The single most compelling reason to visit the Cayman Islands is to bask in the sand and the waves of the incredible picturesque Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman!
This iconic beach on Grand Cayman has won multiple awards; it was ranked the 4th best beach in the Caribbean by TripAdvisor and the 12th beach in the world by MSN.
It is also named “one of the Ultimate Beaches in the region” by Caribbean Travel + Life, so the list of travel authorities supporting the astoundedness of this beach is solid.
No wonder travelers from all across the planet venture to this island for a tropical getaway when they want to visit the Caribbean!
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What Are The Cayman Islands Known For?
The Cayman Islands, or just the Caymans, is a small island group consisting of three islands in the Caribbean Sea, situated south of Cuba and west of the Dominican Republic.
These three islands are Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Grand Cayman, and the biggest one, Grand Cayman.
Nature enthusiasts, scuba divers, water sports lovers, and travelers who enjoy deep-sea fishing favor Cayman Brac to the east.
Little Cayman provides spectacular scuba diving, especially at Bloody Bay Marine Park, with the Bloody Bay Wall chimney and archway dive sites.
Grand Cayman is the largest island, home of George Town, the Cayman Islands’ capital city. It is also home to places like Hell (a small crazy rock formation) and Stingray City, globally, one of best places to swim with stingrays and get a wet kiss from one!
Apart from being a tropical paradise, the Caymans are known for being a sparkling tax haven. As a Caribbean British overseas territory, it is also one of the world’s largest financial centers. The island is said to have more businesses than people!
This also reflects the prices; the Caymans are not a cheap or backpacking-friendly destination. However, what makes up for that is incredible marine and underwater experiences and lots of things to do above and below water.
And, of course, the coveted white sands of the Seven Mile Beach!
Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman
The Seven Mile Beach stretches along Grand Cayman’s western coast for just around six miles (weirdly). Additionally, it is the largest and the most popular beach in the whole of the Caymans.
With beautiful white sand, it is the ultimate place for lounging, beach-bar’ing, swimming, playing in the waves, and various water sports.
Most of the luxury hotels and resorts on Grand Cayman are also located along the island’s western coast, only a stone through from the Seven Miles Beach.
Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman Fun Activities
You will not be bored spending a few days on Seven Mile Beach!
There are a variety of activities to embark on along the shore. You can even book several of them directly on the beach.
Why not try parasailing, paragliding, water skiing, a leisurely stand-up paddleboard experience, snorkeling, or renting a jet ski?
Snorkeling Along Seven Mile Beach
Snorkeling is generally not great directly from the beach, as very few coral reefs are within swimming distance. Hence, there is only little marine life to see right on the beach.
However, a few spots are suitable for snorkeling along Seven Mile Beach if that makes a great beach day for you.
If you go to Governors Beach, you will see a white buoy off the sands, marking a reef within swimming distance where you have fun things to see.
You can also go to Cemetery Beach, where you must swim for 7-8 minutes to find the best parts of a vibrant reef outside this beach.
Lastly, you can head to the part of Seven Mile Beach in front of the Marriott Hotel. They have submerged hundreds of balls in the turquoise water to create artificial reefs. The result is an area teeming with tropical fish and marine life!
If one of your main goals for visiting Grand Cayman is incredible snorkeling among colorful fish, don’t worry – there are plenty of places to go for that experience!
13 Best Places To Snorkel In Grand Cayman:
- Devil’s Grotto
- Sunset House
- Lighthouse Point
- Collins Beach
- Eden Rock
- Smith Cove
- Cayman Kai Beach
- Spotts Beach
- Cheeseburger Reef
- Turtle Reef
- Barefoot Beach
- Rum Point
- Stingray City
Stingray City is a shallow sand bank off the coast of Grand Cayman, so you need a boat tour to get here. During the excursion, you’ll stand waist-high in the crystal-clear waters and swim with the stingrays up close and personal. What an incredible experience!
Stingray City attracts hundreds of tourists daily and isn’t an intimate experience. However, the shallow waters provide an adventure for non-swimmers, where you can hold and even kiss a stingray!
Top Stingray City Tours
- Inexpensive Stingray Tour which includes one snorkeling stop
- Stingray City, Snorkel and Lunch a 5-hour adventure with seafood lunch
- Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkel three stops with free shuttle pick-up
You can also rent a car or an e-bike and fly across the island on your own or book a spot on an organized tour that takes you to the best snorkeling.
Seven Mile Beach Bars And Clubs
For a luxurious beach bar experience, head over to Saint June at the Ritz Carlton close to Governors Beach. Bask in unprecedented views of the soft sand and the sea while savoring exquisite cocktails. You can choose from a varied lunch or a sunset romantic dinner menu.
For a more laid-back casual experience, stop at Tortuga Beach Bar for fresh local seafood prepared and enjoyed on the beach al fresco in the open air!
I recommend you go here at the end of your beach day for a stunning sunset with sand between your toes and still enjoying the best food, drinks, and service.
A slightly hidden gem that gets five-star reviews is Ms. Piper’s Kitchen and Garden, right behind the South Bay Beach Club. The lunches are super tasty. It gets even better with a charming interior and excellent service, accompanied by a tropical cocktail!
To no surprise, the most perfect places to stay in Grand Cayman are also located along the West Bay Road that follows Seven Mile Beach’s sandy shores.
Many have direct beach access and pools, and some have their own beach bars and restaurants. Either way, you are never far away from an establishment that will offer refreshments, a meal, or even a massage!
Where To Stay
Along Seven Mile Beach, smaller hotels and bigger resorts offer accommodations depending on your preferred stay.
Starting in the southern part of the beach near Camana Bay, you will find the Hamptons by Hilton with top reviews, a pool, a garden, and direct access to the public beach.
A bit further north, you can opt for a pampering luxury experience at the Caribbean Club Luxury Condo Hotel. Here, you will live in “your own” luxury home with all necessary and unnecessary amenities while enjoying the ambiance of a luxury resort and stunning pool while being steps from the beach.
Even further north, you find the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa. With elegant rooms with large windows, a stunning pool by the beach, and the spa, this is a paradise resort to stay along the famous Seven Mile Beach.
Things To Do In Grand Cayman
Even with the sandy paradise right outside your door, don’t forget that Grand Cayman offers lots of adventures for travelers. Venture off on the mainland, or head out to sea, your choice!
Spend a day at Camana Bay, a pleasant suburb coastal town north of George Town. Camana Bay is modern and elegant yet still has a village feel. It has a charming square facing the mangroves inside Seven Mile Beach.
At Camana Bay, you find great shopping, dining to enjoy local cuisine, and cafes for a quick stop or a long, bottomless mimosa lunch!
I also recommend renting an e-bike for a day and exploring the West End at your own pace. You can stop in plenty of spots for a dip in the water along the beach or go to Hell (the famous little rock formations on the island).
Stop by the Turtle Center, where you can meet the green sea turtles without getting wet (if you want to, you can also swim with them).
On top of West Bay, north of Seven Mile Beach, you can ride and swim with horses! Starting from Restaurant Papagallo on the northernmost point, this is an incredibly serene and beautiful experience.
And don’t worry if you have never been on horseback before; the horses are calm, and the guides will help you.
If you love watersports, rent kite surfing equipment on Grand Cayman or go for a kayaking tour in the mangroves from the Cayman Islands Yacht Club. And for a memorable snorkeling experience, join a night snorkeling tour to swim with bioluminescent plankton!
The east end of Grand Cayman is the more “rugged” part of the island and is best explored with an organized tour or by renting a car to do your own thing.
Start by driving out to Bodden Town along the southern shores. As the original capital of the Caymans, you can see remnants of the early colonial history on the island.
Also, stop at the blowholes outside Half Moon Bay, a place where the sea comes rushing through holes in the rocks on the shore, making almost a geyser effect!
Take the scenic route along the coast up to the island’s north side and stop at Barefoot Beach (yes, the one for snorkeling).
Then end your sightseeing day at Rum Point, a beach village where you can relax in a hammock or go snorkeling. Have a late lunch at Rum Point Club or The Wreck Bar and Grill, and watch the sunset from the pier!
How To Get To Seven Miles Beach From George Town
The Seven Mile Beach starts around a mile from the outskirts of George Town, so it is a stretch to walk here.
As Grand Cayman does not have Uber or Lyft (they do have an app called Flex, but with few drivers, so you might need to wait a bit), the most convenient option is to call a taxi.
Also, mini-buses drive up and down the West End along West Bay Road. The routes along West Bay are number 1WB yellow and the 2WB green, running every few minutes.
There are no designated stops, so look for the “bus” sign in the window and hail one anywhere. The fare is just $2.50, and you can hop on and off wherever you need to!
How To Get To Seven Mile Beach From Grand Cayman Airport
From the Owens Roberts International Airport, it is about a ten-minute drive with a taxi or a rental car to Seven Mile Beach. You can hail a taxi outside the arrival at the airport, and the fare will be $25.
It is possible to find a public bus, but it does not stop by the airport terminal. The route West Bay 3’s nearest stop is at David Foster Drive outside the airport, and the bus drives along West Bay Road.
You can also book a private airport shuttle from the airport online before you arrive; several companies offer this service online.
How To Get To Grand Cayman
To get to the iconic Seven Mile Beach, you first need to get yourself to the island in the first place!
Traveling from Miami in the United States to the Grand Cayman Airport: Owen Roberts International Airport is a flight of around one and a half hours.
Various airlines have direct flights from most major travel hubs in the US, making the journey easy and swift!
Grand Cayman, along with Cozumel, Belize City, and Roatan, is also a popular stop on a Caribbean cruise. Cruise Lines anchor off George Town, and guests must tender to get ashore. Grand Cayman is one of the most popular destinations for its Stingray tours.
FAQs Seven Mile Beach And Grand Cayman
What is the best part of Seven Mile Beach?
The north to middle part of the Seven Mile beach is considered the best area, as it has a broader beach with the most sand.
When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman?
Grand Cayman’s dry season (also the high season) runs from December through May each year and is the best time for visitation. Within this period, the loveliest time to visit is between January and May, when the temperatures are super friendly and rain showers are scarce.
If you’re traveling by cruise ship, Grand Cayman makes a great cruising destination in January for lower prices and cooler weather.
Grand Cayman lies in the hurricane belt, where half the year is considered the wet season. This period runs from June through October, the cheapest season to travel here, but you must expect rain and “a lot of” weather.
Is Grand Cayman Safe?
Grand Cayman is considered one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, with a very low crime rate.
Is Grand Cayman expensive?
Yes, Grand Cayman is generally among the most expensive destinations in the Caribbean. However, first time visitors can find nice places to stay within a budget, but they will not find cheap hostels in Grand Cayman.
How To Get From Grand Cayman To Little Cayman
If you want to travel from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman, you must get on a flight, as there are no ferries.
You can book a domestic flight with Cayman Airways, which has regular flights between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.
How To Get To Seven Mile Beach From A Cruise Ship?
Cruise passengers can travel to Seven Mile Beach from the cruise terminal in George Town. This is about a 10-minute drive by taxi or shore excursion.
Wrap-Up Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman
Not only does Grand Cayman have one of the best beaches in the world, but there are also many fun things to do, beautiful places to stay, and fantastic food to try when visiting the island.
Whether you prefer to explore by car or bike, join a tour, or stay lounging by the pool or on the beach, Grand Cayman will not disappoint you.
So, start planning your Caribbean getaway to this amazing little place, bring sunscreen and your swimsuit, and prepare for a genuinely paradisiacal holiday!
