When winter grays loom, and your inner Van Gogh craves an infusion of color, look no further than the Cayman Islands. This trio of tropical islands combines beauty, adventure, and relaxation to create the ultimate island getaway.
These islands offer a variety of activities for all, from scuba diving to beach relaxation with a frosted drink. Read on to discover the best beaches in the Cayman Islands.
Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach is frequently mentioned when discussing the best beaches in the world. With its cerulean seas and powder-soft sand, it’s easy to see why this stretch of shoreline is considered a paradise.
The apparent water is because Seven Mile Beach is made up of coral sand. Because the Cayman Islands are flat coral islands without rivers, there’s no natural runoff that would silt the water here. This makes the water on Seven Mile Beach incredibly clear, with visibility ranging from 60-100 feet and an average year-round temperature of 73-85 degrees.
While it’s true that Seven Mile Beach attracts crowds, this expansive beach is big enough to have plenty of secluded spots to enjoy. Plus, it’s illegal for peddlers to sell things along the beach, so you won’t have to worry about having your time interrupted by salespeople. A popular activity here is snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding, which make the most of the calm waves and shallow reefs. It’s also a popular place to build sand castles and relax.
West Bay Beach
It is a booming area for vacation rentals, restaurants, and new business development.
West Bay is a popular destination for locals and tourists trying to avoid the crowds at Seven Mile Beach. It is a white sand beach with world-class diving and snorkeling immediately off the shore. It’s also where most Cayman Islands resorts and hotels reside, famous for its all-inclusive packages. Several independent activity operators line the beach tour the Cayman Islands, from parasailing to scuba tours of the second-largest reef system in the world.
West Bay is consistently rated among the best beaches in the Caribbean and Central America and features various things to do for every vacation type. Whether your interests lie in relaxing on the sand, going bottom up at a beach bar, or dining on fresh seafood and tropical fruits, this world-class beach is the perfect place to spend a day (or more). It’s no wonder why many choose to call this heavenly neighborhood home. West Bay also offers a range of property options, from luxury homes and condos along Baggy Sands Road to historic cottages and gated communities.
East End Beach
If you’re looking for a secluded beach on the Cayman Islands where you can relax, you should head to East End Beach. This small public beach is a favorite among locals because it’s quiet and usually not too crowded during the week. You can also find hammocks here to lounge on while you enjoy the beautiful scenery and calm waters.
While there, you should check out Stingray City, a unique beach that allows you to interact with stingrays in their natural habitat. This unique Grand Cayman attraction is a series of tiny sandbars you can walk on with only three or four feet of water covering them. The stingrays are drawn to the area because fishermen clean their catch in the calm, shallow waters near the sandbars and throw unwanted scraps into the water.
You can also snorkel at Smith Cove Beach, a famous marine life site that features vibrant turquoise water and picturesque scenery. This beach is located near George Town and is popular with tourists and locals who enjoy its stunning beauty, diverse sea life, and picturesque sunsets.
Turtle Cove Beach
Turtle Cove Beach is an extraordinary place to watch wild sea turtles graze in their natural habitat. It’s incredible to see these creatures up close, personal, and located next to the Olympic-sized swimming pool called Queen’s Bath. The lava shelf in the cove creates a safe, shallow swimming area with crystal-clear water. It’s also an excellent spot for children and those who are a little nervous about entering the water. At low tide, the intertidal zone is also a great place to search for sea critters such as sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, gobies, and colorful reef fish.
The upscale Turtle Cove region borders Smith’s Reef, home to Providenciales’s largest marina. Luxury rental villas line much of the beachfront in this sheltered region, and several shops, restaurants, and other amenities are located at Turtle Cove Marina.
The villas at Silver Thatch are only a short distance from this remarkable island oasis. They’re also centrally located to the grocery store, western beaches, Camana Bay, and Seven Mile Beach. Hurley’s and Foster’s supermarkets, as are local restaurants and fitness facilities, are just minutes away.
Rum Point Beach
This tranquil alternative to Seven Mile Beach is perfect for families, friends, and couples. Soft white sand and warm shallow waters are the backdrop for various fun activities, including swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in hammocks between coconut trees. The area is sheltered from the open ocean by a coral reef, so the water stays calm and sheltered, making it ideal for kids and non-swimmers.
The beach gets its name from the barrels of rum that used to wash ashore, and today, rum cocktails and mudslides are a popular drink choice here.