After you’ve enjoyed your Seven Mile Beach sunset, sampled a Mud Slide at Cayman’s Rum Deck, and visited Stingray City, you might be ready to take a step away from the tourist trail and create some unique Cayman memories. At Rum Point Club, we specialize in giving guests a peaceful experience, and here we have collected our favorite local activities to complement your enjoyment of our quieter North Side.
Feel like we are missing something, or looking for more personalized ideas? Get in touch with us and we’ll be really happy to share our local perspective on how to enjoy Grand Cayman.
1. Visit Grand Cayman’s Mangroves
Mangroves are swamp-like areas of wildlife characterized by their salt-tolerant mangrove trees. They are essential to ecosystems as they provide nurseries for fish, provide protection against storms, build quality soils, and sequester carbon.
Cayman’s Central Mangrove Wetland is known as the ecological heart of the island, providing crucial nutrients for the North Sound and helping generate rainfall for the whole island. For a total nature immersion, locals recommend paddleboarding this treasure trove.
You can explore the mangroves in various ways, but a small boat or SUP is a great option. As you explore this lesser-known gem in Grand Cayman, look out for colorful Grand Cayman Parrots and Snowy Egrets. You can easily explore the mangroves without another person in sight, making this a wonderful way to escape the Seven Mile Beach crowds.
2. Shop at the Cayman Farmers’ Market
The Cayman Farmers’ Market takes place on Huldah Avenue in George Town and is open every day, but Saturday is the most popular day for locals, with the greatest range of vendors and produce.
The farmers market is one of the few places where you can guarantee authentic Cayman products and is served by local farmers, artisans, and chefs. Come here for an original take-home holiday gift; traditional board games, hot pepper sauce, jewellery, or a handmade apron.
3. Enjoy a local Cayman picnic or takeaway
Once at the market, build yourself a Cayman picnic with coconut bread, watermelon jam, fresh-cut guava, star fruit, heirloom tomatoes, and yam cake. Or, eat directly at the market with a fantastic choice of soups, smoothies, savory patties, and cakes on offer.
4. Then, take your picnic to Cayman locals’ favorite beaches
While locals enjoy Seven Mile Beach as much as the tourists, we also know of some lovely alternatives tucked away around the island. Favorites include Cayman Kai, Barefoot Beach, Barker’s National Park Beach, Spotts Beach, Heritage Public Beach, and Colliers Public Beach.
These last two in particular are the best for barbeques and beach sports; you might even make a new local friend!
5. Join Cayman’s Blue Iguana conservation team
Although volunteering on Grand Cayman usually requires a commitment of several months, one way to get an insight into local conservation efforts is by joining Cayman’s Blue Iguana Conservation team for a half-day conservation experience.
You will join the wardens in their morning routine, learn about iguana diets and life cycles, clean the semi-wild habitats, and help with feeding time. Although this isn’t always a non-tourist activity, it is a way to get real insights into a local conservation team.
6. Explore Little Cayman and Owen Island
The only way to get to Little Cayman from Grand Cayman is by a 35-minute flight, so it’s worth making it a weekend trip. Bring your snorkeling gear along, and look out for the rare red-footed booby bird that roams the island.
Little Cayman is a world-famous diving spot, especially the Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park. Named for the numerous pirate battles that took place there, today it is known for the incredible fluorescence among the coral, as well as barracudas and reef sharks.
7. Go riding at Cayman’s Equestrian Center
Cayman’s Equestrian Center is a quiet local riding school in George Town where many locals keep their horses. They also offer riding lessons that include beginners, jumping, and dressage.
For a more touristy experience, several riding schools offer horseback tours of the island, some of which include a ‘sea swim tour’ when you go in the water with the ponies.
We hope you enjoy these experiences, and get in touch with us at Rum Point Club for more top tips for the most authentic Cayman vacation!
