A few years ago, Dawn and I took our first cruise. It was amazing and we have since taken several more. On our first cruise, one of our stops was in the Cayman Islands. We have shared with you previously about some of the great things to do in the Cayman Islands but, today, we share with you exactly what we did while in Grand Cayman.
How To Spend A Day In Grand Cayman
Our first port of call, after two days at sea, was Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is the largest of three islands that make up the Cayman Islands chain, which also includes Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, located south of Cuba. Grand Cayman is also the home of the Cayman Islands capital of George Town, which is where our ship ported. According to our guide, even though the Cayman Islands elects its own government officials, they still fall under the rule of the British Crown, which means that technically Queen Elizabeth is their ruler.
We arrived early in the morning at Grand Cayman, and after exiting our ship, we took a tender boat to the mainland. There we were met with smiling faces and friendly people. One of the first people we met was an authentic Grand Cayman Police officer, who gladly posed for a picture with me. By the way, our guide pointed out, and I think that it is a good time to mention it, that if you plan to take a picture of someone in public in Grand Cayman, it is illegal to do so without first asking their permission. This keeps the paparazzi away, because there are several celebrities who own homes on Grand Cayman. Our guide mentioned Sylvester Stallone among others, although that is the only one I can recall at the moment.
Grand Cayman is also well-known for its offshore banking. There are several large banks on the island, and banking and finance help to drive the Cayman Islands’ economy.
Our first stop was Hell. No, I don’t mean it was terrible. I mean it was the area of Grand Cayman called Hell. It is a series of strange limestone rock formations that some people say is what Hell must look like, hence the name. There we mailed our daughter and my mom a postcard from Hell!
We took an excursion to the western end of the island, where we got to take pictures of world-famous Seven Mile Beach which, according to our guide, is annually voted one of the top ten beaches in the world. We also visited Cayman Turtle Farm, where we got to view several sea turtles, iguanas and even a crocodile! We were allowed to hold some of the smaller, younger sea turtles. They will throw a little fit when you pick them up, but if you stroke them under the chin, much like a cat, they will calm down. It was a wonderful day.
When we returned to George Town, Dawn and I were getting hungry, so we decided to try a local restaurant. We chose Breezes By The Bay which was at the cruise port. There we each ordered a burger. Dawn ordered the Caribbean Jerk burger, while I had the Rum Marinated burger. Both were quite delicious.
We also took the opportunity to get some souvenirs. Dawn wanted a rum cake, so we bought a six pack. We have been to several Caribbean islands since and it seems like the Tortuga Rum Cakes are cheapest in Grand Cayman, so we recommend getting them there when you visit. We also got a hand made hammock for our daughter and some authentic Cayman Islands money (you’ll find that this is a recurring theme in these posts, as this was what we decided to collect from each port). And we made sure to stop in at Margaritaville as we always try to hit those while on vacation.
After we had done everything we had set out to do on the island, we returned to the boat for some rest. Who knew vacationing could be so much work? Whew! All in all, Grand Cayman was pretty fun, and I wouldn’t mind going back again someday. And that may just happen this year as we are eyeing a cruise that has Grand Cayman as a port of call. I hate that we didn’t stop by the Hard Rock Cafe there, so if we do visit again, that will definitely be on the itinerary.
Check out the rest of our pictures of our visit to Grand Cayman on Flickr.
Have You Been To Grand Cayman?
Have you ever visited Grand Cayman or any of the other Cayman Islands? If so, what did you do there? We would love to hear about your adventures in the comments below.
I’ve never been to grand Cayman (or Hell, lol.) I have an idea I would have no trouble finding a way to spend time there: put me on a beach (with Winter far, far away) & I’d be happy!
Oh the caribbean makes me think of pirates, rum and bank accounts. I have never been there but it sure does have its stories doesn’t it. Those turtles are too cute!
This looks like a lovely place to visit. I’m sure your family got a laugh out of the postcard from hell.
I’ve been longing to go to Grand Cayman for a few years now. It looks like you had an amazing time. My last cruise was to the bahamas. I’m hoping the next time around its somewhere more tropical.
The pictures are beautiful and it sounds like you’ve had an awesome trip! I wish to visit Grand Cayman in the near future as well!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Gosh these pictures make me want to go there so badly! Thank you for sharing them – I have a friend who travels there pretty often and she also loves each of her experiences so much!
Never been to Grand Cayman, yet! Seriously want to now looking at these photos! I love turtles!
I’ve never been to Grand Cayman but I am planning a trip to a nice tropical place and this post has me intrigued. Thanks for tips on what to do!
I have never been to Grand Cayman but if that is what hell looks like I won’t mind if anyone tells me to go to it! 😉 That must have been so fun to hold the sea turtles. I love them!
I love cruising!! What a fun cruise you guys got to go on, its one of the best ways to travel and see places.
I haven’t been, but I want to! This sounds so fun.
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
What a great place to go, I would love to have the problem of trying to find something to do there.
Looks like the perfect mix of nature and relaxation. I am dreaming of a warm weather vacation now.
I would love to go to Grand Cayman someday! How funny and ironic that there’s an area called Hell there 🙂 It looks like paradise!
I enjoyed others islands more than Grand Cayman but still loved the experience. I also loved the turtles!
I have been to Grand Cayman and it was so much fun and beautiful! We went on a boat ride and snorkeled, it was amazing. We also went to Margaritaville of course and that was a good time.
I love Grand Cayman. I was there as a child and thought it was HILARIOUS about us going to “Hell”… … And the turtles are still a fave memory for me.
I’ve never been to Grand Cayman. It looks like such a fun family vacation spot!
I’ve never been to the Grand Cayman but it looks like you had a lot of fun.
This looks like my idea of paradise! I’d love to go to the Grand Cayman – mainly for the seven mile long beach 🙂
We love Grand Cayman. We did the snorkel with stingrays tour the last time we visited. I’ll have to check out the turtle farm on our next trip.
Grand Cayman is on my list right now for the Christmas holidays. I love stingray tours and I love turtles, so thanks for this review of both!
Ahh, I love Grand Cayman. I’ve been there a few times and saw the turtles! I’ve also been to Hell! That is a fascinating place.
Yum those burgers have me hungry. I’ve never been there, would love to go!
We sent my parents to Grand Cayman for the anniversary a couple years ago. They loved the area.
What a beautiful place, and wonderful experience! We love sea turtles, and since we live near the beach, we’ve been to several of their nests.
I’m not much of an island or beach girl, but I do love sea life. So being able to spend time with turtles or other fish and wildlife native to the Cayman Islands would intrigue me.
That is so interesting that turtles like to be stroked under the chin like cats and that it calms them down. What a great opportunity to play with them!
I need a beach bum vaca so badly, this would totally hit the spot! I LOVE the turtles, how adorable that they like to be stroked under the chin!
I have never been to the grand cayman, or any islands lol. I am going this summer to the Virgin Islands and I’m super excited for that. It sounds like you really enjoyed it, since you will be going back.
I have never been to Grand Cayman. The only islands I have visited is Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada. I was born in Trinidad and I have family in Grenada.
I love Margaritaville! I haven’t been to Grand Cayman but it looks like a relaxing and enjoyable place.
I have the Grand Cayman’s on my travel bucket list. I wish to be able to go there someday with my family. Everything is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing you beautiful adventure. I was able to get away form home even if just through your photographs. xx
It would be nice to spend some time here with the kids! I love that you get to see turtles and even interact with them. It’s definitely a nice getaway! I’m dreaming of a sunny vacay right now because of the cold weather!
A friend of mine just came back from her vacation at Grand Cayman and she was impressed too! The nature and the quality of sand on the beach is just incomparable to anything else!
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