Grotto, a series of tunnels that start in 3m of water just south of Eden Rock; and the wreck of the Cali, sitting in 6m of water just a short swim from George Town.
On Cayman Brac, head to the wreck of the Captain Keith Tibbett, a highly revered diving site. On Little Cayman, check out Jackson Point, a shallow snorkelling spot on world-famous Bloody Bay Wall.
Scuba diving – The Cayman Islands is perhaps the single most popular spot for scuba diving in the Caribbean, with more than 200 named and explored sites catering for divers of all abilities.
Some of the best and most popular sites on Grand Cayman include…
• Stingray City, near Rum Point, where you can freely swim among more than 30 Southern Atlantic stingrays in 3m of water;
• Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto, two 14m-deep reefs located close to shore, featuring caves, grottos, a mini wall and tunnels swarming with colourful fish, sea fans and sponges;
• The Maze, a honeycomb of deep, narrow coral ravines covered with sponges and soft corals and teeming with reef sharks, green turtles and spotted eagle rays;
• Snapper Hole features chutes, tunnels and caverns at a depth of 20m, southeast of Morritt's Tortuga Club;
• Tarpon Alley is named after the vast schools of tarpon that feed in the drop-offs and canyons.
On Cayman Brac, dive the wreck of the Captain Keith Tibbetts, one of the most famous wreck dives in the Caribbean. The wreck is home to beautiful yellow tube sponges, among other coral species, as well as tropical marine life including barracudas, green moray eels, big groupers and scorpion fish.
On Little Cayman, check out Bloody Bay Marine Park, rated as the most sensational wall dive in the Caribbean. The site encompasses 22 dive sites that teem with grouper, horse-eye jacks, triggerfish and several other tropical fish species.
There are approximately 40 dive centres operating in Grand Cayman, five in Little Cayman, three in Cayman Brac and two live-aboard dive boats – the Cayman Aggressor III and Little Cayman Diver II.
All offer complete dive facilities including Nitrox and Re-breather courses and equipment rental.
Read more about diving Little Cayman island…
Submarine diving – Take an underwater tour without getting wet. See shallow reefs, wrecks and marine life just metres beneath the surface in a semi-submarine or dive to depths of 30m in a fully submersible craft for visually rewarding experiences.
Windsurfing – The best windsurfing is in the reef-protected shallows off East End, with winds reaching 12 to 20 knots from November through March and 6 to 10 knots between May and November.
Hire whatever gear you need from Cayman Windsurfing at Morritt's Tortuga Club or sign up for some lessons.
Fishing – Hook up a charter for barracuda, bonito, tuna, wahoo or marlin. Bonefish the shallows or bottom-fish the reef for grouper and snapper. Most hotels can make arrangements for charter boats.
Horseback riding – Saddle up for an inland trail ride as well as beach rides around Seven Mile Beach.
Tennis – Choose from nine courts at the Cayman Islands Tennis Club, should your hotel’s courts be busy.
Golf – Tee-off at the Britannia Golf Club, a nine-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed course located opposite the Hyatt Regency on West Bay Road. Or try the par-71, 18-hole Links at SafeHaven, a Roy Case-designed course at Seven Mile Beach Road, opposite the Westin Casuarina.
Events – Celebrate Mardi Gras in May at the Grand Cayman’s Batabano Carnival.
Or come in late October for Pirates Week, where visitors and locals dress up as pirates and wenches, enjoying a carnival-like celebration including music, dance, fireworks and parades that take place island-wide.
In April, anglers win big prizes at the Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament.
Whichever island you choose, the Caymans offer an excellent choice of honeymoon accommodation options, including the following resorts…
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Location: Seven Mile Beach
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD650 per room
Description: Experience world-class service at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. This beachfront resort is just 3 km from George Town. It has guest rooms with free WiFi, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a spa and wellness centre and on-site shops for guests to enjoy. Among the amenities this AAA Five Diamond Award winner offers are a restaurant, a bar and a snack bar, a hot tub and concierge services. Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton are air-conditioned and feature terraces, a work desk, a seating area and a private bathroom with free toiletries. Owen Roberts International Airport is just 10 minutes’ drive away.
Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
Location: Seven Mile Beach
Rating: 4.5-star
Prices: from AUD447 per room
Description: This luxury Grand Cayman hotel offers on-site restaurants and an oceanfront pool. Warmly decorated rooms offer a flat-screen TV and scenic views from the private balcony. Guest rooms at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort feature relaxing beach house feel and décor and include a coffee maker and refrigerator. Bathrobes and slippers are provided in the marble bathrooms. On-site dining options include Veranda on Seven Mile Beach and the Anchor & Den in the Great Room serving international cuisine for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is available at the Den with a Juice Bar and Creperie. For poolside drinks, guests can pass by the Vista Bar. Guests of the Marriott Grand Cayman can relax with a massage at the full-service La Mer Spa located on site. This hotel is 1 km from The Links at Safehaven Golf Course. The Owen Roberts International Airport is around a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
Grand Cayman Beach Suites
Location: Seven Mile Beach
Rating: 4.5-star
Prices: from AUD385 per room
Description: This all-suite beach resort is situated on Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands. It boasts an 18-hole golf course, European spa and luxury suites with private balconies and Caribbean Sea views. A 37-inch flat-screen TV and iPod docking station are featured in every suite. A separate living room and pantry area is standard. Each suite at Grand Cayman Beach Suites features tropical décor. Guests can relax in the 2 outdoor pools and sundecks, surrounded by tropical vegetation. Beach Grand Cayman’s modern fitness center is open 24 hours. On-site dining includes beach side service at Hemingway's, Brittania Grille and Seven Mile Beach Bar. Cocktails are offered at the hotel's 3 bars, including Side Bar, a contemporary lounge. Flag Ship store is located on site and sells Red Sail Sports snorkel and dive gear. La Mer Spa offers a variety of treatments. Cayman Islands National Museum is 1.8 km from this resort. The Cayman Island Turtle Farm is 10 minutes’ drive away.
Turtle Nest Inn
Location: Grand Cayman
Prices: from AUD185 per room
Description: Located on its own sandy beach, only ten miles from George Town and the airport, the Turtle Nest Inn is located away from the tourist crowds in a genuine island setting. Turtle Nest Inn & Condos offers a choice of apartments: A one-bedroom beachfront apartment overlooks the beach, pool and Caribbean Sea, and comes with full kitchen, queen or king bed in the bedroom, double sofa-bed in the living room, balcony (or patio) off the bedroom & living room. Facilities include a central A/C, 95-channel HDTV (plus 40 music channels), DVD/VHS/CD-player, AM/FM clock radio, ceiling fans, phone, high-speed WiFi access (free of charge), ceramic tile throughout. Turtle Nest Inn offers superb snorkelling, two fresh water pools, sandy beach and fully-furnished apartments and condos.
Southern Cross Club
Location: Little Cayman
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD510 per room
Description: The only resort on Little Cayman built entirely on a beautiful white sand beach. Choose from 14 charming and original beach cottages that front a 275 metre pink- and white-sand beach. Seven of the cottages feature a private outdoor shower overlooking the sound. The Honeymoon Suite sits privately on the eastern edge of Southern Cross Club’s property, and features a private outdoor shower overlooking the colorful lagoon. The Southern Cross Club offers a healthy menu that features an eclectic blend of international and Caribbean cuisine. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style. Dinner is usually an a la carte menu, often featuring local fresh caught fish including tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo. Guests can dine in our air-conditioned dinning room, on our screened outdoor dinning pavilion, on the pool deck, or on the beach under that bright Caribbean Moon. Loggerhead Bar also offers a bar menu.. Southern Cross Club celebrates 50 years of welcoming discerning world travelers looking for the best in hospitality, diving, dining, fishing and world-class relaxing.
Little Cayman Beach Resort
Location: Little Cayman
Rating: 4.5-star
Prices: from AUD728 per room
Description: Little Cayman Beach Resort offers 40 air-conditioned, spacious rooms surrounded by lush tropical foliage and feature furnishings inspired by tropical colors and textures, Caribbean themed artwork and newly decorated bathrooms, fixtures and flooring. Oceanfront rooms overlook turquoise water and reef, and pool-view rooms share access to the cozy lounge areas around the resort. Rooms feature two doubles or one king size bed, individually controlled air conditioning and ceiling fan, flat screen television, DVD players and alarm clock, refrigerator, coffee-maker complete with Wolfgang Puck brand coffee, private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and deluxe bath amenity package, room safe and free Wifi. Dinning caters for a variety of international and Caribbean-inspired gourmet cuisine. Choose to dine in the air-conditioned dining room, screened lanai or al fresco on the patio. The resort provides a spa and tour and watersport activities.
The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is from late-December through to mid-April when the temperature averages a balmy 26°C (79°F).
With a pleasant year-round temperature and continuous bright sunshine, the Cayman Islands are considered a year-round holiday destination.
The Cayman Islands experience a hot, tropical and humid climate year-round, with a dry and relatively cool season from late-November to mid-April, when the northeast trade winds blow, and a muggy, rainy season from May to early-November.
More information about Cayman Islands weather…
The Cayman Islands lie in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea and are located about 800km (500mi) south of Miami, 300km (180mi) south of Cuba, and 315km (195mi) northwest of Jamaica.
The most convenient way of getting to the Cayman Islands is to fly into Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM), the island group's main international airport, which is located on Grand Cayman.
At 36km (22mi) long and 13km (8mi) wide, Grand Cayman is the largest and most populated island of the three low-lying islands that make up this British Crown Colony.
Little Cayman and Cayman Brac lie around 130km (80mi) northeast of Grand Cayman and are separated from each other by a 90km-wide channel.
The Cayman Trough between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica is the deepest part of the Caribbean.
Grand Cayman receives daily non-stop flights from North America and other Caribbean islands.
By sea, Grand Cayman is also one of the most popular Caribbean ports of call for international cruise lines operating from North America, Mexico and Europe.
More information about How to get to the Cayman Islands…
Relatively light traffic, flat terrain and gorgeous sea views make cycling a pleasure in the Caymans. Hire cars, taxis and buses are all available.
By Caribbean standards, the road system throughout the Caymans is good – just beware of potholes on smaller roads. Everywhere is accessible by car. Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road.
The Caymans feature a blend of American and British road configurations, including centre turning lanes, three- and four-way stops plus roundabouts, which means you have to pay attention at all times.
Enforced speed limits are generally 40-48kph (25-30mph) in built-up areas, 64kph (40mph) outside these, and 80kph (50mph) on Grand Cayman in rural areas east of Bodden Town.
Cayman Airways Express (www.caymanairways.com) and charter company, Island Air (www.islandair.ky), operate frequent flights between each island.
More information about How to get around the Cayman Islands…
Latest update: Cayman Islands honeymoon guide: 2 July, 2022
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