- Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is the main resort area, with calm, clear water
- Swim with southern stingrays on the sandbar at Stingray City
- British Airways flies from Heathrow with a short stop in Nassau
- Cars drive on the left, but prices are among the highest in the Caribbean
- Airports
- Owen Roberts International, Grand Cayman (GCM); Charles Kirkconnell International, Cayman Brac (CYB)
- Flight time
- about 11-12h from London Heathrow, with one stop in Nassau on the same plane
- Best time to go
- December-April for dry weather; May-June and November for value
- Currency
- Cayman Islands dollar (KYD), fixed at about US$1.20; US dollars widely accepted
The Cayman Islands are three low, flat coral islands south of Cuba with some of the clearest water in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman, the largest, is a sophisticated, safe and well-organised place with a world-famous beach, excellent restaurants and a big financial sector. Its sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, are tiny, quiet and loved by divers for their dramatic reef walls.
As a British Overseas Territory, Cayman feels familiar: cars drive on the left, English is the language and the King appears on the banknotes. Plugs, however, are the US two-pin type (120V), so bring an adaptor. The islands are five hours behind the UK in winter and six in summer, as they don't change their clocks. It is one of the most expensive destinations in the region.
Entry requirements
British passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Cayman Islands and are usually given up to 30 days on arrival, which can be extended. Your passport should be valid for your stay, and you may need to show a return ticket and accommodation details. If you travel via the US, you need an ESTA. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in the Cayman Islands
Seven Mile Beach
Actually about five and a half miles long, Grand Cayman's signature beach has soft white sand, gentle water and most of the island's hotels and condos. Cemetery Beach and the reefs at its northern end have good snorkelling, and the beach is public along its whole length.
George Town
The small capital has duty-free shops, a waterfront lined with restaurants and the National Museum. It gets busy on cruise ship days, so explore early or late.
Stingray City and Rum Point
Boats run out to a shallow sandbar in the North Sound where you can stand waist-deep among dozens of southern stingrays. Combine it with Starfish Point and lunch at laid-back Rum Point on the north coast.
East End and Bodden Town
The quieter side of Grand Cayman has blowholes, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, where you might spot blue iguanas, and small resorts with good diving. Pedro St James, a restored 18th-century great house, tells the islands' history.
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman
The Brac has limestone cliffs, caves and wreck diving, while Little Cayman has the famous Bloody Bay Wall, a sheer reef dropping into the deep, and more iguanas than people. Both are reached on short flights from Grand Cayman.
Best time to visit the Cayman Islands
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-April) | Peak season, dry and sunny, around 25-29 °C; highest prices |
| Late spring (May-June) | Warmer, quieter, good value; showers begin |
| Summer (July-August) | Hot and humid, calm seas, school-holiday crowds |
| Autumn (September-November) | Peak hurricane season and wettest months; lowest prices |
Getting to the Cayman Islands from the UK
British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Grand Cayman several times a week, stopping briefly in Nassau in the Bahamas on the way. The whole journey takes about 11–12 hours. Alternatively, connect via Miami or another US hub, which needs an ESTA and means clearing US immigration. Cayman Airways links Grand Cayman with the sister islands and several US cities.
The BA stop in Nassau is usually a short refuelling and passenger stop, so you normally stay on board, but check your booking in case it changes.
Getting around
Hire cars are widely available on Grand Cayman, and you drive on the left; you will need a temporary local permit, usually arranged by the rental firm. Public minibuses run along the main routes, including Seven Mile Beach and George Town, and are cheap and frequent by day. Taxis charge set fares. On the sister islands, bikes and small hire cars are plenty.
Money and costs
Cayman is very expensive, with high prices for accommodation, food and drink. Budget at least £250–350 per person per day for a mid-range trip including accommodation. US dollars are accepted everywhere, though change is often given in Cayman dollars, and cards are widely used. Restaurants usually add a 15% service charge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cayman Islands good for a beach holiday?
Yes. Seven Mile Beach is one of the best in the Caribbean, with calm, clear water and plenty of space, and Rum Point and Starfish Point are lovely for a day out.
Can you fly direct from the UK to Grand Cayman?
British Airways flies from Heathrow on the same plane, with one short stop in Nassau. There is no non-stop service.
Is Cayman safe?
It is generally considered one of the safest places in the Caribbean, though normal precautions apply.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Cayman?
The left, as in the UK.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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