cayman islands Archives - South Bay Beach Club

Jan 08 2019

Why Winter Is The Best Time To Visit The Cayman Islands

Want to get away from the cold during winter? Head to the Cayman Islands.

Winter on the Cayman Islands isn’t a time when many travelers think they should visit. They wonder about sunning on the beach and snorkeling during wintertime. Is it possible? What about the weather and the surf?

Surprisingly, winter is one of the best times to visit the Cayman Islands. Summer storms have diminished and there isn’t a likelihood of encountering a hurricane.

Temperatures on the Cayman Islands are moderate and you probably won’t even encounter much rain. Winds will have died down, making for perfect lazy days on the sand and easy boating excursions in our waters.

The beaches are actually at their most pristine during wintertime, unlike during summer when nor’easters blow debris onto the shore. Seven Mile Beach is gloriously swimmable and the oceanfront restaurant’s welcome guests during this season for special holiday meals and drinks.

Planning a Winter Getaway in the Cayman Islands.

Because winter weather is so ideal in the Cayman Islands, it’s a popular time of year to visit. Though prices at resorts and restaurants tend to go up over the winter season, the benefits of travel during this time increase as well.

Plan for lovely temperatures in the mid-80s generally and around 77 degrees on the coldest side. Don’t bring winter parkas or boots. You definitely won’t need them.

Swimsuits are a must on a winter trip to the Cayman Islands as are sundresses, t-shirts, sunglasses, and brimmed hats.

Holiday Activities Abound During Winter in the Cayman Islands

Winter is a special time of year for locals and tourists in the Cayman Islands. Christmas activities fill to-do lists and schedules. There may be no more magical time of the year!

One of the top holiday things to do during winter in the Cayman Islands is the Christmas Tree lighting in Camana Bay. At this fun event, the town tree – a towering 40-foot beauty – is illuminated with sparkling lights and decked out in glittering ornaments.

The Parade of Lights is also a must-do during winter activity in the Cayman Islands. The parade features impressively dressed and lit boats that sail the harbor competing for prizes as well as oohs and aahs.

Ready to plan your winter getaway to the Cayman Islands? Book your holiday at South Bay Beach Club and get ready for a most memorable time.

Nov 21 2018

A Quick Guide To The Music, Culture And Food Of The Cayman Islands

You can learn a lot from the Cayman Islands by taking a look at the music, culture, and food here. Whether you’re strolling Grand Cayman’s streets or visiting one of the Cayman Islands’ beautiful beaches, you’ll no doubt come into contact with rhythms, people and flavors that make you take notice.

Everything to discover on our islands seems to revolve around great tunes, events, and eats, in fact. The sounds of a kitchen band blending jazz and soul surround you one minute before you’re suddenly emerged in a vibrant street art scene or tempting to relax in a beachside bar.

The Cayman Islands’ love of reggae and calypso music leads visitors to become entranced nearly anywhere they go. Festivals throughout the year bring together contemporary and classical musicians, and art galleries present rotating and permanent exhibitions that echo our people’s energy.

There is so much to discover on the Cayman Islands and so much to learn about those who call the islands home. Architecture in a full spectrum astounds. From Old World buildings to modern design, it all merges seamlessly alongside the Cayman population.

Here is just a quick guide to the music, culture, and food that’s in store for you in the Cayman Islands:

Pedro St. James National Historic Site

At the Pedro St. James National Historic Site, take a step back in time to experience the heritage and history of the Cayman Islands. Popularly known by residents as “Pedro’s Castle,” the grand great house that sits on the site is the oldest stone structure on all of the islands.

Many tales, cultural and historic, come out of and are inspired by this spot. Pedro’s Castle was built in 1780 by Willian Eden, a wealthy Englishman who used the house as a plantation, jail, courthouse and government assembly. Created by slave labor, the site is said to be haunted and jinxed, yet it has survived hurricanes, vandalism, and fires.

Cayman Cookout and the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean

Many visitors who come to the Cayman Islands want to discover the best food and drink around. It’s no wonder to us locals why they call the islands, in particular, Grand Cayman, the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.

World-renowned chefs have their restaurants on our islands and you’ll find amazing artisanal fare nearly anywhere you go. During the first part of every year, the annual Cayman Cookout in January offers some of the tastiest cuisine by some of the most talented chefs on the planet.

Many food festivals take place throughout the year on the Cayman Islands, and there are always bars and pubs serving up their delicacies. You’ll meet some incredible master mixologists right here near South Bay Beach Club, in fact. Live music almost always accompanies cocktails on Grand Cayman.

Music and the Arts

Music, film, visual arts, theatre, design, and fashion are celebrated daily on the Cayman Islands. It’s not hard to find movie screenings, art shows and comprehensive festivals that showcase local and international artistic talent.

Enjoy attending art discussions, dress-up events, and other parties and festivities when you’re visiting the Cayman Islands.

Need someone to help you plan the perfect visit to our islands? Get insider tips for the best things to do and see on Grand Cayman and beyond by talking to one of our staff members.

Nov 06 2018

Surfing In Grand Cayman

The Cayman Islands may not be known as the top surfing spot in the world and they don’t have the biggest waves, but they’re perfect for riding some good swells. The occasional northwestern winds that blow through the islands during winter (December through March) generate powerful waves especially off of Seven Mile Beach.

There are some great places for beginners to learn to surf in the Cayman Islands. Most of the beaches have nice sandy floors, which makes dealing with the learning curve a bit easier.

From June until November, you’ll usually find the best surf at South Sound Community Centre and at Mariners Cover. These are not the most ideal spots for beginners, though, as there are sea urchins and coral on the bottom that may prove dangerous for the less-than-skilled.

Even though the Cayman Islands is comprised of 3 islands, most people who want to surf stick to hitting the waves at Grand Cayman, the biggest of the islands. If not for the surf, perhaps just for the fact that there’s so much to do on Grand Cayman when a surf session is through.

Definitely hit Seven Mile Beach and Mariners Cove on Grand Cayman.

Seven Mile Beach

On Seven Mile Beach, white sand stretches for as far as you can see. The ocean is a beautiful shade of blue, one that you don’t witness that often in nature. Yes, you may have found Heaven here and Heaven definitely should include a few hours of surfing.

Seven Mile Beach sits on Grand Cayman’s western shore and it’s a place that many people want to visit, to surf or to just relax and soak in the beauty of the space. For surfing, some may find the waves a bit mild. But, many enjoy the leisurely pace at which they can catch waves and take in a fun adventure.

The Best Times to Surf in the Cayman Islands

Any time of year is great for surfing in the Cayman Islands if you’re a beginner. Average swells are anywhere from 3 to 5 feet. If you’re looking for waves larger than that, visit the Cayman Islands between December and March. Keep in mind that late summer and early fall are our hurricane seasons and you may beat a tropical storm or two.

Part of the beauty of the Cayman Islands is that flat spells are just another excuse to enjoy the slow island life that we all treasure here. If the waves get too tame for you, hit up one of the restaurants or bars around Seven Mile Beach and South Bay Beach Club.

Oct 16 2018

20 Fun Facts About The Cayman Islands

Ready to visit the Cayman Islands? While you’re counting down the days to your trip, prepare for the fullest adventure here possible by studying up on these 20 fun facts about the Cayman Islands. You’ll learn a little bit more about our culture, which will only help you enjoy your stay even more than you thought possible.

There are more than 100 nationalities living in harmony in the Cayman Islands.

Our country code is easy to remember. Just dial 345 before making a call to anywhere on our islands.

There are no nude beaches on the Cayman Islands. Alcohol is allowed on the sand, but the legal drinking age is 18.

The Cayman Islands’ currency fixes to the US$. Our paper currency features a photo of Queen Elizabeth II along with our Coat of Arms that includes a turtle, pineapple, and shield.

The Banana Orchid is the national flower of the Cayman Islands.

Our stunning Silver Thatch Palms are our national trees.

If you want to sing our national song in a bar or anywhere, really, you’ll want to know the words and tune of “He Hath Founded it Upon the Seas.”

You’ll find the highest point on all 3 islands on Cayman Brac. It comes in at 140 feet above sea level!

Cayman Brac comes from the Gaelic phrase “craggy bluff” because it has a huge Limestone cliff.

Liquor stores in the Cayman Islands are open until 10 p.m. You won’t be able to buy any wine, beer or spirits on Sunday at all so stock up!

There’s supposedly a treasure on our islands that Neil Walkers, Henry Morgan, and Edward Blackbeard left behind when the pirates occupied Cayman Island in the 18th century.

Seven Mile Beach, our islands’ most famous beach, is not actually 7 miles long. It spans 5.5 miles!

Christopher Columbus had a good year in the Cayman Islands in 1503. He stumbled upon the islands and named Cayman “Las Tortugas,” Spanish for the turtles he saw all around.

The first election in the Cayman Islands happened on December 10, 1831. Roughly 933 people voted.

Cayman Crystal Caves, a relatively new tourist attraction in the Cayman Islands, are natural caves that have only been recently discovered and cleared for transit.

Hell is officially located in the Cayman Islands. Actually, it’s a top tourist destination in West Bay and it’s a coastal spot with black limestone and rugged edges.

Cuba is our nearest neighbor residing about 227 miles north of our beautiful Grand Cayman.

Grand Cayman plans to offer 365 dive sites for locals and tourists someday.

The 4-mile-deep Cayman Trench is not very far from Grand Cayman but not many divers venture there.

If you’re going to rent a car on the Cayman Islands, remember to drive on the left side of the road!

Oct 10 2018

5 Things To Know Before You Visit The Cayman Islands

Your visit to the Cayman Islands is sure to be a magical one, but there are some things you can do to make sure it’s as flawless as possible. Our islands are laid-back yet posh, filled with pubs and dotted with charming theatres. To enjoy it all to the fullest, prepare yourself for a Cayman experience by noting these 5 things to know:

Go Mostly Casual with Clothing

The Cayman Islands call for mostly casual attire and lots of beachwear. Think of shorts, tank tops, sundresses, bathing suits, and flip-flops. The temperature on the islands is quite balmy year-round, so you’re not usually going to need traditional winter clothing. During July, it’s typically around 100F/37C and January often sees weather that’s a still-warm 70F/21C.

Even though you’ll probably be at the pool or on the sand for the majority of your trip, you may still want to step out to a nice dinner or see a theatrical production. For those evenings, make sure you have some special dress shoes and clothes to look and feel good in.

U.S. Visitors Shouldn’t Need to Buy New Power Plugs

The Cayman Islands are a British Colony and people drive on the left here, but we coordinate with the United States when it comes to power plugs. If you’re from the U.S., you can bring your power units from home to charge your laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Travelers with other types of power plugs are wise to bring a multi-board converter plug that can charge all necessary gadgets.

The Cayman Islands Uses Two Currencies

We use 2 currencies interchangeably in the Cayman Islands: CI (Cayman Island dollars) and U.S. dollars. You’ll find that the CI dollar is roughly 20% higher than the U.S. dollar, and you’ll see that our ATMs dispense money in both currencies.

Tipping is Expected

Tipping is standard practice in the Cayman Islands. In fact, many waiters and waitresses automatically add 15 to 18 percent of the cost of your food to your check. Make sure you check your bill before you pay to see if you should add a tip.

There’s More to Do than Visit Beaches

There’s no shortage of beaches on the Cayman Islands. From iconic Seven Mile Beach and its glistening white sand to Stingray City, a sandbar in the middle of a beautiful bay, you’re going to have plenty of places to enjoy the sun and to swim. However, our islands are much more than beaches.

We love hosting visitors at our restaurants and bars. Many pubs and dining establishments feature live music, another love of the people of the Cayman Islands. Bring your dancing shoes for a night of salsa and settle into a quaint seaside lounge for cocktails with the sunset as a backdrop.

The Cayman Islands features festivals throughout the year, such as Carnival Batabano and the Little Cayman Mardi Gras. We protect wildlife on our islands and we’re always excited to share information on native island species like turtles that live in The Cayman Turtle Farm, a conservation and research center.

These 5 tips only brush the surface of what you’ll find on Grand Cayman and its neighboring islands. For other tips on visiting the Cayman Islands, feel free to reach out to our staff.