Top Things to Do in Grand Cayman: Adventures Above and Below the Sea

There’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Grand Cayman: beaches that sparkle, hidden caves to explore, and wildlife that feels like something out of another planet.

But for fun, adventure, and memories that last a lifetime, the number-one thing to do in Cayman is a Crazy Crab private boat charter — your all-access pass to the island’s most magical spots, offering a unique and personalized adventure.

On a Crazy Crab private boat charter, the options for adventure are endless. You can snorkel among vibrant coral reefs, swim with friendly stingrays, hold radiant starfish, tube across turquoise water, enjoy a sunset dinner on the beach, or witness the sea glow with bioluminescence under a starlit sky. You can do it all in a single day.

Grand Cayman Water Adventures

Crazy Crab Adventure — The Top Thing to Do in Grand Cayman

If you ask anyone who’s been here, they’ll tell you the best way to experience Cayman is from the water. With your own Crazy Crab private boat charter, you call the shots. Leave when you want, stay as long as you like, with a day tailored around you.

We’ll guide you to our favorite spots: feed the stingrays at Stingray City, drift over starfish at Starfish Point, and end the day swimming in a sea that glows at Bioluminescent Bay.

Our crew handles the details so you can relax, explore, and fall in love with Cayman from the best seat in the house — your own boat.

Scuba Diving in Grand Cayman’s World-Class Reefs

Grand Cayman is known worldwide for diving: 365 dive sites, crystal-clear water, and coral walls that drop into the deep blue.

Local dive shops around the island run daily trips and guided shore dives. Never tried scuba before? Many offer short resort courses, so you can experience the underwater magic safely without full certification.

From the USS Kittiwake wreck to the reefs of Lighthouse Point, every dive here feels like a window into another world.

Deep Sea Fishing Off the Cayman Drop-Off

Just a mile offshore, the ocean floor plunges thousands of feet, the perfect playground for deep-sea fishing.

You’ll find plenty of skilled local captains ready to take you out in search of mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, or even marlin. Most charters leave from the Cayman Islands Yacht Club and include everything you need.

There’s nothing quite like reeling in a big fish with Cayman’s turquoise coastline in the background.

Stingray City, Grand Cayman’s Most Famous Experience!

Step into the clear shallows of North Sound and you’ll find yourself surrounded by southern stingrays. They’re gentle, graceful, and surprisingly friendly.

At Stingray City, you can touch, feed, and even hold these amazing creatures as they glide around you. With our Crazy Crab crew guiding you safely, it’s pure joy — the kind of moment that sticks with you long after you’re back on shore.

Families love it, photographers adore it, and no one forgets it.

Bioluminescent Bay at Night

By day, Cayman dazzles. But by night, the sea itself begins to glow. In the Bioluminescent Bay, microscopic plankton light up the water with every movement — blue sparks swirling around your hands as you swim.

Snorkeling from a private boat is the most magical way to see it: quiet, personal, tailored, and far from the crowds. It’s a Cayman experience unlike any other.

Grand Cayman Land Adventures

Cayman Crystal Caves in North Side

Deep beneath the island’s lush forest lies a world of wonder. The Cayman Crystal Caves sparkle with stalactites and stalagmites shaped over centuries by rain and time.

Guided tours lead you through three incredible caverns surrounded by a jungle alive with orchids, bats, and air plants. Every turn reveals another hidden shimmer and a glimpse into Cayman’s geological story.

Cayman’s Natural Beauty at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

Peaceful paths, bright blooms, and curious blue iguanas. The Botanic Park is where Cayman slows down. Wander through the Heritage Garden to see traditional cottages and native trees, then follow the boardwalk through wetlands alive with birds and butterflies.

This is also home to the Blue Iguana Conservation Facility, the only place on Earth to see Grand Cayman’s rare blue iguana up close. Once nearly extinct, they’ve made a remarkable comeback thanks to local conservation efforts.

Visit the Cayman Turtle Centre

The Cayman Turtle Centre celebrates one of our island’s oldest connections — the green sea turtle. Here you can meet turtles from hatchlings to gentle giants, explore interactive touch tanks, or even swim alongside them in the Turtle Lagoon.

The park also features birds, butterflies, a saltwater crocodile, and a splash-friendly water park that kids love.

And out in the wild? You might spot turtles while snorkeling on a Crazy Crab charter — graceful, curious, and free on the reef where they belong.

Beach Day on Seven Mile Beach

Powder-soft sand, calm waves, and sunshine for days — Seven Mile Beach is pure paradise.

Grab a towel, float in the shallows, or stop by Bonny Moon or Tilly’s for a cool drink and an unbeatable sunset view. However you spend it, every beach day here feels like the best day ever.

Taste Cayman — Local Flavors and Island Dining

Grand Cayman is the Caribbean’s culinary capital, where island warmth meets world-class flavor.

Savor oceanfront dining at Morgan’s, Agua, Coccoloba, Grand Old House, or Blue by Eric Ripert, or go barefoot-casual with sustainable, plant-based bites at VIVO Café & Restaurant.

Whichever you choose, the food’s only half the story. The other half is the view.

Plan Your Perfect Grand Cayman Adventure

Ready to book the top thing to do in Cayman? Then head over to our booking page to choose your personalized private boat adventure — the easiest way to plan a day that’s all your own.

Still deciding how many hours to book or which experiences to include? Our Adventure Planner will help you design the perfect day on the water — whether that’s snorkeling vibrant reefs, meeting the stingrays, or watching the bay light up with bioluminescence.

And if you’ve got any questions at all, just drop us an email or give us a call. We’re always happy to help you plan your perfect Cayman adventure.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

What are the top things to do in Grand Cayman?

Start with a Crazy Crab private boat charter that lets you explore Stingray City, Starfish Point, Bio Bay, and more — all tailored to your pace — then explore the Crystal Caves, Seven Mile Beach, the Cayman Turtle Centre, and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.

Is Stingray City safe for families and kids?

Yes, the sandbar is shallow and calm, and licensed captains guide all interactions. Kids can safely touch and feed the friendly rays while adults enjoy the incredible photo opportunities.

When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman’s Bioluminescent Bay?

You can visit year-round and any night of the month. If you’re snorkeling, you’ll have the most immersive experience and see the glow no matter the moon phase. You don’t need to plan around lunar calendars — just pick a calm evening that works for your vacation.

Where can you see blue iguanas in Grand Cayman?

At the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in North Side, home to the Blue Iguana Conservation Facility, you’ll see these once-endangered reptiles up close in their natural habitat.

Can you swim with turtles in Grand Cayman?

Yes, at the Cayman Turtle Centre, you can swim safely with green sea turtles in a supervised lagoon. You can also often see wild turtles while snorkeling on a Crazy Crab private charter.

What are the best beaches in Grand Cayman?

Seven Mile Beach is the island’s crown jewel, with soft sand and gentle waves. Rum Point, Smith Cove, and Starfish Point are also great for swimming and snorkeling.

What’s the best time of year to visit Grand Cayman?

Cayman is beautiful all year round. The dry season (December – April) brings cool breezes and sunshine, while summer means warmer seas and fewer visitors.

How long should I stay in Grand Cayman?

Five to six days gives you a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure — plenty of time for a Crazy Crab day on the water plus beach time, dining, and exploring.