George Town

George Town is the capital of Grand Cayman and home to our business and financial centres, as well as our main port for cruise ships. The area is incredibly popular for cruise ship passengers in particular as they could easily explore souvenir stores, restaurants and duty-free jewelry, but also to swim, snorkel or dive in the pristine turquoise waters of Hog Sty Bay. Take a trip to the outskirts of downtown and you’ll find coves, distilleries, museums and so much more.

Accommodations

There currently aren’t really any hotels in the George Town area as many visitors tend to stay on Seven Mile Beach. The only hotel in the area would be Sunset House which is known for being a casual hotel targeting scuba divers. It features a pool, two restaurants and some incredible sunset views. It should be noted that is in the path of the airport you’ll regularly hear planes flying over the top of you.

Activities

Snorkelling & Shore Diving: George Town has some of the best snorkelling on island because the waters are crystal clear, scattered with vibrant coral heads and tons of sea life. Some of my favourite snorkeling sites to visit from the shoreline include Eden Rock, Sunset House and the untouched Smith Bacadere. Note that both Sunset House and Eden Rock have on-site companies for you to easily rent snorkeling and scuba diving gear.

Cayman Islands’ National Museum: Immerse yourself in Cayman’s natural and cultural heritage by touring the galleries and exhibits at our national museum. They have staple exhibits and also rotating ones to cover different times in our history, such as the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan that impacted the islands on a mass scale in 2004.

Walking Downtown: Take in the sites of downtown George Town by walking around. You can see historical monuments and landmarks including the Clock Tower, Heroes Square, the House of Parliament and the Public Library all in close proximity to one another.

Hamlin Stephenson Farmer’s Market: Local farmers, vendors and artisans can be found at this open-air farmer’s market just outside of downtown George Town. This is a great spot to source local hot sauces, pastries, juices, jams and of course fresh, seasonal produce. Learn more about my favourite vendors by visiting my Cayman’s Best Farmer’s Market Artisans page.

Tarpon Feedings: You can watch or participate in tarpon feedings at multiple locations in the George Town area including Rackams Waterfront and The Wharf. Each restaurant does feedings at different times, but typically around 7pm.

Distillery & Brewery Tours: Imbibe and learn more about locally produced booze at Caybrew, Cayman Spirits and 1981 Brewing Co. Learn more about the tours by visiting the my Cayman’s Best Local Booze page.

Smith Barcadere: This quaint cove is beloved by residents for beach days and it’s unique natural features. The white sandy beach is shaded by sea grape trees and and surrounded by rock formations, known as ironshore, that are the perfect platform to jump into the turquoise waters.

Tortuga Rum Company: Visit the original Tortuga Rum Cake Factory that was established by Mr. & Mrs. Hamaty in 1984. Take a tour to learn more about the history and process of making Cayman’s top export and along the way you’ll do a tasting of their rum and famous rum cake.

Restaurants