Things to do living in Grand Cayman

When you live on Grand Cayman, the things to do on the island go beyond sun soaked beach days. Adventure awaits; from adrenaline filled watersports to mouth-watering culinary festivals here are 10 fun things to do.

1. Have a designated beach day
When living in Grand Cayman it’s important to include a designated beach day in your island lifestyle schedule. Whether it’s an adventure filled day kite-surfing off Barker’s National Park, or scuba diving along the depths of the North Wall, adrenaline-fuelled watersports are aplenty in the Cayman Islands. Of course, if laidback beach days are more your speed, kayaking, paddle boarding or simply floating along Seven Mile Beach are all relaxing ways to enjoy the beautiful Grand Cayman waters.

2. Visit Camana Bay
As it celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the 650-acre multi-use Town Centre has become a staple in the Grand Cayman community. As a place to work, dine, and play, Camana Bay is home to myriad business establishments, diverse restaurants, and designer shops.

Among the 600+ events held annually, Camana Bay hosts weekly events such as the Farmers & Artisans Market on Wednesdays, followed by their acclaimed Flavour Tour, where foodies can experience various dishes and paired cocktails on a guided culinary tour of the Town’s signature restaurants. On the weekends, it is common for the town to be bustling with many visitors who have come to shop, catch a Hollywood blockbuster at the island’s only cinema, Camana Bay Cinema, or splash about in the harbourfront fountains.

3. Take in a festival
Never dull, the Cayman Islands have plenty of fun events throughout the year to keep residents and visitors entertained. In early January partake in Cayman Cookout, a three-day dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, where celebrity chefs like Eric Ripert and Anthony Bourdain demonstrate how they create their signature dishes. Residents also enjoy a multitude of music festivals, sporting events, and cultural festivals like Pirate’s Week in early November.

4. Volunteer or join a club
When living in Grand Cayman, giving back is part of the community’s moral fabric. There are many opportunities to support your favourite cause through organizations like Feed Our Future, The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, or the Cayman Islands Humane Society.

For such a small island, you will be surprised to discover a broad spectrum of clubs and societies to choose from. Whatever your inclination, find like-minded people by joining the Orchid Society, CrossFit or Art Nest Creative Studio to name a few.

5. Indulge in the local cuisine
As the "culinary capital of the Caribbean," the Cayman Islands offers endless dining options, not to mention being spoiled for choice when it comes to seafood. Be sure to try conch, a popular dish on the island, which can be prepared many different ways from stewed, deep fried and dunked in jerk sauce, or caught fresh for a ceviche. For more on the dining scene, read our guide to the top 10 restaurants to try when living in Grand Cayman.

6. Explore the past
The Cayman Islands is rich in culture and the arts. In an effort to preserve the remaining articles of its history, the Cayman Islands National Museum is the living connection to the islands’ past. Located on George Town’s waterfront, the museum has interactive displays giving visitors the opportunity to experience the territory's unique natural and cultural heritage.

7. Treat yourself to a spa day
When living in Grand Cayman wellness is easily top of mind with multiple luxury retreats such as the Silver Rain Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which offers its guests signature La Prairie treatments including a luxurious caviar massage and various other treatments to refresh and renew. The newest spa in Grand Cayman is located at The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and it houses the island’s only Turkish-style Hammam.

8. Play a round of golf
From novice to advanced, those who love to golf can find the only 18-hole championship golf course in the Cayman Islands at the North Sound Golf Club. At the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, golf enthusiasts enjoy a nine-hole course designed by Greg Norman. Whichever course you choose, you will experience lush tropical landscapes complete with sunbathing iguanas and distracting water views.

9. Get back to nature
Shifting away from the scenic beaches, Grand Cayman is lush with majestic flora and fauna. Take a stroll through the Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park in North Side where tropical indigenous plants flourish throughout. It is here where guests can also catch a glimpse of the freely roaming and endangered Blue Iguana that is endemic to Cayman Islands.

Continuing east, visit the Crystal Caves – a newly discovered underground cave – where thousands of glimmering crystals and an underground watering hole make this one of the most magical sites in the Cayman Islands.

10. Unwind on the Sister Islands
A special treat when living in Grand Cayman, escape the hustle and bustle of the big island to the more laid back sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, both minutes away by flight. On the Brac, climb one hundred foot bluffs, wander through caves, or do some bird-watching. In Little Cayman, partake in a diving excursion, or spend the day on the pristine coral-sand shore.

This 22-mile-long slice of paradise has so much to discover; luckily, when living in Grand Cayman, you have all the time in the world to explore its many wonders.