Charming George Town is the Caymans Islands’ capital, situated on Grand Cayman in the British West Indies. As well as being a major offshore banking hub, George Town is a popular port for cruise ships, thanks to its laid-back and colorful Caribbean vibe—and the some of the Cayman Islands’ most glorious beaches.
Resorts line stunning Seven Mile Beach, attracting families, honeymooners, and, especially, divers. The year-round warm water and great visibility combine with exciting wreck dives to create one of the top diving locations on the planet. Divers from around the world come here to dive the famous Stingray City site.
Plenty of city tours and shore excursions combine sights in George Town and around Grand Cayman. Highlights include the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm, where you’ll see turtles of all sizes; the tiny post office in the town of Hell, surrounded by otherworldly rock formations; and the local rum distillery, where you can taste spirits as well as one of the most famous local products, rum cake. Boat tours and submarine tours explore the coral gardens, the barrier reef, the Kittiwake shipwreck, and other offshore locations. Fishing charters are also readily available.
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George Town and Seven Mile Beach are idyllic for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts.
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Food and drink are particularly pricey on Grand Cayman, so plan your budget accordingly.
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Grand Cayman is a hot spot for divers and snorkelers, so book any diving and snorkeling tours well in advance of your trip.
George Town is on Grand Cayman’s southwest coast. The island’s international airport is two miles (three kilometers) from town.
Grand Cayman is warm year-round, which means eternal beach weather. Summer is the rainiest season, and hurricane season lasts from June through November. Some experts recommend visiting between March and June, when hotel rates and flight prices tend to drop. Grand Cayman shore excursions are very popular, so brace for major George Town crowds Tuesday through Friday, when cruise ships typically dock here.
A series of shallow sandbars in the North Sound tend to harbor southern stingrays—and lots of tourists who want to see them. Stingray City is a top island attraction, and swimming, snorkeling, and diving among the rays are all popular activities. The creatures are docile and harmless while feasting on squid provided by the tour guides. Most scuba diving and snorkeling tours bound for Stingray City depart from Rum Point, on the north Grand Cayman shore.
