Things to do in Grand Cayman

The popular big sister of the Cayman Island trio, Grand Cayman offers luxury resorts, clean beaches, clear blue waters and a myriad of island activities, from scuba diving with stingrays to a horseback riding beach tour. It is also a popular port stop for cruises. The expansive fine, white sand Seven Mile Beach attracts the majority of tourists to its pearly expanse of sand; it’s full of hotels and resorts, nightclubs, restaurants and island sports shops.

Another island attraction is the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm on Boatswain’s Beach, a non-profit that that raises sea turtles—14,000 of them. Almost half of each year’s hatchlings are released into the ocean while the rest are raised for local food, a Cayman Island delicacy. Stingray City is another popular attraction, where divers can swim with the docile creatures; glass bottom boat rides are also offered for non-divers.

Grand Cayman has several natural parks ideal for viewing exotic species: Cardinal D’s Park, near Seven Mile Beach, has more than 60 birds species; Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park offers a swampy tour to see orchids and bromeliads and a variety of animals from the Cayman parrot to the extremely rare Grand Cayman Blue Lizard. Aside from its natural attractions, Grand Cayman also offers extensive tax-free, offshore banking services.