Favorite activities in Grand Cayman? Dining recs/advice?

[Anonymous]

My family of 4 (two teens) is going to Grand Cayman over Xmas. We used to go to local beaches when they were younger. We haven't done much international travel. The kids and DH are not super adventurous. They all like natural things (like animals). We have a condo on 7 mile beach (further to the north where there still is some sand/beach), and we will have a rental car.

What are your favorite activities in Grand Cayman?

Any tips for making the trip smooth? Any recommendations for dining or buying groceries? Any other tips?

[Anonymous]

Fat Fish Jet Ski excursion
Head over to the east end for botanical gardens, white sands slip/slide snorkeling, and parrot sanctuary. Stop at a fish fry joint on your way back.

[Anonymous]

My kids loved a boat trip we did with Red Sail Tours that went to Stingray City, snorkeling and Starfish Cay.

You'll be close to the Cracked Conch which is a fun scenic place for dinner (bar food but great for sunsets/families).

Grand Cayman is VERY safe and you will be fine to walk anywhere/take cabs.

[Anonymous]

Make reservations because restaurants book up.

Morgans and Calypso are good options.

Not sure how far north you are but Sunshine Grill was great for breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Sting Ray city. There are tours that will couple a trip there with snorkeling a nearby Coral Gardens area. There is a beach on the far side of the island that is both decent snorkeling and fun to just hang---has volleyball nets etc. We would basically pick a different snorkeling destination each day.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for a snorkel trip that includes a visit to stingray city and starfish point. We used Six Senses and highly recommend them. We did the early bird tour and it was perfect. They'll give you a pool noodle to use for snorkeling if you're not comfortable (or a life vest but then you'll just float). We also did their bioluminescent bay tour once and liked it but the other tour I mentioned is a must for Cayman.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Yes, I've definitely been looking at the trips that involve snorkeling and StingRay city.

I still need at least two other activities. Have been looking at the Bioluminescence trip -- but the one that involves kayaking is an hour drive from our hotel. Not sure about that.

Also considered an e-bike historical tour. Again, not sure if that would be interesting for all.

Keep any other suggestions coming.

[Anonymous]

Anyone?

Is there nothing else to do in Grand Cayman other than Sting Ray City and a snorkeling tour?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone?

Is there nothing else to do in Grand Cayman other than Sting Ray City and a snorkeling tour?

It’s a laid back vacation. It’s an island that caters to divers and sport fishermen.

There are different beaches around the island worth checking out if you snorkel.

Definitely rent a car.

There’s a place with starfish.

Turtle farm.

Make dinner reservations ahead of time.

It’s a small island.

[Anonymous]

We did a boat tour every other day as being out on the water is what my teens liked best. We used Red Sail Sports Catamaran tours and had a blast. We used them to go to both starfish island and a stingray excursion. We also hired a private charter to snorkel other parts of the island & also dive for conch then made conch salad on board for lunch. Fun shopping/looking around day in Georgetown (make sure to choose days when cruise ships are not in port) Our teens enjoyed visiting the Ritz lobby and looking at the art and eating a fancy dinner. We also dined at Luca for a great Italian dinner, Sunshine grill for casual lunch, some rib joint outside covered patio for super casual dinner. There is also a "town center" sort of place called Camana Bay which is nice and teens may like the vibe in the evening. I think we ate at Abacus and had gelato there after. I think Calypso Grill and Aqua were two others that were good around the island.

[Anonymous]

The botanical gardens there has blue iguanas, which can only be found in that region.

[Anonymous]

We went this past January and did the Cayman Crystal Caves. The tour guide was awesome and it was really interesting. They had bug spray you could use but the bugs weren’t too bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone?

Is there nothing else to do in Grand Cayman other than Sting Ray City and a snorkeling tour?

I made the suggestions up thread to drive your car over to the East End for botanical gardens and parrot sanctuary. You could also visit the Wreck of the Ten Sails and have lunch at Big Tree BBQ while you are on that side. Or stop by Morritt's to eat lunch out on their pier and feed the tarpon and other fish.

You could go for one of those horseback excursions that take you into the water to swim with your horse.

You could also go waterskiing with Red Sail Sports.

Definitely take your teens on the jet ski excursion with Fat Fish. They will get to go FAST.

[Anonymous]

Go for a meal or drinks at Rackhams and you can feed the tarpon anytime. They also have a ladder so you can jump in the water with the fish.

[Anonymous]

Palm Heights has an oceanfront restaurant. It’s a boutique hotel…nicer than the Ritz.