Affordable Adventures in Grand Cayman

Having visited Grand Cayman on three previous occasions I feel I have pretty much visited everything there is to see of any significance on the island, so on this trip it was more a case of revisiting the places that I thought would bring me the most joy.
As midlife adventurers we are not here to eat in high end restaurants and spend the sort of budget you would if you were on a two week holiday.
This is just the start of our Caribbean adventure and we have other islands to visit. Our choice of places to visit is, therefore, influenced by this mode of travel but it doesn’t retract from having a good time. So here are a couple of ideas of things you can do without breaking the bank………

1/ Rum Point:
Within a 45 minute drive from the island’s capital -GeorgeTown and located in the picturesque district of North Side, “Rum Point” is famous for its island atmosphere, white sandy beach and shallow waters. It is an ideal spot for swimming and snorkelling. The beach hammocks, shady trees, picnic tables and delicious food beckon visitors and locals alike seven days a week.

Driving north is a wonderful experience, in itself, as it passes some beautiful scenic stretches along the coast and it was a welcoming sight to see the presence of more traditional Cayman homes, maybe because the development of new houses seems to have currently not reached this far.

Arriving at the car park I am immediately struck with how much things have changed since my last trip back in 2018.
We soon learn from the guy based at Red Sail Sports, who happens to come from England, that a complete, major refurbishment took place during 2022–2023. The whole beach front area now looks brand new, gone is the old wooden shack from which you could buy lunch and instead in its place is a much bigger, architecturally designed restaurant and bar which sweeps around the bay bringing waiting service to your sun bed!

Rum Point also now offers changing rooms, showers, huts, hammocks, snorkelling and volleyball nets. About 45 minutes from most hotels and the cruise terminal, Rum Point is well worth a day trip.
Calm, shallow waters make it perfect for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding while beach hammocks and shaded loungers invite relaxation. Alas on our visit the winds were up and so all the umbrellas were safely tethered and the sea wasn’t welcoming snorkelers which was a bit disappointing. However with FREE sunbeds, waitress service for all food and drinks we were still able to spend a good few hours here relaxing in the Caribbean sun.
Quick Tip: Don’t leave without trying the island’s legendary mudslide cocktail at the beach bar!

2/ Starfish Point:
Leaving Rum Point we head further north to Starfish Point. This is a very popular spot for both independent visitors and those on boat tours.
Firstly let me say, having visited this spot many times, there are always starfish in the water. Secondly, however, visitors are reminded that “the starfish belong in the water, it is illegal to remove them”. This means even temporarily!
If like me you appreciate seeing wildlife in their natural habitat you may find coming here a little overwhelming. There are usually a percentage of visitors who ignore that these are living creatures.
I have seen children being allowed by their parents to collect them in buckets! Or remove from the sea and place them like trophies on the sand.
Fortunately as it was a windy day we were blessed to be there this time with very few people and thus spent our time admiring these beautiful creatures under the water in their natural home.

Whilst all beaches on Grand Cayman are technically public up to the high-water mark, offering extensive access across the island, Grand Cayman has over 250 public shoreline access points. Look out for this sign on the roadside.

3/ Queen Elizabeth Botanic Garden:
Anyone that knows me is aware that I like to explore a good garden and having not been here since my first visit to Cayman back in 2015 I felt I was long overdue for a revisit.
Admission is 20 Cayman Dollars, 20 UK pounds or 25 US dollars per person.
We were happy to pay this as a contribution to the work they do here securing flora and fauna for future generations.
A small map is provided so you can meander around at your own pace. These were my key highlights:

Orchid Boardwalk:
I try my hardest to grow orchids at home and have often taken on poorly plants that friends and relatives have been gifted but have failed to thrive. My oldest plant was given to me as a house warming present back in 2005!
I am more than happy to wander around this 600 ft looping boardwalk where hundreds of orchids can be found amongst the native vegetation. Be aware that orchids do not flower year round so the amount in bloom will vary upon the season. I love to see them in their natural environment and as they are mostly categorised as epiphytes, unlike money, they do grow on trees! 

Heritage Garden:
The heritage garden stands in tribute to early 20th century Caymanian life with a colourful, restored, traditional, pink cottage as its centrepiece. It has a separate small structure used for cooking, often featuring a traditional fire hearth.
The cottage is set in a traditional white sand yard with paths lined with pink queen conch shells, a historical practice that kept the area clean and cool.
Surrounding the house is a traditional garden with a variety of fruit trees, including mango, breadfruit, and banana. The garden also features an area displaying plants traditionally used by early settlers for treating illness and injury.

Birds:
It’s definitely worth listening out for the bird song whilst you are walking around. If you stand still and listen you might even be lucky enough to spot a bird nearby in a tree or on a bush. If you are very fortunate you might be blessed with the presence of a Cayman parrot!

Iguanas:
A visit to the Botanic Gardens isn’t complete without seeing these reptiles in the wild and also, as we discovered, on this visit within the Blue Iguana Conservation Facility.
We also managed to spot a couple of agoutis whilst on the Woodland Trail.

When you have finished your visit and return to the car please heed the signs in the car park!

4/ Snorkelling:
There are many places around Cayman to snorkel and it was very much my intention to do so. If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that this is a skill I didn’t learn until midlife. I’m still not super confident but I’m getting there.
We chilled out on day one of our visit and then the remainder of our stay, when I had plans to explore various coves, beaches etc and build my ability, were unfortunately thwarted by the wind. With boats not taking visitors out to scuba dive we were advised not to pursue any snorkelling either until the winds dropped which didn’t materialise.

However these were the places I had on my list based upon my previous knowledge of the island taking my children snorkelling and also the snorkelling list I had been given by our resort:

Rum Point:

• Featuring calm, shallow, and clear turquoise waters ideal for all skill levels, particularly when swimming about 100 yards offshore to the reef.
• You can rent equipment from Red Sail Sports who operate a location on-site that provides masks, fins, snorkels, and vests for daily or weekly rentals.
• The water is shallow, calm, and protected by a barrier reef, making it safe and easy for beginners.
• For the best experience, swim out about 100 yards towards the reef and you should see abundant, colourful fish and healthy, live coral.

Spotts Beach:

• Renowned as one of the best spots on the island to swim with green sea turtles in their natural habitat.
• Located on the south coast, it offers shallow, calm waters, a sandy bottom with sea grass, and frequent sightings of turtles, stingrays, and various tropical fish.
• The water is generally calm, but strong currents can sometimes occur. The best snorkelling is typically found to the left of the dock, where a rocky area attracts more marine life.
• The beach has some shade, limited parking, and, is a more secluded, “chill” spot compared to others on the island. 

Smith Cove:

• It is easy to reach by car, with free parking available across the street. It offers easy access, calm, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life just 30 yards offshore. 
• Located near George Town, it is a popular, cost-free, and scenic location suitable for all skill levels.
• While the sandy beach area is quite small, it features beautiful scenery with rocky cliffs.
• Small restrooms are available on-site, though visitors should bring their own food and beverages.

Macabuca, West Bay Area:

• An excellent, highly-rated spot for shore snorkelling, offering easy access via ladders directly from a deck into a shallow, fish-filled iron shore cove.
• It features clear water, nearby coral, and a “mini-wall” dive site experience with coral, reef fish, jacks, and sometimes barracuda or turtles.
• Snorkelling equipment is available for rent on-site through Sun Divers, and there is a bar/restaurant right on the deck.

5/ Souvenirs and Shopping:
I thought I’d finalise this post with a few ideas of where to shop for souvenirs etc on the island:

• Beach Bubbles at Bodden Town -I have been frequenting this small shop since 2015. Owned and operated by Nina Squires, the shop, is known for its locally made, handcrafted soaps and natural skincare products. Located across from the post office.
• Pure Art Gallery & Gifts -another beautiful shop that I always visit when on Cayman.
  Contained within a charming Cayman cottage this shop, located just a mile south of George Town on South Church Street, has been a mainstay for local artists for over thirty years. Selling prints, jewellery, souvenirs and collectibles you `are sure to find something unusual to take home.
• Georgetown-the capital of the island and also the main port of call for the cruise ships. We tend to check out how many passengers are being disgorged daily before deciding which day to shop. It’s worth going into town on a day when there are less people but not when there are no ships at all as it can then lack atmosphere and feel a little abandoned.
  You may need to shop around, excuse the pun, for parking but the shopping area is very compact, making it easy to stroll to the shops, restaurants, and local attractions.
  
  George Town is famous for high-end jewellery, watches (including a large selection of Rolex), diamonds, and crystal. My hubby bought my matching engagement ring and wedding ring here back in 2018!
  Souvenir shops are numerous, though for higher-end fashion, many visitors prefer Camana Bay, located a short distance away.
  
  I hope you have enjoyed my post and appreciate that you don’t have to ‘break the bank’ to have a great time on the island. I’m more than open to feedback including those who have visited the island already. A comment or like is all I ask for 😊
  My final post, coming soon, will give you some ideas of where to eat in the East End of Cayman.