Visiting Grand Cayman is likely to be one of the most spectacular, thrilling, and memorable vacations of your life. With guaranteed sun, spectacular wildlife, and all the comforts of modern living — all you really need to do is turn up and let this paradise work its magic!
At the same time, for the most relaxing vacation, it is worth doing some advanced planning, and we have written this blog to help you keep that to a minimum.
At Red Sail Sports we have a thirty-year reputation for creating unforgettable memories that always exceed guests’ expectations. Get in touch if we can help you further in planning your trip; we always love to hear from you.
1. Plan your Cayman itinerary in advance
There is just so much to do and see on Grand Cayman that planning well will make sure you get the most out of your trip, helping you to relax while you are here.
Write a list of everything you want to fit in and be sure to build in some rest days to enjoy the paradise of our Caribbean beaches!
Some areas can get very busy at peak times, so it’s worth researching the best times to visit top attractions like Stingray City. At Red Sail Sports, we adjust our timings with the seasons and include lots of off-peak opportunities, like our sunset Stingray city trip.
If you want to try to avoid the crowds, you may also want to check out the cruise ship schedule to time your tours and experiences when there are fewer visitors in port.
2. Try Cayman Watersports
Whether you are a world champion or a total beginner, you simply cannot visit the Cayman Islands without trying out some of the incredible watersports opportunities on offer.
For those who love an adrenaline rush, try wakeboarding, waterskiing, or a waverunner ride. Wakeboarding involves riding a wakeboard behind a motorboat, reaching speeds of 15-22 mph. It was developed as a combination of snowboarding, skiing, and surfing.
Water Skiing is more well-known, and involves using one or two skis to glide behind the boat at a breathtaking pace.
At Red Sail Sports, we offer all three sports; check out our Cayman Wakeboarding and Waterskiing and Cayman Waverunner rentals.
Did you know that the adrenaline rush you get from these activities is great for your health? It releases endorphins and dopamine, which produce a rush of pleasure, a natural painkiller, and a boost in self-confidence!
We also have a luxury fleet of sailing boats for rental, or if you have never sailed before, we offer expert tuition in sailing around Grand Cayman. We love sailing for the peace it offers to enjoy the swell of the waves and gentle Caribbean breezes.
Another way to glide along the Caribbean Sea without the noise of an accompanying engine is on a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak.
At Red Sail Sports, we offer single and double kayaks, so why not take a loved one with you as you paddle across these crystal-clear, sunlight-dappled waters? We also have an extra large paddleboard that holds 4-5 people…perfect for the whole family!
Check out our Grand Cayman beach activities for information about hire and tuition.
3. Explore Grand Cayman’s beautiful wildlife
The Cayman Islands are also home to interesting wildlife. On land, the most famous are the Blue Iguana and the colorful Cayman Parrot.
Unfortunately, Blue Iguanas are now critically endangered, so the only place you can see them is at the National Queen Elizabeth Park; there are none in the wild. The Green Iguana is common, however, so you’ll likely see them scurrying about.
If you are very lucky, you might also spot a furry agouti, though they’re rare to see!
Bats are the only native mammals here, and then there’s also the vivid blue-throated anole lizards.
In the water, tent a snorkel for a technicolor display of tropical fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. Also take a moment to admire the shifting iridescence of the surrounding coral reefs.
You may also see sea turtles!
Grand Cayman is most famous, however, for its stingrays. These elegant creatures make a fascinating contribution to the local ecosystem and just watching their gently rippling bodies and curious eyes is a recipe for relaxation.
At Stingray City, you can make friends with some of the local rays as they shimmy up around your ankles for a quick hello. Most of them even have names!
Many of our Stingray City tours also include the surrounding coral reefs for a real insight into the underwater ecosystem.
Do your bit to protect this Caribbean paradise by avoiding touching the coral, participating in a Plastic Free Beach Clean Up with Plastic Free Cayman, and donating to local conservation charities, such as the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
4. Don’t miss scuba diving in Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman offers unique scuba-diving opportunities. Whether you have never tried it, or you love it so much that you want to develop your skills further, check out our premium Grand Cayman dive courses, which offer something for every level of diver.
One of the features that makes diving in Grand Cayman so remarkable is the Cayman Wall — part of the submarine Cayman Ridge mountain range that runs from Cuba to Honduras.
This is a world-renowned geological formation, providing one of the deepest underwater drops in the world, plunging to depths of over 6000 meters.
This sudden change produces an incredible transition from the shallow coastal waters to the vast ocean depths.
At higher levels, the wall is covered in coral, sponges, and sea fans. As you descend, the tropical reef fish give way to pelagic species, including tuna, marlin, and the acrobatic mahi-mahi, though you’re unlikely to see these fish as they’ll be further out than our dive sites.
We offer West Wall dive excursions and East Wall diving trips, where you can see this sea life up close, as well as experience the uncanny sensation of sudden depth that makes this geological feature so remarkable.
5. Pack well for your Cayman holiday
Grand Cayman has well-equipped shops and you can buy anything you forget here, but it is always good to have everything ready in advance! You can also check out our island retail store locations to top up your vacation wardrobe while you’re here.
Here are some of our top packing tips for the best Grand Cayman vacation:
- Reef-friendly sunscreen
- UV proof swimwear
- Long sleeves will minimize the suncream you need to use, and help to protect the reefs.
- US Dollars or Cayman Islands dollars
- Although ATMs are available and credit cards are widely accepted, it’s worth checking with your bank in advance.
- Water bottle
- At Red Sail Sports, many of our trips include drinking water, but not everywhere has reliable clean drinking water on tap.
- Travel adaptor
- On the Cayman Islands, the plug sockets are type A and B, so you will need an adaptor if traveling from the UK or EU. The adaptor needs to be suitable for 120V and 60hz
- Mosquito repellent
- Waterproof phone case — so you can capture all your watersports memories!
We are so excited on your behalf for your upcoming Grand Cayman vacation. Please get in touch with us to find out more about our wide range of tours and equipment hire.
