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Grand Cayman Hidden Gems

April 1

Written By Morritt's

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Grand Cayman Hidden Gems

Whether you’re a long-time Cayman visitor or someone thinking about spending more time here, there are so many things to do beyond the great places to eat, swim, sunbathe and relax. Here, we’ve gathered a few of our favourites that you may or may not know.

Starfish Point

You’ll find this curious and isolated beach on the north side of Grand Cayman at the western extremity of Rum Point. The sea here is wonderfully clear and great for snorkeling, but the real attractions are the many red cushion sea stars that feed in the shallows. With ample parking, it’s an ideal place for a picnic and to watch the sunset but there’s little else there. Don’t expect bars or cafes. (If sea-life is your thing, you might also consider the more popular Stingray City, a series of shallow sandbars near George Town where you can swim with and pet stingrays.)

Bioluminescent Bay

See the swirling otherworldly colours as you move your hands through the water and imagine yourself in a science-fiction alternate reality. The magical bioluminescence at Rum Point is best seen when snorkeling at night as part of a boat or kayak tour that can also involve an astronomy element and an introduction to the starfish. We have several companies that depart from Kaibo, Starfish point or Rum point – and our local team can help you plan your bioluminescent adventure!

Cayman Farmer’s Market

The Hamlin Stephenson farmers’ market at the Cricket Square in George Town (Mon-Sat) is known for its fresh fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, pastries, juices, sauces, preserves and other goods from Cayman’s farmers and craftspeople. Visit to discover freshly made lemonade, cassava cakes, coconut bread, scented candles, peppermint foot scrub, towels, hand-made jewellery, smoothies and houseplants among many other treats. Perfect for sourcing local ingredients or buying presents and souvenirs. See a list of vendors here.

The Mission House

Built in the 1700s, this historic structure is one of Cayman’s oldest buildings and once housed Presbyterian missionaries. You can take a tour to walk in the footsteps of early settlers, see a collection of interesting artifacts and learn how the building’s residents lived in the 1800s. The gift shop on-site offers the opportunity to buy souvenirs (all proceeds to the National Trust) and you should also look out for the traditional cooking and craft classes held here twice monthly. HOURS: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday: 11am-4pm. ADDRESS: Gun Square Road, Bodden Town. TEL: +1 345-945-3769

The 1981 Brewery and Tap Room

1981 may have been a year known for the emergence of electronic pop music, but that has nothing to do with the brewery named for the nautical co-ordinates of the Cayman Islands and famous for its craft beers: Cayman Blonde, Island Session and Tropical IPA. You can take a tour of the brewery and visit the tap room to sample some of the brews straight from the source. HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday: 3pm-7pm; Friday: 3pm-8pm; Saturday: 12pm-5pm; Sunday: Closed. ADDRESS: 273 Dorcy Drive, George Town, Grand Cayman. TEL: +1 345-945-0440

Cayman Cigar Company

Created to revive the art of handcrafting premium cigars, the company uses only the finest hand-selected boutique tobaccos sourced from passionate growers using organic, sustainable farming practices. Master Roller Barbara Garcia oversees the creation of premium smokes. Unusually, this is a non-profit organisation, with 100% of net profits going back into the island through charitable donations. To book a private cigar rolling event, schedule a tour of Beacon Farms or ask questions about how to roll or store fine cigars, contact the company directly: info@caymancigars.com. TEL: +1 345-946-2447

The Mastic Trail

Fancy a walk? The Mastic Trail is a 7.4km (4.6-mile) round-trip trail near Bodden Town and should take 2-3 hours. Expect to see beautiful wildflowers, small lizards, butterflies, crabs, snakes (non-venomous), parrots and woodpeckers, as well as a variety of trees, including a fine mastic tree after which the track is named. The route may not be suitable for the elderly or very young, and you’ll need solid shoes to negotiate the odd root or craggy volcanic rock. Guided tours are scheduled Tuesday and Thursday mornings by reservation via the National Trust website.

Pure Art Gallery

A centre of local art and island-style gifts for almost thirty years, this Cayman cottage just south of George Town offers Caymanian paintings, prints, jewellery, handmade crafts, gifts and more. Great for presents or just to treat yourself because, well, you deserve it! You’ll also find housewares and tempting treats such as pepper jelly, jams, hot sauces, spices, Cayman sea salt, Tortuga rum cake and Cayman coffee. HOURS: Monday and Tuesday 9am-4pm; Wednesday: closed; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday: closed. ADDRESS: South Church Street, South Sound, Grand Cayman. TEL: 345-949-9133

Pony Park

What do kids love more than ingesting vast quantities of sugar? Petting cute animals! In the Pony Park, children can meet Lulu the donkey, Pebbles the miniature horse, bunny rabbits and goats – all of which love to be petted. You can also book the park for birthday parties. Entry fee: $5 per child (including pony ride). HOURS: Saturday mornings 9:00am to 10:30am. ADDRESS: Halfway Pond, just off the Linford Pierson Highway. TEL: 345-516-1751

 

Was there anything there that that you’ve not experienced? If so, let us know your recommendations to get the best of Cayman. We’re always looking for insider tips!

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Scuba Diving at Morritt’s

The sea around the Cayman Islands is a paradise for divers and watersports enthusiasts, with crystal waters, fascinating wrecks and an amazing abundance of sea life. If you’re already a keen diver, or if you’d like to dip your toe in the water (literally), there are many options for you.

Red Sail Sports has a full-service dive and watersports centre at Morritt’s Tortuga Club operating under the name of Tortuga Divers. As well as a whole range of watersports and sailing activities, Tortuga Divers can also help you to train and get Scuba certified at various levels. Feel free to contact them for more information (1-877-506-6368 / info@tortugadivers.com), but in the meantime here’s a guide to what they offer.

 

Discover Scuba Course

This two-hour East End course teaches you how to dive in one day and discover the undersea world with an experienced instructor. You’ll start easily in a swimming pool and get confident with the theory – how to breathe! – before taking a dive off a shallow reef with all the necessary equipment. The dive will last around 30-40 minutes and goes to a maximum depth of 40 feet. If you fall in love with Scuba immediately, you can take a Repeat Resort Dive.

 

PADI eLearning Open Water Course

The advantage of the eLearning course is that you can save four days of your vacation time by studying before you arrive. Complete the theory and tests online and then use your time on Grand Cayman to learn master dive skills with one of our expert instructors over three days.

DAY ONE – Get to grips with the equipment and put theory into practice in a swimming pool (confined water).

DAY TWO – Take two shallow-water dives in the sea (open water) to reinforce your skills.

DAY THREE – Enjoy two more open-water dives to be certified by your instructor and given your temporary PADI open water certification card. You’ll then receive a personal certification card with photo and ID number by mail. This can then be used anywhere in the world!

 

Open Water Referral Course

The referral course is perfect for people who have already started Scuba certification back home and who want to complete their four open-water training dives in Grand Cayman with all equipment included. After a quick pool session to test underwater skills, you’ll complete the four ‘check-out’ dives over a two-day period. Then a Tortuga Divers instructor will sign your referral forms to verify completion. Courses are available for all the largest recognized diving agencies: PADI, NAUI, SSI, IDEA, PDIC, YMCA, and HSA.

 

PADI Advanced Open Water Course

Build on the open water course with new capabilities and new activities while increasing your confidence. No need to wait if you’ve discovered a new passion – you can go straight into this course after completing the PADI Open Water course (above). If thinking about this course prior to arriving on the island, you can save time by doing the PADI theory online.

When you arrive, you’ll do five dives over one full day and a half day: a deep dive, a navigation dive and three others to be decided with your instructor. These could include a night dive, a search-and-recovery dive or boat diving. This course includes equipment, boat dives and certification materials. Your PADI Open Water certification card must be presented upon enrollment.

 

Refresher Scuba Course

If you haven’t dived for two to six years, you may want to refresh your skills, knowledge or confidence before putting on the tanks again. This two-hour course starts in the pool to go over the basic dive theory and then moves to the sea for a shallow afternoon dive. Only previously certified divers may take this course.

If you’re already an experienced diver, Tortuga Divers operates boats to various dive sites such as
Anchor Point, High Rock Drop Off, Turtle Pass, Northern Lights, Snapper Hole, Chub Hole, Grouper Grotto and Black Rock Reef to name a few. Contact them for more details.

Please also note that all certification courses need to be pre-booked. All the PADI courses are eLearning, which means you complete the theory online prior to arriving.

April 20

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Things to See and Do Around Morritt’s

The eastern districts of Grand Cayman are the least populated on the island, however they are full of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here’s a selection of the attractions that are just a short drive away from Morritt’s. 

 

Cayman Parrot

Cayman Parrot Sanctuary

Located just before Tukka restaurant on Austin Connolly Drive, the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary is one of the island’s newest attractions but it is already growing in popularity. As the name implies, the facility is a place where injured Cayman parrots (the Islands’ national bird) can be rehabilitated with the ultimate goal of being released back into the wild. The sanctuary offers a fun, interactive and educational experience where families of all ages can see, hold and feed a variety of Cayman’s native animals. 

 

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park showcases the best of Cayman’s natural beauty, where guests can enjoy guided or self-guided tours through colourful gardens, botanic, lake and nature displays. You might even see an endangered blue iguana or two, which roam freely throughout the park. They are found nowhere else in the world — only in the Cayman Islands! 

 

Mastic Trail

If you’re feeling especially adventurous, grab your hiking shoes and water bottle for a 2.3-mile hike through the Mastic Trail to see some of the last remaining untouched old-growth forests of the Caribbean as well as several species of birdsreptiles and insects that live within the reserve. Guided tours are also available. 

 

Rum Point & Kaibo

Enjoy a fun day at the beach in North Side at Rum Point Club or Kaibo. Both locations offer casual beachside restaurants and bars, loungers and watersports activitiesKaibo also has a coffee shop and a fine dining restaurant for dinners. From Rum Point you can catch a catamaran to visit world famous Stingray City, where you can swim and touch the rays. Note that Rum Point is currently closed but is expected to re-open. Check their social media for updates. 

 

Starfish Point

A short walk from Kaibo on Water Cay Road, Starfish Point is a popular destination for these special creatures to naturally congregate in the shallow waters. Just be sure to not remove any from the water when you pay them a visit!  

 

Cayman Crystal Caves

A guided walking tour through the Crystal Caves and flora and fauna of the surrounding tropical forest will not disappoint!  

 

Bioluminescence Tours

Kids and adults alike will delight at this glowing natural wonder in the Bio Bay. Night tours are available via kayak or boat where you will be able to view the natural splendour of glowing dinoflagellate plankton that twinkle like stars at the slightest movements in the water. The tour companies go out only when the moon phases are favourable and some provide gear for you to swim in the water to see the magic up close.

Of course, Morritt’s is packed with on-site activities and amenities including watersports, swim-up pool bars, diving and snorkelling – so you never have to leave the resortBe sure to check out our daily activities programme, which includes a little fun for everyone! 

December 12

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