Story Contributed by Waterdogs SCUBA & Safety The largest of the three Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman, is all about beaches, sunshine, and laid-back island life. If you’re planning a trip to this popular Caribbean destination, here is a helpful guide highlighting some experiences you absolutely must have on Grand Cayman.
Sit on the breezy porch and sample sandwiches, salads and other delectable innovations made with locally grown produce, farm-fresh eggs, and lots of love. This place does amazing things with coconut, including irresistible coconut ‘ceviche’ and smoked spiced coconut ‘bacon’.
Seven Mile Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean. Stretching for seven miles along Grand Cayman’s western coast, this picture-perfect stretch of sand is where you’ll find crystal clear turquoise water, palm trees lining the shore, areas to snorkel among coral and colorful fish, and the opportunity to simply relax and soak up some sunshine.
Although the menu is mostly vegan and vegetarian, Vivo is doing its part to rid the reef of its most dangerous invasive species. You can help by ordering a seared lionfish sandwich or a coconut lionfish curry. Good for the body, good for the soul, good for the earth!
At the main entrance to the beach, you’ll usually find hordes of cruise ship passengers, but if you walk a little further in either direction the beach clears out and you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy the sand in relative solitude. At Stingray City, swim with hundreds of Southern Sting rays in perfectly clear water across a large sand bar. Enjoy the memorable of feeding them by hand as you enjoy a once in a life time experience. Other attractions include: Crystal Caves, Bioluminescent Waters, and Prancing Ponies.
Let’s Eat!
Macabucas – Local Favorite located in west bay, with restaurant seating, a bar on the beach, and seating that extends into the water over the reef. Great spot to do a shore dive especially at night! Cracked Conch - This oceanfront stunner has been delighting discerning diners for some three decades. Although it sounds like the name of a beach bar, this high-concept restaurant and lounge is all white tablecloths and sublime service. There’s a more informal venue on the vast open-air deck. Perfect spot for a sunset dinner. Vivo - At the forefront of Cayman’s farm-totable movement, Vivo is all about sustainability.
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Kaibo Beach - Here’s a near-perfect beach bar, with tables in the sand, creative cocktails, and scrumptious food – ranging from conch fritters to coconut curry fish. For a rollicking good time, come for the Tuesday-night beach barbecue, with live music, Caymanian cooking and dancing on the sand. Need a lift? You can catch the water taxi from Camana Bay. Upstairs - That’s the name, as well as the location, and is a highly lauded fine-dining restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Laurence Tham. The sixcourse tasting menu is a culinary extravaganza.
Dive In
The diving around Grand Cayman is absolutely phenomenal, with something for every level of experience to enjoy. Stunningly beautiful reefs are flourishing off of the western and northern coasts. The features most prominent for divers are the sheer walls located just off the coastline where the island landscape drops steeply into the ocean bottom. Along the side of these walls are all manner of marine life which feed on the bio-systems offered by the healthy aquatic growth. Abundant fish, several species of rays, and our personal favorite, the sea turtle, can be found amongst the growth both day and night. The USS Kittiwake, a former submarine rescue ship for the US Navy, was sunk just off Seven Mile Beach in January, 2011. Purpose sunk for use by SCUBA divers, the Kittiwake continues to draw people from all over the world. Very
conveniently located at an appropriate depth for any level of diver, this vessel was recently modified by Mother Nature herself. Tropical Storm Nate in early 2017 pushed the Kittiwake onto her side but this only made the dive MORE interesting while still maintaining the structural integrity needed for some safe SCUBA experiences. On the northeast side of the island, Lighthouse Point offers a great shore dive out to see the Guardian of the Deep. Half ancient warrior and half seahorse, the mythological creature sculpted in Bronze stands an impressive 13 feet and is an easy swim out for divers and swimmers alike. He is easily seen from the surface but is best experienced below the surface while SCUBA diving down to about 60 feet. Quite the site and highly recommended.
Swimming with Horses
We tend to try horseback riding on many of our ventures and Grand Cayman did not disappoint. We participated in a fantastic beach ride which ended with a very unusual twist. The guide, an obvious equestrian of serious skill and experience, led our group on horseback out into the surf all the way past the breakers to where the horses were swimming with us holding on! On command, the horses turned back towards the shore and took us back to their well-appointed stable to end the day.
To Conclude…
The Caribbean is one of the greatest things about living where we do. Grand Cayman, specifically, is a short trip away that offers all the amenities of home in an island getaway with great weather and beautiful scenery for everyone year-round. You cannot go wrong if considering a getaway and we welcome any other questions you may have. We can’t wait to report in the next issue on some of our further adventures and hope you consider joining us sometime in the near future.
