The Port of Grand Cayman
This guide is tailored for cruise passengers visiting Grand Cayman.
About the Port: Cruise ships anchor at the harbor and tender the passengers to either North or South George Town docks. Depending on the size, the tenders can accommodate 50-300 passengers at a time.
About the Island: Grand Cayman is the largest island of Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean. It is a British Overseas territory, the governor of which is appointed by Queen Elizabeth II. Georgetown is the capital city and the seat of government. The population of Grand Cayman is around 40,000.
Sights & Attractions
Tours
Tours are the best way to see the island in a short period of time. Tour packages of cruise liners ($50) are more expensive than the ones offered by the local agencies ($15-$20). Besides providing the basic information about the island, you will be guided to the Governer’s mansion, Hell, the Tortuga Rum Factory, Sea Turtle Farm, and 7 Mile Beach.
Attractions
Seven Mile Beach is filled with soft white sand and was once a target for pirates. Today, it attracts swimmers and sunbathers. Umbrellas, food, drink, and WIFI are available on site. Ironically, the beach is only 5.5 mile long.
Hell is a collection of black sandstone formations in West Bay. Tourists are not allowed to step on the short rocks, but have access to observation docks. They say the name originated from the echoing sound that a rock thrown between the rocks, as if falling all the way down to hell. There are many Hell-souvenirs, and you can mail a postcard to friends saying “From Hell.” Reserve around 15-20 minutes, but only if you’re a fan of geological formations.
Stingray City consists of sandbars, where a big number of stingrays are found. It’s ideal for snorkeling, petting, and feeding the stingrays. The crew will provide a short training and assist during your visit.
Cayman Turtle Farm is the only such attraction in the world. It features a small jungle, a pool of baby turtles your kids can swim with, tanks with sharks, an aviary, water slides and much more. It also houses the largest pool on the Cayman Islands. Reserve around 4 hours and $10-$40 for this.
Davinoff's Concrete Sculpture Garden is a collection of clumsy stone sculptures that are made by a local.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Garden is a great tropical park, where you might accidentally come across unique animals and birds as well.
History & Culture
History
The islands were discovered by Cristopher Columbus, who named it Las Tortugas (meaning “the turtles”) due to the vast population of turtles around the islands. These were later renamed Caimanau, which means “a crocodile” in Carib Indian. In fact, the turtle population nearly disappeared after the discovery of the island, as the turtles were often hunted for meat.
Culture
Cayman Islands were formed from limestone and are surrounded by coral reefs. It is most famous for white sandy beaches, shopping, underwater fauna and flora.
Eating/Drinking
The local cuisine consists of seafood, particularly conch. Cayman Mama is a local cocktail made from rum and fruit juices.
Beachfront and Georgetown cafes near the docks are always busy with cruise passengers, which is why the menu is more expensive there than in other places.
Climate: The tourist season starts in November and extends to April, as the winter offers no rain and lots of sun. The average temperature is 30°C in summer and 25°C in winter.
Language: The official language of Cayman Islands is British English.
Currency: The local currency is Cayman Islands dollar. One US dollar equals to 80 Cayman cents.
Internet Connection
Café del Sol, Daily Grind, Thai House Restaurant, Grand Old House, Hard Rock Café, and Full of Beans Café, are located near the docks and have free WIFI. Other cafes with free WIFI are Treats Restaurant, Paperman’s Coffee House, Hemingway’s Restaurant, etc.
Transportation
Public transport consists of buses that start their routes to other regions from Georgetown. The routes are marked with colors (yellow, green, blue, red). The operating hours are from 6:00am to 9:00pm (sometimes even till midnight). Buses are waved to stop, you should also alert the driver for your station to step out. Drivers accept US dollars as well, but change is given only in local currency. The ticket fare is $2.50.
There are many taxis near the docks. The taxi stand states the fixed fares for standard destinations. The price may refer either to the vehicle or a single passenger.
The islands are great for bicycles, the rentals of which are found in hotels. The average price for a one-day rental is $15.
This AI-generated guide, courtesy of ChatGPT, is tailored for cruise passengers arriving in Grand Cayman for the first time.
Grand Cayman, a tropical paradise in the Caribbean, invites you to explore its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Make the most of your limited time and immerse yourself in the beauty of this island.
Grand Cayman is renowned for its stunning Seven Mile Beach, vibrant underwater life at Stingray City, and duty-free shopping in George Town.
Indulge in local Caribbean flavors. Try the renowned conch dishes, freshly caught seafood, or enjoy a beachside barbecue. Don't miss the opportunity to savor a refreshing coconut drink.
Grand Cayman has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It's customary to greet with a smile and a simple "Hello." When exploring the underwater world, follow responsible snorkeling and diving practices to protect the coral reefs.