Why the Cayman Islands Should be Your Next Vacation
When I picture the Caribbean, I picture the Cayman Islands. My first inspiration to visit the Cayman Islands was my parents because they spent a year living on Grand Cayman when they were in their 20’s. They used to show me pictures of their time living in the Cayman’s and I knew I had to visit for myself. I must admit, I always dreamed of living in the Caribbean for a year just like my parents did, but they were able to make it work through both working in Public Accounting which unfortunately I do not.
What they told me about the Cayman’s was snorkeling and diving every weekend, fishing, and in general bumming on the beach. The Cayman Islands are flat with white sandy beaches and turquoise water. The best part about the Cayman’s is getting a condo or Airbnb right on the beach, called ‘7 Mile Beach’. You can stay at fancy resorts, but I much preferred having a private beach. You can walk along the beach for miles and be the only one and then you hit the resorts and there is 100 people packed in a tiny stretch of beach.
If you have been reading my blog thus far, you may have realized I am documenting my travels retroactively. I have a lot of inspiring stories, thoughts, and photos in relation to my travels. Unfortunately what slips through the cracks is where to eat, where to stay, etc. I hope even though the details may have left my brain, I can still explain how this destination made me feel. I think this point is very important because years later, you too will remember how amazing of a trip you had, not the specifics. I want to impress upon you my experience so you can be inspired to visit as well. The funnest part of travelling can be the ‘inspiration’ stage where you desperately search the internet for where to go and why to go there.
Why Visit the Cayman Islands?
Staying right on the beach – I touched upon this before, but the ability to walk outside your condo and be right on the beach is huge. I’m not talking you are at a fancy resort with a ton of people, I mean you have your own private beach. No need to drive or find a beach to visit! Every day, I brought an ice cold drink and my snorkel gear to our designated beach chairs. I would end up sitting on a pool floaty in the ocean as if it were a pool. It is paradise. There is really no other word for it.
Snorkeling and diving – The Cayman Islands are known for their world class diving and snorkeling. The fish are colorful and plentiful. I saw huge groupers, stingrays, and schools of fish. I would go right off the beach that I was staying at. Just explore! You never know what you will see.
Warm water – this goes for all of the Caribbean but I cannot stop raving about the warm water! Don’t get me wrong, I loved Hawaii, but I LOVE the warm water in the Cayman’s. I love snorkeling and not getting cold or fighting choppy water. It is just comfortable and the water is what makes the Cayman’s paradise. Not only is it warm, but it is also calm! You can literally stand waste deep in the middle of the ocean as if it were a pool!
Sting Ray City – MUST MUST MUST. There is this tour you can do where you take a boat out to the middle of the ocean where all these stingrays congregate. This is a totally unique spot to the Cayman’s that you cannot do anywhere else!! The tour guides help you hold a sting ray in your arms! The rays can feel if you are nervous so you have to remain calm and kind of follow their movements. I got yelled at by the instructor for not relaxing enough! What can I say, it was scary! Holding the stingrays was thrilling! That being said when one brushed my foot when I was not paying attention I jumped right out of my own skin! My dad wouldn’t go near them; it was pretty funny. Bring an underwater camera if you have one! The water is like a pool, but I brought my iPhone and did some considerable water damage to it. Those moments where I was jumping up, all concern for my phones safety would go out the window and I would dunk it in the water…
Rum Point – okay even if you just go for the name alone this is a must. I felt like I belonged in the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie going to Rum Point. It is a super scenic spot at the far end of the island. You guessed it, there is rum! The view for sunsets here is to die for. Be sure to come hang out for a couple hours to enjoy the sunset and get dinner.
Rum Cake – Tortuga Rum Cake is an island specialty. I don’t even know how to describe it. It is kind of like a spongy, tan, pineapply cake. That probably doesn’t sound that appetizing, but it is so good!
These are the highlights of a Cayman Island vacation. Of course go explore: take a walk along the beach, find the best happy hour, etc, but the highlight of your trip will be laying beach side with a bottle of rum. Because of the ability to stay right on the beach, I wasn’t as focused on exploring as I was on oozing up every ounce of sunshine on my private beach.One packing tip, bring bug spray because after one night I got attacked by mosquitoes. I immediately bought some the next day and I was much happier at night.
You will love a Cayman Island vacation!
