Vacation rentals in Seven Mile Beach

Beloved for its coral reefs and white-sand beaches, the Cayman Islands attracts travelers from around the globe in search of paradise by the sea. This British territory in the western Caribbean is made up of three separate islands; its largest island, Grand Cayman, is where you’ll find Seven Mile Beach, a crescent of chalk-colored sand and crystal clear waters that rank as some of the best in the world for snorkeling.

It’s hard to imagine such an oasis sitting right in the thick of busy island life, but turn your gaze from the sea and you’ll notice that Seven Mile Beach is a hive of activity, with scores of shops, bars, and restaurants with terraces that fill with people gathering for the stunning nightly sunsets. There are also a number of water sports available here, with parasailing and snorkeling being two of the most popular. Located close to George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands, Seven Mile Beach is also a convenient jumping off point to explore the rest of the diverse island.

The islands maintain their warm weather all year. The dry season, which runs from November to April, sees fewer crowds. In contrast, the rainy season, which spans from May through October, offers occasional showers but not too much that the ordinary umbrella can’t handle. Due to its location in the western part of the Caribbean, the island is shielded from potential hurricanes during hurricane season, which lasts from June to November.

In April, a two week-long festival takes place, with its starting point at Seven Mile Beach. Along its route across the islands, visitors can enjoy film screenings, concerts, and arts and crafts. There’s also another major festival in November, on Cayman Brac, the easternmost island, which moves to Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach for party fun, costume contests, music, and more.

The National Museum

Located in a historic part of George Town and home to more than 8,000 fascinating artifacts, this museum was established in 1979 to preserve, interpret, and exhibit the history of the Cayman Islands. The museum itself is housed in one of the few surviving 19th-century structures on the Islands, and offers visitors a glimpse into the Caymanian heritage still alive on the Islands today.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, located on the north side of Grand Cayman, is home to an outdoor garden filled with a variety of native plant species. It’s also home to some animal friends as well, most famously the Blue Iguana Habitat. Check out the creatures between the vines and hear about the island’s efforts to protect them. When you’re through with your visit, you can also venture down the main trails that lead out from the park.

Pedro St. James

Built in the early 18th century and located on the south shore of the island, this authentic Caribbean great house is said to be the oldest building on Grand Cayman. The eight-acre grounds are known as the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands and include original Caymanian cottages, an authentic outbuilding, as well as several gardens. There’s also a fascinating video that highlights over 200 years of the Cayman Islands’ history at the state-of-the-art multimedia center.