Grand Cayman Island
In 2015, and a couple of more times since then, I visited the Grand Cayman Island. On all trips, we were brought in via a Cruise ship and then ferried from the boat to the shore by a smaller tender vessel. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite stops, and I would spend much more time there if I had the chance. Highly recommended – 5 stars.
You’re dropped off at Georgetown, one of the few ports that don’t force you through a duty-free shop. You are hustled straight into and through a mass of people who are waiting on their excursions to begin. The excursions aren’t bad, but given Grand Cayman is such a small island, you’re able to get around and do things with a taxi at a reasonable price. Pick where you want to go and have one of them take you there.
Once you get past that the entry crowd, you’re in the middle of a shopping mecca that has everything you don’t need. One of my favorite attractions and one I’ve yet to visit, is the Hard Rock Café. I will make it there one day.
I highly recommend the Turtle Centre. It is a conservation and educational center where you can actually touch and learn about the turtles. Education is provided on various types of marine life. You don’t need to go here to see iguanas as they run wild with the chickens all over the island. There is a small entry fee to the Turtle Centre.
My absolute favorite part is Stingray City which includes snorkeling and feeding the stingrays on the sand bar. Water is about waist deep for me and I’m an average height female. You will be with a lot of other boats and people. The stingrays are nothing to be afraid of. They will swim around you. Our boat captain provided food and showed us how to hold it so they would not try to eat our fingers. Once you feed them, they will continue to smack you with a wing as they swim past trying to get more food. You can pick them up for a picture!
Rum Point (free) – This is a very relaxing beach and has food and drinks. Usually the boats from Stingray City will take you there as part of their excursion.
Hell Rock Formations (free) – This is an interesting location on the far west side of the island. There are walkways for those who are disabled. There is a giftshop where you can purchase souvenirs showing you went to Hell and back.
7-mile Beach is a free beach on the island and can be reached by taxi from the port. Remember, the boat doesn’t wait on you to return, so make sure you make plans to return at a reasonable time. The water is wonderful, but at times the beach can be crowded.
Tortuga Rum and Rum Cake Factory – One of the biggest tourist traps is the Tortuga store. The rum and rum cake is wonderful. Remember that the rum is confiscated when you return to the boat. This is the same for any alcohol you may purchase while on the island. They will return it to you as you depart the ship upon your return to the USA. You are limited to 3 oz. on flights for your carry-on so plan on packing and declaring it in checked luggage for bigger portions. As we came through customs in Florida, they were confiscating the rum cake. I’m not sure this is common, but all they found in our tin was crumbs by the time we got through the line.