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Cayman's Hidden Family Treasures

By: Christopher Tobutt

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A diverse array of attractions make the Cayman Islands an outstanding choice for family vacations.

The islands are safe, friendly and provide everything a family needs for peace of mind in an exotic and unfamiliar place. Attractions such as the famous Seven Mile Beach (which recently won the title of The Caribbean’s Best Beach from Caribbean Travel & Life magazine); Boatswains Beach, featuring the world-famous Turtle Farm; and Stingray City, where tourists can “meet” stingrays, are so popular they can “speak for themselves.”

But that’s just the start of Cayman’s line-up of family-oriented attractions — many of which are largely undiscovered by the thousands of family visitors who make their way to the islands each year.

Grand (Cayman) Adventures
So why are the Cayman Islands such a great place for family vacations? Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) President Steve Broadbelt put it this way: “The Cayman Islands are the destination of choice in the Caribbean region for family vacations. What makes Cayman worth it for families are the things we often take for granted: They are English-speaking, clean, safe and easy to get to, with an overall reliable experience leaving nothing to chance. Kindred moments happen with every Caymanian experience to create personal memories that last a lifetime. These are just a few reasons that have established Cayman as the ‘place you can take the kids.’”

Moreover, parents and kids will find activities perfect for family fun just about everywhere they go in Cayman. Some are well-advertised, while others require travellers to do a bit more digging.

The Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park, for example, is tucked away at the back of Grand Harbour shops, which you see on your left-hand side when heading east from George Town. Here, skaters of all ability levels can test their skills within the second-largest skateboard park in the world. Alongside the skateboard park, a powerful wave machine replicates the perfect surfing wave, so that active kids can go surfing as well as skateboarding, all in the same place. On the other hand, those who don’t feel too energetic can enjoy a meal or a drink at the nearby Brick House restaurant. There is even a sandbox nearby, so that the very youngest in the family will also have something to keep them occupied.

But there is something special about the skateboard park — something that has to do with a sense of friendliness and inclusiveness generated by the kids who use it. Manager Douglas Cameron, known locally as “JR,” explains why the park seems to function so smoothly. “It’s got a new team; it’s now a skate park for skaters run by skaters… and that adds atmosphere,” he says.

Cameron goes on to explain that in the world of skateboarding, the more inexperienced skateboarders would be encouraged by the more experienced ones, so that an expert could often skateboard alongside a beginner without the beginner feeling intimidated — not something you’ll find in many sports. The same philosophy extends to the wave machine; Cameron notes that the height and power of the waves can be adjusted to fit the skill level of the surfer, leaving no surfer out.

Another of Grand Cayman’s family-friendly attractions is the National Museum in George Town, open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum contains several thousand fascinating historical items, from old coins to a 14-foot “catboat,” a kind of small sailing boat that was used as a car, pickup truck and taxi in Cayman, in the not-too-distant past.

Families of nature lovers should take note of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, which sponsors a great many activities for parents and kids, as well as a wide range of interesting sites to visit. Families can explore the Mastic Trail, an energetic walk through wild landscape, where many different kinds of plants and animals are on display. Visitors can also take a once-in-a-lifetime visit to see the rare and beautiful blue iguanas at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, right in the middle of Grand Cayman. The iguanas are unique to the Cayman Islands, and almost became extinct because their numbers were so low; today, the species is making a remarkable recovery thanks to the efforts of the staff and volunteers who work for the Blue Iguana Recovery Program. (For more information on Cayman’s blue iguanas, see p. 20.)

Also away from George Town, Bodden Town, known as Cayman’s “first capital,” has much for the whole family to enjoy. The Mission House, for example, is run by the National Trust, and situated right next door to the Harry McCoy Sr. Park, one of five district parks. Originally built in the early 19th century, the Mission House was blown down during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Today, the house and grounds have been beautifully restored, with the house returned to its historically accurate condition and the surrounding grounds replanted. Inside, the house is filled with antique furniture, so that walking into the house is like taking a trip in a time machine, back a century and a half into the past. Outside, at the back of the house, a pond attracts Cayman’s many indigenous and migratory species of birds; bird lovers can climb a special tower for birdwatching that was built in the neighbouring park. Like all the district parks, the Harry McCoy Sr. Park has a playground area for children, so that there is plenty for everyone to do.

Pedro St. James Castle, between Bodden Town and George Town, is one of the oldest structures in the Cayman Islands. The castle was originally built in 1780, as the home of plantation owner William Eden, and was lovingly restored in 1996. Fifty years after being built, Pedro St. James served as the rendezvous point for Cayman’s first elected parliament, which lent it the popular title of the Cayman Islands’ “Birthplace of Democracy.” The castle itself is thrilling to see, since each room is filled with antiques and artefacts that would have belonged there in times past.

The castle also includes a visitors’ centre, exhibits, a souvenir shop and a café; visitors can begin their tour of the castle by watching a special computer-controlled 3-D presentation that is available every hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Flora, Fauna and Families
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman also present unique opportunities for families to make the most of their vacation; families should spend at least part of their vacation exploring these Sister Islands if they can.

On Cayman Brac, the bluff is the name given to a high ridge of rock that rises from the centre of the island and runs nearly the whole length of it, ending in a dramatic cliff on the eastern end, and providing breathtaking views of the sea many feet below. The bluff contains several interesting caves, including Rebecca’s Cave, once used as a hurricane shelter, and the beautiful and mysterious Bat Cave. Visitors can also take advantage of many different hikes over and surrounding the bluff.

Situated in the middle of the bluff is Christopher Columbus Gardens, a small park built in 2003 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the sighting of the Cayman Islands from one of Christopher Columbus’ ships. This is an ideal place for a quiet family picnic.

Both of the Sister Islands are great places for birdwatching, and boast a total of five seabird colonies, as well as nearly 200 part- or full-time resident species, with many different species of birds stopping off at one of the Sister Islands during their seasonal migrations.

Little Cayman’s tranquil atmosphere means visiting this island is a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together, perhaps visiting the wonderful sandy beaches or hiring a kayak and paddling out to explore the tiny Owen Island.

The Little Cayman Marine Museum opened in 2009 and is the Cayman Islands’ first museum exclusively dedicated to the memory of seafarers, upon whose livelihood the islands depended in days gone by. It contains many old photographs, as well as antique ships’ equipment and other interesting artefacts.

All in all, there is plenty for families to do and see in the Cayman Islands. A big payoff can be gained by looking a little closer — and delving a little deeper.


Book your flight today! Visit www.caymanairways.com, or call 345-949-2311 (in the Cayman Islands)
or 1-800-G-CAYMAN (in the U.S.).

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