Location: West Bay
Top Things to do in West Bay
What to do and see in West Bay, Cayman Islands: The Best Places and Tips
West Bay is a district located on the west side of Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies. The population is 11,436.
West Bay is a residential area located north of Grand Cayman's tourist-popular Seven Mile Beach.
Restaurants in West Bay
1. Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 862 reviews
The ex-USS Kittiwake is an Ex-US Navy Submarine Rescue Vessel. She was sunk on January 5th, 2011 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands to create an artificial reef and shipwreck attraction for scuba divers and snorkelers to visit and enjoy.The attraction is operated by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. Please use a licensed operator and all visitors are required to pay a user fee.
Reviewed By tawney112 - Waterloo, Iowa
This wreck is young enough to still maintain its fantastic shape but old enough to have some good growth. Plus, it's shallow enough to really dig in and explore! The visibility was amazingly clear, and the tour through the ship was fantastic. You can clearly see the recompression chamber and air tanks used for rescuing submariners, and it's fun to explore now that it's on a tilt. Got some great video and photos of the wreck and wished we could have explored it much longer - next time we will hire private DM so we can get as much bottom time as possible.
2. Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman invites our guests to have the experience of a lifetime swimming with dolphins in paradise! Our Grand Cayman Dolphinarium offers family-friendly programs for all ages, a Caribbean adventure you will never forget.
Reviewed By Stephanie O - Dublin, Ohio
We just did a dolphin encounter this past week as part of a Port Adventure we purchased from Disney Cruise Line. We paid for the experience through Disney and the “encounter” was around $159 (USD) per person, so not cheap but we knew a dolphin experience like this most likely wouldn’t be. We were taken from the cruise port and brought to the facility where there wasn’t much direction on what to do, but we just rolled with it. Once we were in the hands of the staffers who worked with the dolphin (our staffer was Emel) it was great. So great. They had a photographer taking photos and I’m going to call our dolphin experience a top 5 moment in my life (and I’ve done some really cool stuff).
After the dolphin experience (and showers and drying off) we were led into the gift shop where we were told we could look at and purchase the photos. This is where the experience went south real fast.
The woman helping us figure out the computer and look at the photos whipped out a photo price card out of her pocket. To purchase the digital photos of our experience would be $260. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? We were a family of six, so that’s what it said on the card. We looked at all the photos to see if it was really worth that much... after a few minutes of not committing to any photo purchase (mostly because we were just in shock!), the lady said she would take $20 off the package. We still didn’t bite. Another ten minutes later she offered to take another $20 off the package. We still couldn’t swallow (or afford) to pay $220 for some photos. We decided to get just one photo of each of the kids (3 total) with the dolphin so we at least had some record of this experience. Those three photos came to $114, according to the lady. Still crazy expensive.
As we interacted with the photo lady and then finalized purchasing just the three photos, I realized something. The photo prices are NOT posted anywhere in the store—just on this card she pulled out of her pocket. Even then, they aren’t fixed. When she was putting into the computer the purchase, I watched her fill in the “$” field. She put in whatever number she wanted. There was nothing that said x amount of photos or prices to choose from. She pulled a number out of the air and put it into our order, which indicates me to (especially now having read other reviews) the photo prices are completely made up and exploitive. This woman knew we came off a Disney Cruise ship, and yes, Disney cruises are more expensive than many other lines. I think the prices she gave us for photos were gouged and higher simply because they thought we would pay it and could afford it.
The pricing of the photos and the photo purchase experience completely negated any and all good positive vibes we had from the dolphin encounter. It felt like highway robbery and we felt like we were literally being robbed. I would never recommend anyone go to this place—there are so many dolphin experiences available throughout the Caribbean, and this was just a shame.
3. Cayman Turtle Centre: Island Wildlife Encounter
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 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 park 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 Ravenito - Charlotte, North Carolina
Came here and did the full park, including the snorkeling lagoon. I will say that we had a good time and really enjoyed getting to hold the turtles and get pictures. We also really enjoyed snorkeling with the turtles and fish in the lagoon. Most of the turtles hang out at the very back of the lagoon but there are tons of them back there. It was really awesome to get to snorkel with so many of them at once, and there was a lot of fish as well. The facilities were clean and everything was in decent shape. The staff was nice. They even called a taxi for us when we were ready to go back to port. Overall we had an enjoyable day.
The reason I said we had mixed feelings about this place is everything just feels... fake. The lagoon is literally a huge swimming pool (no plants, no coral, not even sand on the bottom). The touch tanks are tiny and it feels like the turtles should have more room. I came away feeling guilty for having a good time, if that makes sense. I'm glad I went, I think, but it's not something I want to do again.
4. Cayman Motor Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 166 reviews
The Cayman Motor Museum, located on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, is a unique attraction that features some of the world's most special, rare, and one-of-a-kind automobiles.On display are 80 vehicles which collectively provide an historical tour of motoring throughout the world—beginning with the very first automobile ever produced, an 1886 Benz! An exact model of the first vehicle ever to be driven in the Cayman Islands — a 1905 Cadillac — has a place of special prominence in the museum.Of special interest both to children (and “adult children”) is the ultimate crime-fighting vehicle, the original “Batmobile” that squired Batman and Robin around Gotham in the 1960s Television show. An exact replica of the “Batcycle” is also on display. Moviegoers will recognize the 1929 Yellow Rolls-Royce that appeared in the movie of the same name, and “royal watchers” will be attracted to the 1956 Daimler DK400, Queen Elizabeth II’s first limousine.Racing and speed aficionados will marvel at the sleek Ferraris (nearly a dozen classics, all in mint condition), Maseratis, Corvettes, and Jaguars. Magnificent Rolls-Royces (including a 1930 “Phantom”) and Bentleys (including Sir Elton John’s 1963 classic) abound, beckoning viewers back to an era of meticulous craftsmanship and unsurpassed luxury.The Museum is a great cruise ship excursion or a great place to spend an afternoon while on vacation to the Cayman Islands. Our gift shop offers unique auto memorabilia and souvenirs to the general public. The Cayman Motor Museum is also available for private functions and special events.
Reviewed By Judith G
Wonderful museum perfect for children on vacation that don't want to spend 4hrs in a "museum environment." Wonderful selection of cars, coffee grinders and other interesting items. A wonderful teaching/learning experience that will still give you time for lunch and the beach. My husband loves cars and could have spent more time in there. Don't forget to check out the amazing newspaper articles that are framed. Wonderful for the younger generation to see how slowly news traveled prior to the internet.
5. Barker's National Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By Spanish B - Jackson, Michigan
Once we managed to find it we enjoyed it. Other than the Kite Surfing school and the Horseback tours there isn't a lot going on. The Beaches are deserted. we wandered around exploring the mangroves which are far different than 7 mile beach. We came across some interesting types of jellyfish which are known as "upside down jellies". They were plentiful so wear shoes in the water. Really not a lot going on other that peace and quiet which is the goal actually.
6. West Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By SaskatchewanMojo - Saskatchewan
It’s right across the street from our vacation rental calypso cove. We love how the beach is nice and quiet. No one bothers you. Calm water to do some light snorkeling. There were some cute little fish near the rocks. Soft sand. A few restaurants along the road if you get hungry. Public bathrooms I believe as well.
