Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
One of the main reasons visitors flock to the Cayman Islands is to experience our famous Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. With soft white sand and shimmering turquoise waters stretching for miles in either direction, it’s no surprise that it’s considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. As you drive down the ‘Seven Mile strip’ you’ll find the majority of the island’s hotels and beachfront condos, as well as a bustling restaurant and bar scene. In short, this is where you want to be if you are looking for a more metropolitan-like experience in Grand Cayman. This district guide is based on my personal experiences and recommendations on where to stay, sightsee and eat when you are visiting Seven Mile Beach.
Getting around
Renting a car (even for a day) is always my recommendation because it gives you the option to explore other parts of the island. However, if you’ve decided that you want to spend all of your time around Seven Mile Beach then you’ll have easy access to taxis and public buses, with the latter costing about CI$2-5. Note that both of these services are cash-only so make sure that you have some on hand.
I’ll be honest in saying that taxis have been known to overcharge visitors (and locals) for a list of reasons, from the amount of people in the car to how late it is at night. Before getting into the cab I always ask approximately what the fare will be and when we arrive at my destination I make sure that they check the ‘fare book’ so they don’t throw out a random price. The ‘fare book’ is king here as we don’t have taxi meters, but I can personally say that I’ve found a 2.5 mile (10 minute) drive costs me between CI$12-16. The government launched the CI:GO Taxi Fare App in 2019 to help prevent some of these issues, so it is worth downloading for your own peace of mind.
ACCOMMODATION
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman - our sandcastle by the sea. Photo credit: @ritzcarltongrandcayman
Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman: The most luxurious hotel on the strip had a facelift in 2021 and is home to some of the best restaurants on island including Taikun, Seven, Blue by Eric Ripert and Andiamo. Expect top notch hospitality, stunning accommodations, spa services, two pools, a golf course and, of course, access to a beautiful stretch of Seven Mile Beach.
Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort: This hotel is all that you expect out of the Marriott brand and more: a seaside swimming pool, holistic spa and cozy rooms with private balconies. Their central location means you are mere steps away from popular bars and restaurants on the Seven Mile Strip, but you will also be more than impressed with their on-site dining options. Veranda serves an elevated Caribbean menu in an al fresco setting by the sea, whereas Anchor & Den serves globally inspired cuisine and regularly hosts foodie events that are popular with guests and residents.
Kimpton Seafire: Located at the north end of the Seven Mile Strip is this boutique resort. Not only is it towering in stature, but the property sprawls along Seven Mile Beach with modern accommodations, massive pool, underground spa and two restaurants. Pop into beachside Coccoloba for margaritas and Mexican, or visit the (literally) elevated Ave for their creative Mediterranean cuisine.
Botanica Luxury Cottages: These cottages are the perfect getaway for a couple looking for an instagrammable home-away-from-home environment. The cottages are stocked with everything you could ever need while on a vacation - beach chairs, coffee makers, picnic baskets, local treats and a beach umbrella setup. What truly makes them unique is the tropical feeling you get from being surrounded by green leaves and vibrant flowers at every turn. Each space includes a full kitchen, washer/dryer, waterfall showers and a private back garden, plus a glamorous pool area shared among a limited number of guests. Want to visit the beach? You’re just a quick 2 minute drive from a bustling Seven Mile Public Beach and 5 minutes away from popular snorkelling destination Cemetery Beach. Read more about my stay by reading my blog, Weekend at Botanica Luxury Cottages in Grand Cayman.
Casa Caribe: This low-density beachfront condo complex consists of only 24 units over 3 floors. Each condo ranges in size, design and price so you have to choose the one that best suits your needs. They all come fully furnished and have large balconies that overlook a quiet part of Seven Mile Beach. They have a full staff to assist with concierge, housekeeping and maintenance, as well as a pool, tennis court and gym for guests to utilise during their stay. Casa Caribe condos are a great option if you want more homey accommodations or a place to share with a larger group.
Activities
Kiristen Cousins of Vitamin Sea in her happy place out on the water. Photo credit: @itskiristen
Vitamin Sea: Challenge yourself beyond just wading in the pristine waters of Seven Mile Beach and rent a paddleboard for an hour or two. As a newbie to paddleboarding I enjoyed that the workout was light and quite peaceful because you only are surrounded by water. If you want to learn more or challenge yourself when it comes to paddleboarding I’d recommend attending a class with the amazing Kiristen Cousins. She’s certified in both yoga and paddlefit making her classes challenging and fun for clients of all skill levels.
Red Sail Sports: They are the largest watersports company on island and have developed a great reputation over the past 30 years. They are easy to find on Seven Mile Beach as their shops are located at all of the major hotels. If you want a variety of activities then this is your one-stop shop: learn or go scuba diving, swim with the friendly rays of Stingray City, ride a waverunner or relax on a sunset catamaran. The possibilities are endless!
Double Trouble Charters: This is my go-to charter company because they are a locally owned and operated company that are reasonably priced, professional and friendly. They offer fishing and snorkelling charters, but mostly I rent them for a half or full day with friends. The popular stops are Stingray City, Starfish Point and Rum Point Sandbar, and if there’s time in the itinerary (which they’ll help you plan!) then go to Kaibo for lunch. They’ll help you plan out your itinerary in advance to ensure you have a great experience with a fun-loving Caymanian crew.
Entering Camana Bay from the Seven Mile overpass. Photo credit: @camanabay
The newest ‘town’ in Grand Cayman is the ever-expanding Camana Bay. Home to an array of niche restaurants, banks, bars, retail shops and the island’s only cinema, this beautiful pedestrianised space is a must-see. It describes itself as a place to work, live and play, and you get that feeling when you see kids splashing in water fountains, people reading canal-side in rocking chairs and coworkers drinking on patios. There’s even an island in the marina with hammocks and palm trees where anyone can go to unwind. My favourite places to visit include West Indies Wine Co. because their self-service wine machines make grabbing a glass of wine a breeze, Book & Books whenever I’m hunting for a good gift or book to read, and the weekly Wednesday ‘Craft and Farmer’s Market’ to buy local produce, artisanal products, jewellery and art. There’s a lot happening so take your time to explore it.
Walk Seven Mile Beach: It may be named Seven Mile Beach, but technically it’s only 5.5 miles long. As you walk along it you’ll notice a lot of different pockets to see. Some areas are more developed like the Seven Mile Public Beach which consists of cabanas, restrooms, playgrounds and volleyball courts, whilst others are quieter including the sun-drenched Governor’s Beach (my personal favourite) or the casuarina-shaded Cemetary Beach. Bring your cooler along with you or stop at one of the handful of beach bars if you want to grab a bite to eat. Your options include Tillie’s at Palm Heights, the pop-up beach bar by LUCA at Caribbean Club or Mexican cuisine from Coccoloba at the Kimpton Seafire Resort.
