Outdoor Activities for Kids

Kids love to play outside in Cayman, either on the beach or on grassy fields, where they can explore, play games and mingle. If you are struggling to find outdoor activities for your children to take part in, look no further

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment

Learn from Cousteau-trained naturalists about Grand Cayman’s natural wonders with ecoadventure activities offered to adults, children and business groups through Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment programme at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Activities include everything from shipwreck snorkelling and mangrove kayak explorations to photography, arts and crafts and science experiments. The activities are fun for all and also offered as after-school activities, along with summer and fall camps. For more information, contact (345) 815 6120 or email: caymanambassadors@ritzcarlton.com.

Black Pearl Skate Park

Located behind Grand Harbour Shopping Centre in Red Bay, the Black Pearl Skate Park is the largest in North America and the second largest in the world. It has 62,000sq ft of beginner, intermediate and expert flow, as well as street courses. The park is operated by the Cayman Islands Skateboard Association (CISA). It is open Sunday-Thursday, 3pm-7pm, and Friday-Saturday, 3pm-9pm. Membership fees range from CI$45 per month to CI$300 for the year. The resident daily rate is CI$7 and the visitor rate is CI$10. Equipment available for rent includes: skateboards, scooters, helmets and elbow and knee pads. They do not offer BMX bikes for rental at the moment. The Park also includes three half basketball courts and rents out basketballs, table tennis tables, foosball tables and board games. The Park is also available to host birthday parties. Contact Michael Myles on (345) 939 1301, email: skate@blackpearl.ky, or visit www.blackpearl.ky.

Cayman Parrot Sanctuary

Located on Austin Conolly Drive, East End, The Cayman Parrot Sanctuary offers a friendly, interactive and educational experience. It features a variety of Cayman’s native animals. These include Cayman Parrots, goats, snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs, cockatiels and agoutis. Currently, they are open on Saturdays and Sundays only from 10am-5pm. Admission for adults (ages 16+) is CI$10 and CI$7 for children (ages 3+) with free admission for children two years and under. Visit their Facebook page for updates on their opening times as they are subject to change in the coming months.

Cayman Turtle Centre

Located in West Bay, The Cayman Turtle Centre offers guests a variety of unique experiences. Learn about and observe sea turtles up close and take the photo of a lifetime in one of the turtle touch tanks. Swim or snorkel with yearling green sea turtles and other colourful marine life, experience hand-feeding birds in the Caribbean Aviary, watching the Predator Reef Feeding Frenzy, or join Smiley’s Croc Encounter on specific weekdays. Eat lunch in the restaurant overlooking the lagoon where the resident peacock family hang out, and then swim in the Island’s largest pool with its two waterfalls, underwater viewing panel and Turtle Twister water slide. Open Monday to Sunday 8am-5pm (with last admission at 4.30pm). The resident rate for adults is CI$15 and CI$10 for children 12 years and under with free admission for children two years and under. There is a courtesy shuttle bus that picks up guests from hotels along Seven Mile Beach or plenty of parking if you decide to drive. For more information, call (345) 949 3894, email: info@turtle.ky or visit www.turtle.ky.

Camana Bay

Camana Bay’s Town Centre is a delightful place to take a stroll with your children. It offers wide shady avenues, landscaped courtyards with water features, fountains for children to play in and benches to sit on. Climb the Observation Tower, one of the tallest buildings on Grand Cayman at 75 ft (lifts are also available), for panoramic views of the Island. The book store, Next Chapter, also has a great kids section filled with plenty of books and toys to choose from.

Cayman Crystal Caves

Situated in a lush tropical forest in North Side, the Cayman Crystal Caves offer an underground adventure into a fascinating world. When you visit Cayman Crystal Caves, you will be escorted by a knowledgeable tour guide and join them on an adventure of “Cayman Down Under”. You will venture into amazing caves where you will see stalactite and stalagmite crystal structures and otherworldly formations formed by single drops of water and the slow passage of time. Tour the unique tropical forest under which the caves formed. Amongst the forest and caves are captivating tropical plant and animal life. Tours are approximately one-and-a-half hours and take you through the surrounding tropical forest area and spectacular caves. Pre-booking is required. Open seven days a week, with tours running from 9am-4pm. Adults US$40, children 12 and under US$30. Tel: (345) 949 2283, email: info@caymancrystalcaves.com or visit www.caymancrystalcaves.com.

Dolphin Encounter Attractions

Currently, there is one dolphin attraction in Cayman. Dolphin Discovery (Tel: (345) 769 7946) located adjacent to the Cayman Turtle Centre in West Bay. It offers three different programmes and special rates for residents starting at CI$85 for adults and CI$75 for kids under 12 years old. At Dolphin Discovery, guests can enjoy a free dolphin presentation every Saturday and Sunday at 12.30pm.

Nautilus: The Undersea Tour & Allura Catamaran

Enjoy a tour of the beautiful underwater world with Nautilus: The Undersea Tour and Allura Catamaran. This semi-submerged airconditioned observatory offers an exciting and educational experience with a marine expert sharing the history of the shipwrecks, the Cali and the Balboa. At Cheeseburger Reef, enjoy the colourful coral while their divers feed the fish outside your window. For more information on how to book a tour, visit their Facebook page, email miranda@nautilus.ky or call (345) 945 1355.

The CI Humane Society - Volunteering

The Cayman Islands Humane Society is located at 153 North Sound Road, next to A. L. Thompson’s at the Butterfield roundabout. Local families are encouraged to consider adopting a dog from them as an alternative to shipping in a dog from overseas or buying from a breeder. Volunteers are also always needed for dog walking, pet grooming, and dog and cat socialising. They operate an excellent second-hand bookstore (Book Loft) and a thrift shop (Claws-It). Call (345) 949 1461 or visit www.caymanislandshumanesociety.com for more information on how you can help.

Educational Activitieskeyboard_arrow_right

Mastic Reserve & Trail and the Blue Iguana Safari are good educational activities that are great for older kids and teens.

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Parasailing & Paddleboarding

For an incredible view of Seven Mile Beach, take a ride on a parasail. Parasailing Professionals offer single, double and triple rides that take off and land from the back of their parasail boat. A wonderful family experience for kids of six years and older, depending on their confidence levels. Call (345) 916 2953 and ask about resident discounts.

If your kids are keen on learning how to paddleboard, join the Salty Squad. They meet after school, on weekends, holidays and during summer. They also host an all-inclusive ocean sports youth programme. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Pedro St. James Castle

This 18th-century Great House, known by locals as ‘Pedro Castle’, is a great place for all ages to learn about the early history of Cayman. With a multi-sensory movie theatre, a variety of 18th-century artefacts and a rich history to learn about, this experience truly is a “step back in time” that will stimulate any child’s imagination. Ask for the Nature and History Trail Hunt for children or the history quiz if you really want to test your little ones. With a playground, lots of green space, activities and the Thatch & Barrel restaurant serving tasty bites, your children are guaranteed to have a fun time at Pedro St. James! It is also a great place to hold kids’ parties. Located in Savannah, Pedro St. James is just a 20-minute drive from George Town and is open daily from 8.30am-5pm. Resident rates are CI$5 for adults and admission is free for seniors 65+ and children five and under. A valid ID is required for resident rates. For more information, Tel: (345) 947 3329 or email: info@pedrostjames.ky.