The Caribbean island of Grand Cayman offers much more than its beautiful beaches. Intriguing heritage sites and otherworldly marine encounters will enhance your cruise vacation.
Stingray City
Stingray City is a must-do experience for anyone visiting Grand Cayman. This popular excursion takes you on a boat ride to the famous stingray sandbar, where you interact with the docile creatures. The sandbar is only 3-4 feet deep, making it safe for non-swimmers to enjoy the activity. Snorkel tours can also be added to Stingray City for a more immersive experience.
After spending time with the stingrays, you will cruise to Starfish Point, where you can discover and photograph starfish of all sizes in shallow waters. Afterward, you will be served a local island picnic on the sandy beach of this beautiful location.
Visitors to the Grand Cayman Islands cruise port are awed by the size of the green turtles at the Turtle Center and the large stingrays at Stingray City. But there is much more to do on this beautiful Caribbean island. You can explore the National Museum housed in the oldest public building, hike on nature trails, or visit a bay home to bio-luminescent organisms. There are also opportunities to shop, enjoy a spa day, or relax on Seven Mile Beach, one of the world’s best beaches.
National Museum
This museum is located right next to the cruise port on Harbour Drive, in a picture-perfect 1800s former government building. It features several exhibits emphasizing Grand Cayman’s history and culture. It gets very good reviews from those who have been, and it’s a great alternative to spending your day at one of the many beaches that line the shore within walking distance.
The Turtle Farm (aka the turtle aquarium/zoo) is a popular attraction for those with kids as they get to hold sea turtles and learn about these creatures that are so important to the island. They also research and breed these sea creatures and sell a lot of their meat in restaurants across the islands.
Fishing enthusiasts will love the chance to cast a line in the crystal blue waters of Grand Cayman for Barracuda and Tarpon, which are two of the most popular game fish. There are several guided and private excursions available.
Turtle Farm
Despite being ultra-touristy (it attracts hordes of cruise passengers each week), this unique park is a delightful spot. Its state-of-the-art educational center features exhibits on Cayman heritage, wildlife, and island ecosystems. It also showcases the hatchery and release programs.
It’s an opportunity to get up close and personal with these enchanting creatures, some of whom you can hold. The farm’s ponds are filled with turtles at different stages of life; you can even wade into one to touch yearlings and watch them swarm together for feeding three times a day.
While the farm breeds and releases 31,000 turtles into the wild, it isn’t without controversy. Some conservationists have criticized that this unique facility promotes turtle meat as a delicacy. Others point out that there are better ways to conserve the species and protect the island’s marine environment. Nevertheless, this is a fascinating and fun attraction for visitors willing to forgo turtle stew. Aside from the turtles, Boatswain’s Beach is home to a reef lagoon where you can snorkel, a free-flight aviary, and a woodland nature trail.
Rum Point
On the island’s Northern side, Rum Point is an ideal beach for cruise guests seeking tranquility or relaxation. Its white sand beaches, shallow clear waters, and ocean vistas provide an idyllic getaway from the cruise port.
It also serves as an excellent departure location for Stingray City tours since it is just a short boat ride from the famous sandbar where guests can interact with stingrays. It’s an easy, stress-free way to make the most of your time on this beautiful Caribbean island.
Whether sipping a mudslide cocktail or spotting brightly colored starfish, you can spend hours relaxing at this peaceful, picturesque destination. Those who prefer to explore can stroll along the boardwalk or lounge in a hammock under the shade of Casuarina trees. Rum Point is home to several great dining options if you’re craving something a bit more filling. On Monday evenings, visit The Wreck Bar and Grill for a beach BBQ dinner experience with your toes in the sand.
Historic Shipwreck Lookout
One of the most popular activities in Grand Cayman is snorkeling at Smith’s Cove, a lovely beach less crowded than other beaches on the island. Here, you can also visit a turtle farm with interactive encounters and media presentations. This unique excursion gets rave reviews from cruisers.
Located in the historic 1800s government building that houses the National Museum, this attraction is perfect for visitors who want to learn about the history of Grand Cayman without getting in the water. You can often find a combo tour with this destination that also visits the Crystal Caves or Pedro St. James, both nearby.
Be sure to use your smartphone’s camera’s wide-angle setting here to capture the beautiful cliffs, sea, and shipwreck in a single shot. Many people make a fatal mistake at clifftop tourist hotspots searching for the perfect selfie, so remember to stay safe and always swim with a buddy. In the evening, head back to Flagstaff Hill for a dazzling Sound and Light Show highlighting three of the most famous shipwreck stories that gave this coastline its name.