Top Things to do in Grand Cayman
What to do and see in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
The farther you go from Grand Cayman's busy docks, the more peace and quiet you'll find. At Stingray City (actually a sandbar), stingrays swim alongside you in the tranquil waters. Closer to town, travelers report finding some of the best massage and spa services anywhere in the Caribbean.
Restaurants in Grand Cayman
1. Stingray City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,072 reviews
Reviewed By GonzFamilyVaca - Wanaque, United States
I booked this excursion through a cruise line. This was an amazing experience! The boat was clean, not crowded at all. The crew were informative and friendly. They made it possible for us to have enough playtime with the stingrays – fed, pet, and kissed (according to the locals, “it’ll bring 7 years of good luck”), so we made sure of that, lol! They were stingrays swimming around us as we stood at the sandbar, which was about 4 feet deep. Water was crystal clear. Make sure to bring underwater digital camera to capture those memorable photos to share, we sure did! Never felt we were rushed. We had a blast!
2. Mastic Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
No trip to Grand Cayman would be complete without exploring some of the last remaining untouched old-growth forests of the Caribbean. Located in the interior Mastic Reserve, The Mastic Trail is one of several natural heritage sites managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. The trail is 2.3 miles long and the guided walk takes approximately two and a half to three hours. Along the trail, walkers will learn about rare trees including an exceptionally fine specimen of a Mastic tree, from which the Reserve and Trail take their name. Cayman's native Parrot is at home in the Reserve, as is the West Indian Woodpecker, Caribbean Dove, and a number of other bird species. Butterflies, snakes (not poisonous), frogs, crabs and lizards are a few of the animals walkers may encounter. Guided Tours are scheduled Tuesday and Thursday mornings by reservation only. Please see The National Trust’s website or call the main office to book your space on one of Cayman's best kept secret tours!
Reviewed By seegarjm - Franklin, United States
The four of us 70-somethings very much enjoyed hiking this somewhat challenging trail, led by Stuart Mailer, host extraordinaire of the last bit of old-growth forest on the island. Stuart has the sharpest of eyes for the flora and fauna of the region, and an encyclopedic knowledge and enthusiasm for it. He stopped frequently to share his observations and invite ours, and to provide a bit of a breather, much appreciated. The younger folks on the hike were expert birders, and Stuart, though a geologist, steered us to many sightings, including a rare one, plus several local snakes and lizards. His geological and cultural observations gave us a good base of appreciation for this magical island. We highly recommend this tour — Seegars (WV) & Kossacks (MA)
3. Cayman Turtle Centre: Island Wildlife Encounter
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,358 reviews
Cayman's most-visited and perennially popular land-based attraction, Cayman Turtle Centre: Island Wildlife Encounter hosts more than 300,000 visitors each year. Conservation of sea turtles and other island wildlife with associated research and education are at the heart of the company's mission. The Centre is also a vital component of the country's economy, providing a world-class tourist attraction that is truly one-of-a-kind: the only institution in the world that successfully breeds green sea turtles, releases captive-bred sea turtles into the wild, and allows visitors to get "up close and personal" with sea turtles in various exhibits and supervised encounters. Local and Caribbean birds, marine predators, crocodile and other island wildlife are also featured in this Grand Cayman island favorite "must-see".
Reviewed By AirSchis - Vancouver, Canada
We really enjoyed the time we spent at this interactive Turtle Centre. It is not a cheap day especially for a family so hopefully you can find a coupon. Get the full service choice so you can swim with the turtles. Arrive early so you can get to the Turtle Lagoon and find much more space to swim with the turtles and fish. It gets pretty busy the later you arrive. They provide the snorkel equipment and a flotation vest. That was so much fun and you can get super close to the turtles and the reef fish. Lots of other fun and informative activities such as feeding the nurse sharks, crocodile feeding once a week and feeding of large and small turtles. Very interactive and good for adults and children. Highly recommend this.
4. Governor Michael Gore Bird Sanctuary
5. Meagre Bay Pond
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 2 reviews
Located on the southern coast of Grand Cayman, the pond features grebes, plovers, shovelers and snowy egrets.
