The Best Beaches in the Cayman Islands

In May 2024, the Cayman Islands Government introduced a Shoreline Interactive Map (IMAP) that identifies public pedestrian pathways and beach areas across the three Cayman Islands, featuring details in pop-up boxes. The site uses Google Maps and Google 360 to pinpoint the locations.

Beach access has become a major issue on Grand Cayman, where unrestricted access was once common but has been increasingly lost due to rapid development since Hurricane Ivan.

You can step through the portal here for a map of public beach access locations Island-wide: Public Beach Access Portal

The most famous beach in Grand Cayman! Seven Mile Beach really is this beautiful in real life. Relax and swim at Governor's Beach located next to the Governor's Residence on West Bay Road.

The most popular is of course the pristine Seven Mile Beach, which runs the length of the western side of the island just north of George Town. Two popular spots along this span are Governor’s Beach, adjacent to the Governor’s House (next door to the Westin Resort) and Seven Mile Public Beach, which has cabanas providing shade, public restrooms, a children’s play area, volleyball nets and a 5,575sq ft calisthenics park. Next to Seven Mile Public Beach is Bonny Moon where you can sit and enjoy a cold drink with your toes in the sand.

Farther north, there is Cemetery Beach, which offers plenty of shade and has great snorkelling spots only a few minutes swim offshore.

Rum Point, located at the end of Rum Point Drive, has been a popular spot for locals and tourists for many years. The water is sheltered by the barrier reef and the coast, which makes it ideal for children. It also boasts fantastic snorkelling as far as the Northern-most tip of the point. Look out for the starfish, needle fish, turtles, and all kinds of marine life. There is an on-site restaurant, Rum Point Club Restaurant which serves a variety of food and cold drinks - our suggestion is to try their mudslides! They are open daily from 11am although the kitchen closes at 9pm.

Starfish Point, just beyond Kaibo in North Side, is a nice quiet spot for a picnic or paddle. It is shaded by casuarina trees, has a wide shallow area close to the shore and large starfish can often be found just a few feet off the shore. Starfish are safe to hold so long as you are gentle, but do not ever lift them out of the water even for a few seconds as this can kill them.

Make sure that starfish are kept under the water at all times.

You will see signs posted on the land clearly outlining the fines if you are caught mishandling the starfish.

You can get to Starfish Point by boat or by car – it is about an hour’s drive from George Town. Follow signs to Kaibo Restaurant and it’s a few minutes past there. There is a car park plus showers and restrooms.

Just before Rum Point Club, you will find the beautiful Cayman Kai Public Beach. This rustic beach is north-facing with white sand interspersed with rocky areas and has a cabana, simple restroom facilities and a small car park.

Discover the peace and beauty of Cayman Kai.

This area is a secluded and exclusive enclave of pristine beaches and holiday homes and is one of the most sought after locations in Grand Cayman. When visiting the beach be sure to bring your mask and snorkel as the snorkelling here is excellent!

Spot the Green sea turtles from the little wooden pier but beware of the very strong current at Spotts beach.

Spotts Public Beach, located off Shamrock Road, is a good place to spot turtles in the early morning and late afternoon when they come in to feed. Plus, to the far right of the beach, there are wonderful rock pools. Note: There is a very strong current at this beach and swimming out to the reef is very dangerous and risky. Do not swim out to the cut in the reef.

Just beyond the Grand Old House restaurant is Smith’s Barcadere (also known locally as Smith’s Cove). This is a small public beach with lots of shade, picnic benches, great snorkelling and a lovely place to watch the sunset. It also has fresh water showers and restroom facilities.

Relax in the shade and swim in the Azure water at Smith Barcadere.

There are many other little spots dotted around the districts, including West Bay, Bodden Town, East End and North Side. There are no private beaches in Cayman; all beaches are public (up to the high-water mark). If you want to put your towel on a beach in front of a hotel or condominium complex, you are more than welcome to do so, as long as you stay near the high-water mark and do not use their sun loungers.

We also recommend that you visit the Explore Cayman website for more comprehensive information of the best beaches in the Cayman Islands, including amenities, location and advice on snorkelling.