12 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

1. Enroll to riding lessons at Equestrian Center

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Equestrian Center in Halfway Pond offers riding lessons for riders of all ages and experience levels. You can opt for Beginner, Jumping, Boarding, or Dressage lessons, depending on how experienced you are on a horse. This club is one of the only two centers offering Vaulting lessons.

From time to time, the center organizes summer camps and activities. Details of which can be found on their site. There’s also a Pony Club that hosts its own adventure club activities and birthday parties.

Riding Lessons at Equestrian Center

Address: Halfway Pond, Just off of the Linford Pierson Highway, PO Box 818, George Town KY1-1103, Cayman Islands

Website: Equestrian Center

2. Experience a bioluminescent tour at Bio Bay

Cayman Kayaks Bioluminescent Tour is a unique experience for locals and visitors of the Cayman Islands alike. This one of its kind experience at the Bioluminescent Bay will leave you feeling captivated by the magical beauty of the natural world. You’ll be able to explore the bioluminescence between your fingers and toes as you row on a kayak or electric-powered catamaran. The tour is available for both daytime and nighttime, but to experience the full beauty of this phenomenon, nighttime is the best option.

Dummy Attraction / Tour / Activity

Address: Cayman Kayaks Bioluminescent Tour

Website: Cayman Kayaks

Price: 75 USD per person

3. Relax at Barkers Beach

This incredible beach is situated in the heart of a national park and it features blue, shallow waters, ideal for paddle boarding and kayaking, lush tropical foliage and beautiful meandering sands ready to be explored. Walk along the shoreline and see the fantastic tree plantations while you enjoy the beautiful songs of the birds or unwind in the beach lounge. Visiting this location during the windy season (November to April) welcomes in more adventure if you enjoy riding on horseback at sunset, across a white sandy beach.

Barkers Beach

Address: West Bay, Cayman Islands

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Go surfing at South Sound Beach

The South Sound Beach is located on the South Western tip of Grand Cayman and it is one of the most preferred beaches for fun activities that are not common in other beaches, such as snorkeling and surfing. Surfing and waves are not accessible on this island because the wind doesn’t encourage such activity. However, from June to November, South Sound Beach provides a perfect avenue for surfing and it is mostly crowded. You may be advised to stay off these areas as a beginner, due to the shallow waters, exposing the sea and coral urchins on the rocky seabed which may pose danger. But as a skilled surfer, you shouldn’t miss the exciting moments.

South Sound Beach

Address: S Sound Rd, George Town, Cayman Islands

5. Enjoy a beer at 19-81 Taproom

On a research trip to the Cayman Islands, Jordan MacNevin felt the need to bring a local, quality, craft brewery that would reflect the lifestyle of the region. The brewery made its debut in 2018, a first of its kind, and it has inspired its audience with three unique blends of flagship beers: the Islands Session, the Cayman Blonde and Tropical IPA. Have a taste of these beers, crafted specially to ensure a better drinking experience. Apart from this excellent selection, the brewery also boasts of other releases available at their tap room, situated in 273 Dorcy Drive, including the sizzling oatmeal stout mixed with a cocoa nip and coconut.

19-81 Taproom

Address: 273 Dorcy Drive George Town, Grand Cayman Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Website: 19-81 Taproom

Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 5pm; Tue - Thu: 3pm - 7pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

6. Experience the Blue Iguana at the Botanic Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Also known as Queen Elizabeth II Park, this destination boasts of a fantastic mix of history, culture and natural elegance, making it one of the unique things you can do in Grand Cayman. The sights of the beautiful floral displays, which adorn the Caymanian garden, are breathtaking. Explore the lake region, a breeding site for a plethora of uncommon aquatic animals and birds of the Caribbean origin, or kick back at the Tea House offering delicious beverages with scenic views of the surrounding. A walk through this magnificent garden will leave you with unbeatable memories, especially if you are a lover of nature.

Blue Iguana at the Botanic Park

Address: 8VQW+36, Gun Bay, Cayman Islands

Website: Blue Iguana at the Botanic Park

Price: from 23 USD

7. Enjoy waterfront dining at Grand Old House

Nestled only a five-minute drive from Georgetown on the shores of the Caribbean Ocean, the Grand Old House is a premier celebration, community events and wedding destination that made its debut in 1908 as a plantation house. Today, this fantastic venue provides the best restaurant services in the Grand Canyon, serving award-winning wines, a local and international dish menu and live music. You can either relax in the waterfront terrace and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean or kick back in one of the air-conditioned rooms from a unique gastronomic experience.

Grand Old House

Address: 648 South Church Street, Cayman Islands

Website: Grand Old House

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 5:30pm - 10pm; Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10pm

8. Try the delicious Tortuga Rum Cake

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LIVE Street Food Festival (@streetfoodbylive)

Savor award-winning Tortuga Rums and world recognized Tortuga Rum Cakes produced by the Tortuga Rum Company. The cakes were first served in 1987 from a local family recipe and over the years, has attracted a myriad of visitors and locals for its acclaimed taste. Pitched in the west coast of West Bay, the factory produces more than 5,000 cakes a day. Make it a date to this place and see how they make this delicious cake. Enjoy the provided free samples and also purchase some at the gift shop to take home as a present.

Tortuga Rum and Rum Cake Factory

Address: Tortuga Way, North Sound Road, KY1-1106, Cayman Islands

Website: Tortuga Rum and Rum Cake Factory

Opening hours: 9am - 11pm (daily)

9. Visit Davinoffs’s Concrete Sculpture Garden

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This marvelous sculpture garden, sitting in the North Side of Grand Cayman on a residential property, is an ideal destination to get acquainted with the culture and arts of the island. The park features exotic foliage, sand flooring and a plethora of sizable sculptures including octopus, crabs, scorpions, turtles, life-size Cuban Crocodile and other animals found on Grand Cayman.

Also, catch exotic views of the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea in the distant. Your kids will love the atmosphere, fun and amazing offerings of this place. Free admission makes this one of the cheap things you can do in Grand Cayman for an incredible experience.

Davinoffs’s Concrete Sculpture Garden

Address: Old Robin Rd, Old Man Bay, Cayman Islands

Website: Davinoffs’s Concrete Sculpture Garden

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Shop at Farmers' and Artisans' Markets

This market is conveniently placed between the western part of the Owen Roberts International Airport and the Midtown Plaza in George Town and it holds exciting shopping experiences from everyone. The marketplace is a famous avenue where farmers around the island showcase their seasonal and fresh farm produce, while professional artisans offer the best of their local jewelry, crafts and more. Never go hungry while in this destination that boasts amazing local chefs offering freshly squeezed juices, lunches, soups, smoothies and more. If you are amazed by the fruit-bearing plants around the island, you can get their seeds at the plant stand of the market to plant at home.

Farmers and Artisan’s Market

Address: The Paseo, 10 Market St, Camana Bay KY1-9006, Cayman Islands

Website: Farmers and Artisan’s Market

Opening hours: Wed: 10am - 3pm; (closed on Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri, Sat & Sun)

Enjoy wonderful memories

Do more with your time in this great playground for the wealthy, a financial hub and a fun-filled location by indulging in popular Grand Cayman activities. Enjoy beautiful memories worth remembering by including these top things to do on your itinerary while planning your visit to the awesome Grand Cayman.