One of the best things about visiting Grand Cayman Island is the many white sand beaches that circle the island. Chief among these is Seven Mile Beach, a wide expanse on the west side of the island. These beaches provide a beautiful backdrop for a number of activities, from snorkeling to enjoying a morning cup of coffee or an evening cocktail. A varied collection of area beach bars line the beaches of Grand Cayman Island. Below are a few of our Grand Cayman beach bar favorites:

1. Coconut Joe’s. Located in the heart of the Seven Mile Beach resort area, Coconut Joe’s has been served beach drinks for more than 20 years. It’s also a popular breakfast spot. The decor is no-frills. You might even see a few chickens wandering around. However, the food and drinks are top notch and affordable. The view: incomparable

Coconut Joe’s, 562 West Bay Rd., Grand Cayman Islands; 345 943-5637

2. Macabuca Oceanside Tiki Bar. This remote beach bar is worth the trip. Located on the northwest tip of the island, Macabuca is one of the best places on Grand Cayman to watch the sun set. Situated right at the water’s edge, this beach bar offers a full drink menu, live entertainment and some of the best sea views on Grand Cayman.

Macabuca Oceanside Tiki Bar, Northwest Point Rd., West Bay, Grand Cayman Island; 345 945-5217

3. My Bar. Located in the heart of bustling Georgetown, My Bar is a rustic oasis and a great place to relax after a full day of shopping and sightseeing. This open-sided wooden cabana is situated right at the water’s edge and has been voted the best bar in the Caribbean by “Travel + Leisure” magazine.

My Bar, 390 South Church St., Sunset House, Grand Cayman; 345 945-1383

4. Kaibo Beach Bar and Grill. Originally built in the 1970s to host HRH Queen Elizabeth when she visited the island, this beach bar is located at the Cayman Kai marina, a 15-minute ferry ride from Camana Bay. The ambiance is beach shack, but the menu boasts more than 40 different island rums. They also offer live entertainment several nights a week.

Kaibo Beach Bar and Grill, 585 Water Cay Rd., Northside, Grand Cayman Island; 345 947-9975

While duty-free shopping, swimming with the stingrays and snorkeling and diving among Grand Cayman’s beautiful coral reefs may be the best known activities, you’re sure to regret leaving the island without savoring at least one cup of coffee or cocktail at a quirky and relaxing Grand Cayman beach bar.

 

There are certain things you expect when you decide to take your family on a vacation to the Caribbean. Lots of sunshine, white sand beaches, clear blue ocean waters, palm trees, exotic food, luxurious hotels, and plenty of friendly local flavor. And Grand Cayman Island has more of these things than one could ever want.

But Grand Cayman has a lot to offer, a lot of different choices, and it pays to know a little bit about the island and its treasures before you go so you can choose the places that best fit you and your family’s unique tastes and interests.

Here’s a quick guide to the things to consider when planning your family vacation to Grand Cayman Island. You’ll find a few options listed under each subheading, but remember this is by no means a comprehensive list. As always it pays to do your research before you leave on any trip. You’ll be amazed at the sheer variety of things to do and places to see on Grand Cayman Island.

That said, here’s a short primer on how to have an unforgettable time on your family vacation to Grand Cayman.

• The beaches. Obviously one of the main attractions. The above mentioned white sands and clear blue waters abound here. Seven Mile Beach tends to be the most popular, with upscale hotels, restaurants, and attractions along its length. It’s been called the best in the Caribbean. But there are literally dozens of other public access beaches on the island, each with it’s own personality. West Bay Public Beach is considered a bit more family friendly and quiet, and if it’s snorkeling you’re looking for, you might give Rum Point a try.
• The restaurants. When you’re ready to head out and try some of the local fare and seafood, you have a plethora of excellent choices. The Cracked Conch has been a local favorite for 35 years, with great ocean views. The Calypso Grill is great for a date night, and Morgan’s at the Yacht Club is famous for its daily fresh catch.
• The sights. There are a lot of things to do inland on the island too. The Cayman Islands National Museum documents the fascinating history of the islands, along with geological and biological information, and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park showcases the unique and beautiful flora and fauna of the region.

These are just a handful of suggestions. So do your homework, and have a great time on Grand Cayman Island.

 

When preparing for your vacation on Grand Cayman Island, one of the biggest chores, as it is for any trip, is figuring out what to pack. You already have a general idea of course. Packing for a stay in the Caribbean is different than for, say, Alaska.

But there are a few differences in the Cayman Islands that necessitate bringing some things you might not have considered. And of course it’s always a good idea to have a checklist to work from.

Needing something on vacation and realizing you didn’t bring it takes away from the fun, enjoyment, and relaxation that is supposed to be the whole reason you’re there. And neglecting some things can cause you a real hassle and even physical harm.

So here’s a helpful list of things you need to pack for your vacation to Grand Cayman Island. A lot of them will be obvious, but it’s alway better to include them on a checklist, no matter how much of a no-brainer.

Essential Items For Your Caribbean Trip

• Passport and other documents. This is probably the most important thing. You don’t want to have to run home and get them and maybe miss your flight or cruise.
• Warm weather clothing. It’s tropical weather after all. Bring a variety of things. But pack a light jacket too.
• Shoes. Think light and comfortable. Flip-flops and sandals, tennis shoes, but also something a little dressier for a night out.
• Bathing suits. Of course, but the thing is you might want to bring more than one. They don’t dry very fast in the high humidity..
• Hats and sunglasses. Anything that will help keep those brutal solar rays off of the more vulnerable parts.
• Sunscreen lotion. Choose a brand with a high SPF rating, and don’t forget the lip balm. Since you’ll probably get burned anyway, a bottle of aloe vera can help a lot.
• Insect repellent. You’ll probably want to get away from the beach and head inland to view some of the spectacular flora and fauna, so be prepared for the bugs.
• Snorkeling gear. If you plan on doing any snorkeling, bringing your own gear will save on rental fees or having to buy some.
• Bottle opener. A lot of beverages in the Caribbean are still sold in glass bottles with caps that you need an opener for. Just pick up a cheap one for your keyring.

There are other things you’ll need to pack of course, like your camera, phone, charging equipment, etc. But these basics will serve you well on your trip to Grand Cayman Island.

Trying to decide what to pack for your Caribbean trip? Here are some basic you’ll want to include.Trying to decide what to pack for your Caribbean trip? Here are some basic you’ll want to include.

Traveling with a group has a lot of advantages. Whether it’s a church group, a group of friends from the neighborhood or a college alumnae group, it’s nice to share your travel experiences with people who share your interests and values. However, not all travel activities are well-suited to groups. You don’t want to choose an activity that will be too crowded for all of your group members to enjoy or that will struggle to accommodate all of your people. For the most enjoyable experience, consider choosing one of the following types of activities…

1. Motorcoach sightseeing tours. Motorcoach tours are ideal for groups, since the entire unit of up to 42 members can travel together and share stories, photo ops and giggles. You can even ask the guide to customize your tour to match your group’s specific interests. For instance, if you are a group of writers, the guide can make sure to point out the local haunts of famous authors and poets.
2. A day at the beach. Most beaches, such as Three Mile Beach on Grand Cayman Island, have more than enough room for group members to spread out and enjoy their favorite beach activity. This can range from lying under an umbrella and reading a novel to exploring the aquatic life just offshore by snorkeling or renting a jet ski and riding the harbor waves.
3. Farm or factory tours. Another good choice for groups is to tour a local farm, arts and crafts studio or factory. Not only will your group members learn something about the local customs, art and economy, but such sites are usually accustomed to handling groups of all sizes. One good example is the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm, where visitors can learn more about and interact with the endangered green sea turtle.
4. Food markets. While an individual restaurant can be overwhelmed when 40+ people descend on it, a food market, outdoor food court or restaurant district can more easily accommodate a large group, while still offering an enjoyable experience.
5. A boat or barge tour. Yet another good choice for a group activity is to take a boat tour. Like a motorcoach tour, this mode of transportation keeps your members all together where they can interact. You can even choose a boat tour with a meal or other activity like snorkeling or whale-watching.

Traveling with a group shouldn’t have to mean long lines and tiresome waiting. By choosing activities that are well-suited to large groups, such as motorcoach tours, farm or factory tours and beach days, you can make sure that everyone has an enjoyable and memorable vacation.