Wondering what to do in Grand Cayman while your cruise ship is in port? You’re in the right place.
George Town, Grand Cayman has great snorkeling opportunities, incredible seafood restaurants, duty-free shops, and much more. I’ve stayed in Grand Cayman for a week
To help you plan an eventful trip, I’ve put together a list of the best places to visit, and restaurants to try in Grand Cayman.
Whether you want to go on a snorkeling excursion or tour a rum distillery, this list has something for everyone.
Here are 20 fun things to do in Grand Cayman on a cruise.
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Things To Do In Grand Cayman On A Cruise
1. Boat Tour To Stingray City
To see some of Grand Cayman’s top attractions in one day, I recommend going on a boat tour to Stingray City. The most popular snorkeling tour visits Stingray City, Starfish Point, and Coral Gardens all in one day.
You’ll get to swim with large stingrays at Stingray City, see bright red starfish at Starfish Point, and snorkel at the Coral Gardens. Stingray City is a floating sandbar a few miles offshore so it’s only accessible by boat.
However, you can visit Starfish Point on your own by car. Starfish Point is around an hour drive from the George Town cruise port, and is completely free to visit.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
2. Explore The Crystal Caves
Besides Stingray City, the Crystal Caves are another must-see attraction for anyone visiting Grand Cayman.
These are caves, located right in the middle of a rainforest, with stunning crystal formations, and bat colonies! The caves are located 45 minutes away from the cruise port, and there are tour guides on site.
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can go on a cave tour that includes transportation to the port and back.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
3. Visit The Cayman Turtle Centre
The Cayman Turtle Centre is a turtle farm, and the perfect place to spend a few hours off of a cruise.
This center has a large lagoon filled with dozens of sea turtles, a shark aquarium, and a children’s waterpark. From turtle snorkeling exhibits to shark feeding shows, this is an excellent place to bring kids.
Plus, they have a great restaurant and gift shop, and are just a 20 minute drive from the cruise port.
9HJP+47M, 786 Northwest Point Road, West Bay Grand Cayman KY1, West Bay 1303, Cayman Islands. Open daily 8am-5pm.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
4. Relax on Seven Mile Beach
If you want to relax on an idyllic Caribbean beach as soon as you arrive, Seven Mile Beach is the place to go.
This is Grand Cayman’s most popular public beach, and it has food vendors, water sports, and chair and umbrella rentals.
This is a great beach for swimming, and it has showers and restroom facilities on site. From the terminal, you can take a taxi to the beach, and it’s only a 5 minute drive.
612 West Bay Rd, Seven Mile Beach, George Town, Cayman Islands.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
5. Ride E-Bikes Along The Coast
Grand Cayman is filled with natural beauty. A unique way to explore the island is to go on an e-bike tour.
You’ll get to visit sites like Cemetery Beach, the Cayman Turtle Center, and Barker’s National Park, while cruising along the coast on electric bikes!
This is a great way to learn about the island’s history, and get insight on the best restaurants from a local.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
6. Shop For Handmade Soap At Beach Bubbles
Located in Bodden Town, Beach Bubbles is a charming shop that sells handmade soaps and skincare products.
They have some of the best prices on the island, so they’re a great place to buy gifts to bring home. They’re located 20 minutes from the cruise port, and closed Sundays.
187 Bodden Town Rd, Bodden Town, Cayman Islands. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
7. Snorkel At Cemetery Beach
Just north of Seven Mile Beach, Cemetery beach is a serene beach with calm waters perfect for snorkeling.
With natural shade from trees, this is a great place to relax if you want to avoid crowds. There’s restrooms on site, picnic tables, and easy parking across the street.
It’s a 15 minute drive from the cruise port, and you can take a taxi or bus to the beach (for around $2.50 per person).
West Bay, Cayman Islands
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
8. Visit The Cayman Islands National Museum
Established in 1990, the Cayman Islands National Museum is a small museum dedicated to preserving Caymanian heritage.
Situated within walking distance from the port, this is the perfect first stop off of a cruise. It costs $8 to enter, and has tons of interesting exhibits on the geography and culture of the island.
7JV8+HWR, 3 Harbour Dr, George Town, Cayman Islands. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm. Entry costs $8 per person.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
9. Try Traditional Cayman Cuisine
Grand Cayman is a seafood lovers paradise. If you’re a foodie, you can go on a Cayman food tour to try authentic local cuisine.
You’ll get to sample local restaurants, try tropical fruit at the farmers market, and stop by a gelato shop for dessert.
The tour also includes a stop at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, and the Cayman Spirits Co distillery.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
10. Visit Pedro’s Castle
Built in 1780, Pedro’s Castle is the oldest stone building in Grand Cayman.
This long standing building has been used as a cotton plantation, courthouse, and jail, and it remains an important piece of the island’s heritage.
You can learn about the history on a self-guided or guided tour. Additionally, there’s a restaurant on site that offers rum tastings. It’s a 15 minute drive from the cruise port.
Pedro Castle Road, Savannah, KY1-1501, Cayman Islands. Open 8:30am–4pm.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
11. Tour A Rum Distillery
The Cayman Islands are known for their signature Seven Fathoms Rum, made with organic sugarcane.
You can go on a guided rum tour of Cayman Spirits Co. to learn how the rum’s made, sample different varieties, and purchase bottles from their gift shop.
65 Bronze Road Box, Bronze Rd, Cayman Islands. Open 9am-5pm. Closed Sundays
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
12. Enjoy Dessert From Gelato & Co
For dessert, head to Gelato & Co to try some of the best ice cream in the Cayman Islands.
From fresh mango sorbet to Seven Fathoms Rum flavored gelato, they have many unique flavors you won’t want to miss trying out.
They also serve excellent coffee, and are less than a 10 minute drive from the cruise port.
7 Harbour Dr, George Town, Cayman Islands. Open Mon–Thur 8am–10pm, Fri-Sun 8am-11pm.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
13. Shop Around Camana Bay
Not far from Seven Mile Beach, Camana Bay is a small town with excellent shopping and dining options. It has a cinema, upscale boutiques, waterfront restaurants, and a Starbucks.
This is a great plaza to stroll around, and it’s only 10 minutes away from the cruise port.
10 Market St, KY1-9006, Cayman Islands.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman Cruise port
14. Enjoy Seafood On The Water
Within walking distance to the cruise port, the Lobster Pot is an incredible waterfront seafood restaurant.
From lobster bisque to coconut shrimp, seafood lovers won’t want to miss trying out this place.
Lobster Pot: 245 North Church Street Grand Cayman KY1, 1107, Cayman Islands. Open Sun-Fri, 11:30am–2:30pm, 5-10pm. Sat 5-10pm. Happy hour: 5-7pm
For more locally inspired cuisine, Peppers Bar & Grill is another great choice not far from the cruise port. They serve seafood, handmade pizzas, and authentic local dishes like jerk chicken.
Peppers Bar & Grill: 426 West Bay Road Grand Cayman KY1, 1201, Cayman Islands. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-10pm, Sun 11:30am–9pm. Happy hour: 4-7pm.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
15. Shop For Souvenirs At Pure Art Gallery
Pure Art Gallery & Gifts is a charming store that sells everything from handmade jewelry to locally made arts and crafts.
They’re a great place to shop for unique souvenirs, and they’re less than a 5 minute drive from the cruise terminal.
KY1-1105Way, Grand Cayman Grand Cayman, 5 Denham Thompson Way, George Town KY1-1109, Cayman Islands. Open 9am–5pm daily, closed Sundays.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
16. Snorkel In Smith’s Barcadere
Smith’s Barcadere or “Smith’s Cove” is a stunning beach with crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling.
This beach has benches, restrooms, and showers shower facilities on site, and easy parking across the street. It’s located right near Pure Art Gallery, just a 5 minute drive from the cruise port.
S Church St, George Town, Cayman Islands.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
17. Visit The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is a small art museum with impressive local artwork, and a gorgeous outdoor garden.
It’s free to visit, so it’s worth stopping by on the way to Seven Mile Beach or Camana Bay.
Esterly Tibbetts Hwy, Cayman Islands. Open 10am-5pm daily, closed Sundays.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
18. Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a beautiful botanical garden with wild blue iguanas, parrots, and tropical flowers. It’s located on the North Side of Grand Cayman, so it’s a 40 minute drive from the cruise port.
If you love animals, I recommend visiting the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary and Tukka East End Restaurant as well. They’re both located on the east end of the island, around 40 minutes away from the cruise port.
The parrot sanctuary has everything from cockatoos to guinea pigs, and hands–on exhibits for kids. Tukka East End is a popular waterfront restaurant that has Frigate bird feeding shows everyday at 5pm.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. 8R8J+9RQ, North Side, Cayman Islands. Open daily 9am-4:30pm. Entry cost $20 per adult, $10 for kids.
Cayman Parrot Sanctuary. 835 Austin Conolly Dr, Grand Cayman KY1-1801, Cayman Islands. Open Wed–Sun 9am–4pm. Costs $16 for adults, $10 for kids.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
19. Eat Unlimited BBQ At Macabuca Bar
Located right next to the Cayman Turtle Center, Cracked Conch Macabuca is a waterfront restaurant and bar with beautiful ocean views.
They serve great drinks, seafood, and have an unlimited BBQ buffet on Monday nights. It’s on the coast of Turtle Reef, so you can snorkel right from the shore as well.
857 N W Point Rd, West Bay, Cayman Islands. Open Mon-Fri 11am-1am, Sat–Sun 11am–12am.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman On a Cruise
20. Swim With Dolphins At Dolphin Discovery
Just 20 minutes from the cruise port, Dolphin Discovery Park is another great place to visit with kids. This is a large dolphin habitat that offers swimming with dolphins, and free dolphin shows.
The fee to swim with dolphins also covers entrance to the Cayman Turtle Centre, which is right across the street from the park.
787 Northwest Road, West Bay KY1-1209, Cayman Islands. Open Mon-Sat 9am–5pm, closed Sundays.
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