Top 11 Things to Do With Kids in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is home to spectacular sandy coasts ideal for spending your days sunbathing at the beach. But that’s something you can find all over the Carribean, right? So what makes the Cayman Islands stand out? The answer is Seven Mile Beach. Painted with cerulean waters and a coral-sand coast, the six-mile beach (yes, the name doesn’t represent its length) has a worldwide reputation for extraordinary beauty. Located on the western end of Grand Cayman Island, the magical beach is lined with the region’s most spectacular resorts, restaurants and beach bars. Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa are some of the lavish resorts you’ll find standing right on the beach. Book a room with a view over the ocean and spend your vacation with your toes in the sand.

If your little ones enjoy exploring, they’ll definitely appreciate a day trip to Cayman Crystal Caves. Adorned with stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years, these hidden caves on Grand Cayman look utterly otherworldly. Tour operators organize guided walks across the rainforest that stands on top of the caves and in the caves’ hidden corners. Once a pirates-hideout, Crystal Caves are now one of the most popular attractions on the island.

The seabed in the Caribbean is spectacular to say the least. Below the water’s surface lies a whole world of colorful corals and tropical fish that can’t be found in other places around the world. While a snorkeling tour gives you a taste of marine life in the Cayman islands, nothing compares to being underwater surrounded by the ocean. Atlantis Submarines Cayman Islands offer underwater sightseeing excursions in Grand Cayman reaching up to 100 feet in depth. On Thursdays afternoon a ferry departs from Seven Mile Beach and after a short cruise along the sun-drenched coast, it takes visitors to the submarine. You can choose between a day or a night tour. Kids under 4 years old aren’t allowed to take the underwater cruise but worry not, because you can still see what the ocean bed hides from the glass-bottomed boat The Seaworld Observatory.

The Cayman Turtle Centre is an award-winning wildlife park. With ponds filled with green turtles, a saltwater lagoon inhabited by 226-kilo American crocodile and a water tank filled with predators, the renowned park attracts thousands of visitors, young and old, every year. Explore the Cayman Islands’ nature and wildlife by taking a tour at the Blue Hole Nature Trail where you’ll see national flowers and butterflies and snorkel among turtles in the Turtle Lagoon.

Everybody needs at some point to take a break from the beach even if it is a Caribbean beach we’re talking about. When this moment comes, take your family to Cayman Islands National Museum. The museum’s collection and temporary exhibitions present Caymanian history and local culture. It also offers children activities and even has a kids’ room with exhibitions to keep young ones’ interest alive.

If you’re planning on staying in Little Cayman, the smallest of the Cayman Islands, don’t miss out on a day trip to Owen Island. The tiny, remote island boasts breathtaking beaches unspoiled by tourism and feels miles away from cosmopolitan Grand Cayman. If your kids love dressing like a pirate or explorer during Halloween, then take it as a sign that they’ll love this little adventure.

Colorful gardens with Caymanian flowers and plants and a small lake habitat for aquatic birds decorate Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. The mesmerizing botanical garden is a pole of attraction mostly for those living on the east end of the Grand Cayman Island, but it should be on everyone’s list. Take a stroll at The Heritage Garden and discover plants locals used for medical purposes or take the Palm Walk and find yourself surrounded by 60 species of palms and cycad. If you’re on the island from April to June, there is an extra reason to visit Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Orchids and bromeliads flourish during this time of the year and you can even see the Wild Banana Orchid, Cayman’s National Flower.

Every kid loves water sports and there isn’t a better place in the Caribbean than the Cayman Islands for fun and safe water activities. Whether you decide to go kayaking in Bio Bay in Grand Cayman or book a Stand Up Paddleboard class, chances are the whole family will have one of the greatest days at the beach. Adventure lovers will find plenty of watersports schools offering kiteboarding classes, jet skis rentals, snorkel equipment or even thrilling jetovators. For a more unique experience, take a night kayak tour at the Bioluminescent Bay just north of Star Fish Point and watch the waters illuminate as rare plankton emit light.

Did you know that the Cayman Islands are home to one of the world’s largest skateparks? Well, now you do and you don’t have any excuses to not add it to your itinerary. Black Pearl Skate Park is situated close to Seven Mile Beach. Spanning for 59,000-square-feet, the renowned skate park has specially designed areas for skaters of all levels and ages. There is a snake run, extensions, pockets, hips and bowled areas up to 12-feet deep. Be sure to tell your kids the details, as they’ll probably appreciate them more than you. Plus there’s also a wave machine for those wanting to uncover their surfing skills.

Stand at the long sandbar at Stingray City and watch Southern Atlantic Stingrays passing by just a few inches away from you. As soon as you put your feet in the water the delicate marine animals swarm to welcome you and you even get to touch them. There are many tour operators organizing cruises to Stingray City but it’s recommended to avoid visiting while it’s overcrowded with tourists.

Being the easternmost island of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Brac is like paradise on earth. Blessed with golden-sand coasts, dense green forests and rare birds, this little island is all you need if you want to spend your vacation in nature. There aren’t many hotels on the island, but Le Soleil d’Or and Cayman Brac Beach resort offer all the required amenities to make your stay unforgettable.