In an earlier blog post, I promised to share tips about Seven Mile Beach and several, more secluded beaches in Grand Cayman. Since all beaches here are public up to the high-water line, you can explore the entire coast at your leisure. (There are posted public access paths at regular intervals.)
Here are several stretches of shoreline I recommend, with photos of each beach in the gallery below.
Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach is Grand Cayman’s most famous destination, but it hardly qualifies as a secluded beach. The multiple, daily cruise ships send their thousands of passengers here. Still, no visit to the island is complete without a stop at this gorgeous stretch of white sand and calm, shallow turquoise water.
Seven Mile Beach – Parking Lots & Amenities
But there are just three areas of Seven Mile Beach where you can reliably rent a beach chair and umbrella— nicknamed Governor’s Beach, Public Beach, and Cemetery Beach. All three have parking lots and public toilets. But avoid Public Beach and Governor’s Beach when there’s a cruise ship in port— the passengers are wedged in shoulder to shoulder, under a sea of umbrellas, and ruin the vibe. (Cemetery Beach sits at the northern end of SMB— furthest from the cruise ship terminal— and is apt to be less congested.)
Instead, walk just a couple of blocks in either direction and the crowd thins noticeably. But you’ll have to supply your own beach chair and umbrella. Although you might get lucky, most of the resorts jealously reserve their loungers and shade for registered guests. There are no food vendors on the beach, so you need to bring snacks and drinks with you, too, unless you choose to eat at one of the resorts.
Seven Mile Beach – Pro’s and Con’s
That’s why many overnight visitors choose accommodations directly on Seven Mile Beach. They capitalize on their resort’s beachside amenities and stay within a tight radius— no car needed. The SMB corridor is the most developed part of the island and has the highest concentration of restaurants and activities, too. You’ll find plenty of them within walking distance or a short taxi ride.
But you pay a high price for the convenience. And if you forego a rental car, you’ll miss out on the rest of this beautiful island. (Read why I feel a rental car is necessary when visiting Grand Cayman.)
With car keys in hand, check out these more secluded beaches in Grand Cayman. All of them are easily found using the GPS in your car or smart phone.
Smith Cove
Smith Cove is a great place to start. It’s a much smaller white sand beach, bordered by interesting rock formations that are dotted with tidepools. Because it’s still relatively close to the Seven Mile Beach corridor and the cruise ship terminal, it’s within range of other wanderers. However, I visited Smith Cove twice on weekdays and never saw more than a couple dozen people.
Unlike SMB, Smith Cove has actual surf, and there’s adequate shade as well. Toilets, an outdoor shower, and a couple of picnic tables are available. The parking lot is directly across the street. But again, there are no vendors, so bring everything you need with you.
Spotts Beach
Spotts Beach sits a short distance further up the coast. Palm trees provide plenty of shade here, and the stretch of sand is longer. A moderately sized pier with a ladder at the end allows easy access to the water. Sea turtles frequent the area, and I spotted a handful of snorkelers looking for them. The two dozen or so visitors had plenty of room to spread out.
The only drawback, in my opinion, was the presence of sea grass close to shore. Still, it’s a very quiet expanse of turquoise and white. The beach has a dedicated parking area, toilets, and a gazebo with benches and picnic table. However, there are no vendors, and currents here can be strong.
Colliers Beach
Continue up the coast to find beautiful Collier’s Beach. This one was nearly deserted. I saw just two people sunbathing, and two more couples stopped briefly for photos on the pier. The sea grass here was more prevalent, though, and there was less natural shade. But the beach does have a couple of gazebos, toilets, and a shower. And it’s a beautiful place to have almost entirely to yourself. Need I say it? No vendors.
Barker’s National Park
Grand Cayman on a map vaguely resembles a whale swimming east with its tail raised. With that in mind, Smith Cove, Spotts Beach, and Colliers Beach are distributed along the whale’s belly. But the beaches of Barker’s National Park— where you have many opportunities for almost total seclusion— are at the very tip of the whale’s tail.
The Park is better termed a wilderness conservation area. At the entrance, the pavement gives way to a deeply rutted and extensively potholed dirt road. It’s plenty wide to maneuver— slowly— in a car. But as you drive further and further into the park, you’ll start to question if you’re on the right path. Look to your left— the narrow breaks in the brush every couple hundred feet are what you’re seeking.
They’re just wide enough for a car to pass through. And they lead to clearings where you can park. Waiting for you just steps away are beautiful, empty beaches where you can be alone with the sand and surf, and find ample shaded areas, too. If the first spot isn’t to your liking, drive or walk further along the shore. You’re sure to find your own piece of paradise.
The winds here are sometimes favorable for kite surfing. And the ocean horseback excursions depart from this stretch of the coast. It’s also one of the few areas in Grand Cayman where you can legally fly a drone. But the spots I visited had no facilities at all and— say it with me— no vendors.
An Inconvenient Compromise — Rum Point
But what if you’re looking for something halfway between seclusion and hordes of cruise ship passengers? Someplace with food and drinks, full facilities, beach chairs and umbrellas, a long pier, water activities, and abundant parking?
Head to Rum Point— the pay-as-you-go beach club, not the geographical feature (although they’re in the same general area). It’s about 45-60 minutes away from Seven Mile Beach by car, but you’ll want for nothing.
Rum Point can become crowded— especially on weekends and holidays. But in the unlikely event it matches SMB’s cruise ship crowds, you’re still better off with all the amenities at Rum Point. (Use of the beach, loungers, umbrellas, and rest rooms was free when I visited. You paid only for optional food, drinks, and water activities.)
Beyond the Beaches
En route to Rum Point you’ll pass by, or near, all my recommended non-beach activities. With those attractions and this list of secluded beaches in Grand Cayman, you’ll have thoroughly sampled the very best of this beautiful island. Enjoy!
Are beaches your thing? Check out my post about a little-known but must-see island in the Caribbean.
