Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The grandest of Grand Cayman’s sandy strands, Seven Mile Beach, might not be quite 7 miles long—but that’s about the only thing that won’t live up to the hype about this seemingly endless stretch that’s often cited as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Fringed by many top resorts, Seven Mile Beach also boasts serene crystalline waters that are the stuff of legendary Instagram posts and YouTube videos.
The beach is so long, in fact, that it encompasses several other popular strands, including Cemetery Beach—known for its offshore reef alive with colorful tropical fish and corals—and the shaded Governor’s Beach, which fittingly sits in front of Grand Cayman’s governor’s mansion.
Beaches Upon Beaches
Not to be overlooked, however, are Grand Cayman’s lesser-known shores, where visitors can swap the resort vibe for solitude, laid-back beach bars, or close encounters with local aquatic life.
Calm, shallow waters make the north shore peninsula of Rum Point worth the 25-mile drive from Cayman’s capital, George Town. If you’re only going to have one drink at a beach bar (unlikely though that sounds), make it a mudslide from the Wreck Bar at Rum Point—the bar claims to have invented the frozen cocktail in the 1970s.
Sheltered Smith’s Cove (also known as Smith’s Barcadere) is where generations of Caymanian families have taken their children to learn to swim. For visitors, it has the dual benefits of being uncrowded and close to the cruise port and airport. The weekend fish fry at the Grape Tree Café on the beach in Bodden Town is a must for a taste of local cuisine.
Under the Sea
Underwater life abounds in most of the waters surrounding Grand Cayman, but certain spots have rockstar species worth seeking out. Stingray City, a submerged sandbar in the North Sound where waders “swim” with stingrays, is the most famous.
Another safe-touch opportunity is found at Starfish Point, where you can see abundant starfish in the shallow waters. Early European explorers dubbed Grand Cayman “Las Tortugas” (the turtles), and the best place to find green turtles paddling through the sea grass is at Spotts Beach, a popular spot for snorkelers.
