Travel Diaries: Grand Cayman (Caribbean)
With much of the island bounded by a barrier reef, this beautiful destination is a delight to explore. As the largest of the three Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman offers nature, culture, local history and glorious sunshine to immerse all your senses – so dive right in with me!
The trip began in the capital, George Town, a charming but bustling city flanked by Seven Mile Beach to the west and the North Sound lagoon to the east. I strolled across the wooden promenade, gazing down into the azure waters with great delight as a shoal of fish nibbled away on the seabed.
My attention was drawn to music playing in the streets as I wandered along, noticing that despite this being the capital, it was a small place filled with incredible character. Shop fronts were all brightly coloured, everyone chatted animatedly, selling their wares and playing instruments. I couldn’t help but smile.
Fans of BBC crime drama Death in Paradise will know that Caribbean inhabitants seem to have a positive attitude and sunny disposition year-round… and it’s true! The locals appear to have a zest for life that is enviable and infectious, even down to decorating number plates with postcard-worthy scenes of their cherished beaches.
Hand-crafted goods are common across the Caribbean, yet outside one shop, this was taken a step further. A gentleman sat rolling cigars for tourists to buy, an influence from nearby Cuba. As he worked, he sat smoking a beast of a cigar, a piece as fat as a fist and twice as long as his face – quite extraordinary!
Further along the shore, the ruins of Fort George are a fantastic place to explore and are located adjacent to a high-end shopping experience – look out for pieces by Gucci, Tiffany and Versace, to name a few.
With iguanas basking in the sun around every corner, I explored the city, taking in colonial architecture until reaching Heroes Square. Alongside the Mariner’s Memorial resides a sculpture of two women, representing the right to vote protest of 24 women during the 1948 election, and inscribed with the poignant words “steps to equality”.
If you love nature, you can visit the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park to catch a glimpse of rare Blue Iguanas, or head to the coast to seek out mangroves. The beauty of the whole island is a testament to the resilience of its inhabitants, restoring much of the island following the destruction of Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
However, one of my favourite activities in this part of the world is always to dive beneath the waves and explore the marine realm. The Cayman Turtle Centre is one of the most popular attractions, allowing visitors to observe Green Sea Turtles in the North Sound lagoon.
Turtles have been important to the island since the 16th century, when explorer Sir Francis Drake was reported as the first English visitor to the islands. The turtles continued to be a main attraction for ship crews searching for fresh meat, almost completely removing the turtle population from local waters. Even now, the Cayman Islands remain an Overseas British Territory.
If you’re into marine life, perhaps an encounter with a stingray satisfies your adventurous streak. Just head to Sting Ray City to feel these friendly (so I’m told) southern stingrays gracefully swimming around your feet.
I took a trip on a semi-submarine to observe the infamous barrier reef surrounding Grand Cayman. Eagerly peering through the little porthole, I watched bands of reef pass underneath, with shoals of fish dipping in and out of view. I also had the amazing opportunity to finally see a Sting Ray in the wild - that made my day!
Whilst I normally go on organised tours when on holiday, this time I did extra research prior to the trip, creating my own walking tour of George Town alongside the submarine trip. I highly recommend always doing research prior to your trips so you can make the most of your time in a destination.
After a lovely day exploring under my own steam, I watched the sun set on another beautiful day in the Caribbean.
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Written by Charlotte Bird
