A Caribbean port city with colonial buildings, duty-free shops, and clear waters for diving. Home to the Cayman Islands National Museum and Seven Mile Beach.
George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands, stretches along the western coast of Grand Cayman. Watch stingrays glide past you at Eden Rock's coral reefs, browse international brands at 30% below retail prices on Cardinal Avenue, and explore artifacts from the island's seafaring past at the National Museum. Seven Mile Beach runs north of the city with powder-white sand and turquoise water that stays at 26°C year-round, while Smith Barcadere's limestone cliffs create a sheltered swimming cove.
Swimming and Snorkeling at Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach extends north from George Town, with water visibility reaching 30 meters on most days. Rent paddleboards for $25/hour or water skis for $45/hour at any of the four public beach access points. The gentle waves and 1-meter depth near the shore make this beach ideal for families with children. Look for sergeant major fish and yellow-tailed snappers while snorkeling around the coral patches 50 meters from shore.
Exploring Downtown George Town
Harbour Drive forms the main street of downtown, with shops filling the blocks between Fort Street and Boilers Road. Walk through Cardinal Avenue's pedestrian zone, where jewelry stores sell Rolex watches and diamond pieces at 20-30% below US prices. The streets become busy with cruise passengers Tuesday through Friday between 9am and 4pm. All shops accept US dollars and major credit cards.
Getting Around George Town
Owen Roberts International Airport links to 15 North American cities and 3 European destinations, with 55 weekly flights. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown takes 10 minutes and costs $20-25. Find taxis at designated stands near cruise terminals and major hotels. If renting a car from agencies at the airport or downtown, remember to drive on the left side.
Local Food Spots
Find restaurants serving Caymanian cuisine along the waterfront between Fort Street and Boilers Road. Levonna's Kitchen changes its menu daily, cooking fish rundown with fresh catch and serving conch stew with cassava. Paradise Restaurant on Church Street makes conch fritters using a 50-year-old family recipe. The Thai restaurant in Queen's Court Plaza prepares pad thai and fresh sushi rolls with locally caught tuna.
Marine Life and Diving
Eden Rock's coral formations rise 12 meters from the seafloor, creating swim-through tunnels and caves. Spot purple parrotfish, queen angelfish, and green sea turtles among the coral heads. At Stingray City's sandbar, stand in chest-deep water as southern stingrays brush past your legs. Glass-bottom boats leave the harbor hourly from 9am to 4pm, with trips lasting 90 minutes.
Weather and When to Visit
George Town's temperature ranges from 25-32°C (77-90°F) throughout the year. The wet season runs May through November with 15-20 rainy days per month, while December through April sees only 4-5 rainy days monthly. Hotel rates increase by 30% during the dry season (December-April). The port receives the most cruise ships between Tuesday and Friday, bringing up to 15,000 daily visitors to downtown.
