The Cayman Islands may have three idyllic islands, but Little Cayman is its tropical retreat. Here are a few activities you may do on the island. Little Cayman is only accessible by plane, so plan to linger on Grand Cayman for a day or two before heading to the little island.
Seven Mile Beach
Unlike its bigger sister, Little Cayman offers a more off-the-beaten-path Caribbean experience. Here, you’ll find world-class diving, intimate resorts, and a decidedly laid-back atmosphere that makes it feel like a slice of paradise. Seven Mile Beach, a gorgeous length of sand known as the island’s most opulent resort, is one of the most incredible spots to soak up that mood. Powdery white sand and crystal clear water set the scene for an outstanding experience with dreamy seaside hotels, epic beach bars, and seafood eateries with million-dollar views.
Even on a busy day, the beach is big enough that you won’t have to worry about fighting for your spot or stepping over people to lie down. It’s also a great place to exercise by walking along the shore, or for a more fun way to explore, try a new spin on this classic Caymanian beach experience: rent a water bike. Another highlight is Owen Island, a tiny island that feels like a treasure island out of Pirates of the Caribbean. Kayak to the island and spend a few hours picking up conchs, just laying in the sun, or visit the famed Bloody Bay Coral Wall, where shimmering schools of fish and bioluminescent creatures dance in crystal-clear waters.
Bloody Bay
Scuba diving is king on Little Cayman, where the famed Bloody Bay Wall—one of the world’s best dive sites—is a marine park. There are about 60 published spots for diving in Little Cayman, but Bloody Bay is the star attraction. It’s a sheer vertical reef and drop, starting in 20 feet of water and plunging to more than 1,000 feet, with colorful coral and fish along the way. Other marine park highlights include the Fry Cave, Jackson’s Reef, and Pillar Coral Reef, which feature a network of chutes, crevices, and tunnels. And on the other side of Bloody Bay, sandbars and shallow sloping seagrass beds are teeming with marine life such as sailfin blennies, Caribbean reef sharks, and eagle rays.
Above water, visitors can climb ladders to atop the rocks at Great Cave and take in the views of Little Cayman’s tranquil, white-sand beaches. Or they can go boating and fishing in the crystal clear waters. Birders will enjoy visiting the Booby Pond Nature Reserve, where the raucous noises of red-footed boobies and magnificent frigates roost in a salt-water lagoon. And for those who want to shop and pamper themselves, there are glitzy malls in Grand Cayman and opulent five-star resorts on Seven Mile Beach.
Bodden Town
Little Cayman is just a ten-minute flight from Cayman Brac, and it feels like a tropical retreat. It’s few restaurants and shops are primarily residential and have a laidback, old-world charm. The smallest of the three islands is an island of true seclusion where visitors can unwind on the pristine beaches or the lushly forested trails that wind through wetlands and forests. The most pristine swimming beach on the island is the aptly named Point of Sand, a lovely spot usually deserted on weekdays and packed with local families on Sundays. The currents can be strong, but the shallow waters are clear and protected by a reef line.
In addition to its picturesque sandy beaches and rocky entry points for snorkeling, diving, and beachcombing, Little Cayman offers excellent birding. The National Trust’s Mission House is a time capsule of life in the 1800s, and Booby Pond Nature Reserve is a significant nesting and overwintering site for frigatebirds and 20,000 red-footed boobie birds. Hikers can take on the Mastic Trail, a moderate hike that traverses mangrove swamps and a woodland area that’s 2 million years old. Other nature enthusiasts should head to Booby Pond, where a bird-viewing platform overlooks a wetlands area and a significant colony of 20,000 red-footed boobies.
Owen Island
Cayman Islands’ beaches are legendary for their soft sand, sparkling sea, and vibrant blue waters. To fully appreciate them, you must do more than swim in azure nirvana. You’ll need to go exploring, as well. The secluded Owen Island, for instance, is accessible by kayak or rowboat only 590 feet from the shores of Little Cayman and provides a prime and pristine picnic spot. Escape the crowds and enjoy a romantic Caribbean beach getaway for two on the unofficial fourth island of the Caymans. It’s the perfect location for a mid-afternoon dinner with your significant other.
It’s a bird watcher’s paradise, as well. The island’s southwestern shore boasts the only rookery in the Western Hemisphere for the red-footed booby, herons, black-necked stilts, and egrets. And a little farther east, the South Hole Sound lagoon is home to a population of brown pelicans and belted kingfishers. While Grand Cayman and Little Cayman have much to share — including the stunning wall diving that put the Cayman Islands on the map over 60 years ago — each of these three southwestern Caribbean islands offers distinct qualities. On Cayman Brac, the 140-foot (42.7 m) bluff at the island’s eastern end has become world-renowned for rock climbing. A dedicated full-service climbing operation is available to equip and train climbers.
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