Create your Cayman itinerary after checking cruise ship schedule.  Here is Cayman's ship schedule calendar where you can see the number of ships that are coming and the number of passengers they bring for each day.  The more cruise ship passengers arrive, the more crowds there are at major Cayman attractions such as Stingray City Tour, Starfish Point, Beach Horseback Ride, etc.  Book your tours on days when there are less crowds.

Stingray City & Starfish Point

I highly recommend Ocean Frontiers  for guided small group & professional snorkeling trips.

Guided Snorkeling Trip with Ocean Frontiers

Spirit of the West for dreamy horseback ride at beautiful Barker’s National Park, West Bay.

Horse Swim Ride with Spirit of the West

      Renting a car will maximize where you can go and give you much flexibility.  There are several car rental companies right across from Owen Roberts International Airport.  When it comes to rental car insurance, our credit card company provided a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), so we only purchased Liability Deductible Coverage (LDC) at the rental car company.  Be sure to bring a printout with the terms of any insurance you have.  Rental car sales agents seem to always try to convince you to buy their coverage, claiming you’re not covered anywhere else.  If using a credit card for insurance, print out the terms.  If using your own auto insurance from the United States, it almost never covers liability in foreign countries.  If your agent says you’re covered, be sure to get it in writing along with specific limits.  Make sure to understand your coverage; if you buy their coverage at rental car company, it might cancel out any other coverage you have.

Plaza with Several Rental Car Companies ​Across from Airport

      Stay on LEFT, and let's learn their roundabout!  

1. Looking at the sign, figure out which exit you want to come out in the roundabout, 1st, 2nd or 3rd one?

2. Get in the lane with the exit (1st, 2nd or 3rd) you want to come out.

3. Enter the roundabout giving way to cars that are already in there.

Your rental car may have a car navigation, or you may have GPS navigation on your mobile phone.  We were able to use Waze app and Google Directions on our cell phones while driving in Cayman. 

Avoid Rush Hour.  Traffic gets pretty heavy and slow during rush hour; eastward (out of downtown) at about 5-6pm on weekday & westward (towards downtown) at about 7-8am on weekday.

      We stayed at Turtle Nest Inn, a beautifully intimate inn with arched architecture.  This was a place​ which felt warm, authentic and deeply relaxing.  Away from the crowds, being located in Bodden Town (kind of "middle" of Cayman island), it offered an easy access to all directions.  What's more, our stay included a rental car!  It can't get any more perfect!

Other Locations to consider.

• 
  East End is secluded and the farthest from downtown George Town and airport.  There are resorts.  (Morritt’s Resorts &  Wyndham Reef Resort Grand Cayman)
• 
  7-mile Beach area is where high-end hotels are located and highly developed for more luxury experience.  
• 
  West Bay and North Side both have a more residential feel, but there are accommodations you may find at vacation rental listing sites.

      On the first day in Cayman, after checkin in our inn, we went for a quick grocery shopping  at Foster’s  – several locations are available.  We got some breakfast supplies (ready-to-eat cut fruits, banana, Greek yogurt, kashi cereal, coffee ground & milk).  

We also purchased several 1-gallon water jugs to fill our water bottles.  Being in the sun in hot weather, your body needs to stay hydrated.  Also, don't forge to keep your electrolytes in check.  I recommend Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier.

Foster's has everything you would need for everyday life.  They have sunblocks, after-sun lotions, toiletry supplies, etc if you didn’t bring them.

Foster’s – several locations available.

      There are many snorkeling locations all around Cayman island which are “accessible” with easy shore access.  This website Grand Cayman Snorkeling Guide by Snorkeling Quest gives you great information for Grand Cayman's snorkeling locations.  Some locations are not reachable without boat and advisable to go with tour company (Recommend Ocean Frontiers for guided snorkeling tours).

 ​Self-guided snorkeling spots we went.

1. Smith Barcadere (near downtown) – Just walk in from beach & start snorkeling!  Parking lot is across from ​the street.  Public bathroom & shower are on-site.

Smith Barcadere

2.  Eden Rock (near downtown) – Off of Eden Rock Dive Center & Silverside Restaurant & Rum Bar which has easy access into ocean via ladder.  Swim to white buoys where reefs are.  Small parking lot is next to dive center & restaurant.  There is an open shower to rinse off and bathroom in restaurant.  

Eden Rock

3. Cemetery Beach (on 7-mile beach) - There is a parking lot a block away to the east across from the street.  Easy walk through narrow pathway to the beach.  Bathroom is on the parking lot.

Cemetery Beac​h

4. Macabuca (West Bay) – Off of Macabuca Tiki Bar & Restaurant.  Dive bar/restaurant with easy shore access into ocean via ladder.  Bathroom is in the facility.  Parking lot is adjacent to the facility.

Macabuca

5. Bodden Town - Snorkeling off from Turtle Nest Inn.

In Front of Turtle Nest Inn

Reliable snorkeling gears & other accessaries.

• ■
• ■
  Cressi Adult Diving Dry Snorkel
• ■
  Cressi Perfect View Scuba Diving, Snorkeling Mask
  
• ■
  Cressi Neoprene Adult Anti-Slip Sole Boots
• ■
  Cressi Palau SAF Short Adjustable Open Heel Fins
• ■
  Seaview Palawan Inflatable Snorkel Vest
  
• ■
  STREAM 2 SEA Reef Safe Mask Defog
• ■
  STREAM 2 SEA SPF 30 Biodegradable Mineral Sunscreen
• ■
  Booe Waterproof Belt Bag
• ■
  GoPro HERO12 Black
  

      Local Eateries we liked & recommend.

1. Vivine’s Kitchen (East End).

Fried Fish Din​ner

2.  Heritage Kitchen (West Bay).

Coconut Grouper & BBQ Pork Rib

3.  Captain Herman’s Fish Fry (East End).

Garlic Shrimp, Conch Fritters & Fried Plantains

4. Over The Edge (North Side).

Curried Grouper

5. Czech Inn Grill (Bodden Town).

Hawaii Burger, Schnetzel, Pork Belly, Grilled Brie

6. Kaibo Beach Restaurant (North End)

Coconut Fried Swai Fish in Curry Sauce & Salad with Snapper

      I'm always on the hunt for coconut stand whenever I'm in tropical place.  We found it at Cayman Farmers' Market!  We happened to drive by on Sunday afternoon when the market is normally closed, but a few stands were open.  It is located on main road by airport and close to downtown George Town.      

Cayman Farmers' Market

      Looking for special Cayman souvenirs?  Visit Pure Art Gallery & Gifts (near downtown).  Here, you’ll discover original Cayman arts and locally inspired gifts.  Each one would be sure to bring back memories of your island time.

Pure Art Gallery & Gifts & Hand-made Caymanite & Conch Pendants

      This is a must visit!  You will be awed by colorful floral displays and lush tropical vegetation everywhere you turn. Their themed attractions include Floral Colour Garden, Heritage Garden, Xerophytic Garden, The Lake, Orchids at the Park, Butterflies at the Park and The Blue Iguana Habitat where you can see Cayman’s blue iguana “Blue Dragon.”  We also spotted chirping Cayman Parrots while strolling in the park!

Colorful Displays at  Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park