Nearly everyone loves the Caribbean islands - their inviting blue waters, warm temperatures and wide, beautiful sandy beaches make many of them the ideal choice for the perfect vacation. The Cayman Islands always ranks high on the list of desirable locales. They were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. The islands were originally named “Las Tortugas” because of the abundance of sea turtles, and then called the “Caymanas” from the Carib word for crocodile, the reptile which once inhabited them. The first permanent settlers arrived in the Seventeenth Century, primarily consisting of British colonists and shipwrecked sailors, with the islands officially becoming a British possession in 1670 under the Treaty of Madrid. Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory known for its pristine beaches, luxury resorts and strong focus on marine conservation.
With such a sterling reputation, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to travel there for a business meeting over a long spring weekend. There weren’t any non-stop United Airlines flights available from the Baltimore Washington Airport, which forced me to book a connecting flight through Houston. Both flights were aboard Boeing 737 aircraft with five rows in First Class in a 2 x 2 configuration. The 20 seats in the forward cabins were nearly 21” wide with 37” of pitch and featured seat-back entertainment screens with DIRECTV to keep passengers occupied. Breakfast was served on the three-hour flight to Houston and lunch was offered on my second leg. After a journey of about 2 hours and 25 minutes, we touched down at George Town’s Owen Roberts International Airport on time at about 12:30 in the afternoon. While all US citizens traveling to the Cayman Islands must carry a valid passport and pass through customs and immigration, I found the necessary procedures to be quick indeed. Less than 40 minutes after exiting the aircraft, I was in a taxi en route to the hotel some 2.4 miles distant.
We selected the Hyatt Regency Hotel as the location for our gathering and had no regrets. This resort hotel was situated on Seven Mile Beach, offering direct access to that famous stretch of sand. We checked into a nice 472-square foot Ocean View King room with access to the exclusive Hyatt Club located in a separate building on property. The club offered complimentary breakfast with snacks available throughout the day. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were the featured offering during the evening hours. The Hyatt also had multiple dining options, swimming pools, and welcome amenities like a spa and fitness center. Since the time of my visit, it’s been acquired by the Dart Group and plans are well underway to renovate and redevelop the property as a new hotel concept. It will open next year as the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa.
It was a very short walk from the hotel to the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. This long crescent of coral-sand beach on the western end of Grand Cayman island is recognized for its beauty, receiving the honor of "The Caribbean's Best Beach" in 2015 from Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine. Seven Mile Beach is one of the most popular destinations for water sports and activities in the world. This stunning stretch of sand is known for its warm, turquoise waters and gentle waves, making it perfect for some on-the-water fun. Be it swimming, surfing, jet skiing, or snorkeling, the options are endless. One popular activity in this area is stand-up paddle boarding. Other favorite water sports here include kiteboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking.
While it’s definitely a popular destination for cruise ships, Grand Cayman is more than just a pit stop on an island hopping Caribbean vacation. The 76-square-mile island is home to only 50,000 residents, and despite the small town feel, there was plenty to keep me occupied during this brief visit. After breakfast one morning, we made our way down to Camana Bay’s marina to meet up with a captain from Cayman Private Charters. We headed out on a half-day boat adventure to one of Grand Cayman’s highlights: Stingray City. This sandbar in the middle of the North Sound is protected by a reef that creates a calm area in the ocean that’s filled with stingrays accustomed to swimming with tourists. Stingray City was the real draw but our captain also took us to several other places during this four-hour trip, including Rum Point for a Mudslide; Starfish Point to check out those namesake creatures; and Coral Garden for some leisurely snorkeling.
A visit to the Cayman Crystal Caves took up the balance of our free day on the island. Situated in a lush tropical rain forest on the north side of Grand Cayman near Old Man Bay, the caves formed over millions of years and contain fossilized shells and other remnants of animal life that show they were once under water. Inside the caves were hundreds of stalactite and stalagmite crystal structures. We took advantage of the Cayman Crystal Cave Tour, a three and a half adventure that first took us deep into the jungle. After trekking through a verdant tropical forest, we made our way to the enormous caverns that were once used as pirate hideouts and are now considered one of the most intriguing destinations on the island. Our guide explained how the rock formations developed and how they were closely linked to the island’s pirate past. We were also privileged to see some of the wildlife of the Grand Caymans, including bats that make the caves their home.
Cayman may be small, but its fine dining offerings are mighty. Even foodies with the most discerning palates would confirm the island is deserving of its reputation as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” From contemporary Italian and opulent seafood spreads, to delicious Mediterranean cuisine and emboldened farm-to-table menus, Cayman’s fine dining establishments continue to push the envelope with aesthetic presentations, elaborate preparations, and new and innovative practices. The group dined at Cracked Conch, a renowned West Bay restaurant offering Caribbean delights and international fare in an unparalleled waterfront setting. Signature specialities included tender Cracked Conch and robust Conch Chowders served alongside newer classics like local Seared Snapper and Grilled Octopus.
It wasn’t hard to see why the Caymans have become so popular. Their pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, abundant marine life, relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, and excellent dining, make the islands a prime destination for a luxurious Caribbean getaway.
Until next time…safe travels.
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