Cayman Islands
District Map
Grand Cayman
West Bay
West Bay is a residential neighbourhood at the top western end of the Island. It is less expensive than George Town or Seven Mile Beach and there are some lovely homes and condominiums on or near the sea. You will find stunning deserted beaches, an array of restaurants to enjoy and plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.
Seven Mile Beach
SMB is divided into two areas: the beach and across the road from the beach. Both are ideal locations within walking distance to restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops and Camana Bay's town centre, and soon there will be a new private hospital, Health City, which broke ground in the first quarter of 2022 and is being built on a 70,000sq ft site near Camana Bay.
George Town
George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands. It is located on the southwest corner of Grand Cayman and has a busy port, with an influx of several cruise ships almost daily and cargo ships unloading most evenings.
South Sound
The popularity of South Sound isn’t surprising given its proximity to the water, schools and George Town. It is also home to the Cayman Islands Rugby Club, Tennis Club and Squash Club, the DART park, a public dock, a government boat launching ramp and many lovely beaches. The South Sound boardwalk is a lovely place to take a stroll at sunset and you can kayak or kitesurf just off the beach.
Prospect & Red Bay
Prospect and Red Bay, which are right next to each other, are one of the fastest growing areas in Grand Cayman. They are close to George Town, schools and the Shoppes at Grand Harbour, which has various shops, two restaurants, a large supermarket (Hurley’s Marketplace), and the Caribbean’s largest skate park: The Mountain Dew Black Pearl.
Savannah, Lower Valley, & Newlands
This is another area with both inland and canal front properties. Sunrise Landings and North Sound Estates (both canal front areas) fall within Savannah and Lower Valley. These areas are very popular with young families as land is still affordable.
Bodden Town
Bodden Town is the former capital of Grand Cayman, named after a former leader of the government, William Bodden. Legend has it that the famous pirate, Neal Walker made Bodden Town his headquarters and that much treasure is hidden along the coast and in caves. Today, the community still has the feel of a small Caribbean town, with a mixture of locals and expats living alongside one another.
North Side
Almost every house, drive or walk involves a sea view and holiday atmosphere, and you will find a wide cross-section of society living in the district of North Side. Many houses are owned by long-term visitors, who have been visiting Cayman on vacation regularly for 20 or 30 years. You will also find short-term vacationers staying at The Retreat, Island Houses, Kaibo Yacht Club Villas or The Pools of the Kai Condominiums. There are many retirees in the area too, so very few actually commute into town for work.
Cayman Kai
Escape the crowds and congestion for a slower pace of life of life in tranquil Cayman Kai. This unspoiled part of Cayman’s coastline offers stunning beaches framed with palm trees and calm, shallow waters. It’s a wonderful spot for swimming and other watersports such as paddleboarding, jet skiing, kayaking and more. Don’t miss the magical tours by Cayman Kayaks where you will witness the Bioluminescence phenomenon - the production and emission of light by a living organism.
Rum Point
Rum Point has a beautiful stretch of beach and faces the North Sound. It has shade, clear waters, exclusive million-dollar homes and some more affordable condos. Nice things to do in the area include paddleboarding, waterskiing, kayaking, sailing and taking a boat to the Sandbar to see the stingrays. White Sand Water Sports offers a daily sunrise trip to Stingray City Sandbar. The boat leaves from Kaibo's dock at 7am. Your first stop will be at the Sandbar, to feed the stingrays their first meal of the day before the hordes of tour operators arrive. Make sure to book well in advance, as it is incredibly popular.
East End
Said to have some of the friendliest residents on Island, East End maintains its small neighbourhood feel, thanks to the area being less-developed than Cayman's western side. You will discover numerous unspoiled beaches that are great for exploring. Bring lunch or dinner and some drinks and take advantage of these deserted beaches and incredible sea views.
Cayman Brac
West End
In Cayman Brac’s West End you will find the airport, two grocery stores, a gas station and couple of condo complexes in this area. Hence, the north shore of the West End has the highest population of residents on the Island. The famous Russian wreck dive, renamed M.V. Capt. Keith Tibbetts, lies just offshore. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism Information Centre is located here, as well as West End Primary School (a Government Hurricane Shelter) and the Island’s only airport: Charles Kirkconnell International Airport.
Stake Bay
On the north side, Stake Bay roughly refers to the middle section of the Island. Stake Bay is the capital of the Island and is where you will find the main Government building, the hospital, the museum, a grocery store and the Island’s only high school – the highly respected Layman E. Scott Sr. High School.
The Bluff
The Island’s gentle ascent eventually leads to the limestone cliffs which are its namesake. A lighthouse crowns the 150ft tall seaside edge of the bluff, providing beautiful ocean views. The birds circling overhead may eventually lead you back inland to the ancient woodlands of the Brac Parrot Reserve. It is home to many endemic flora and fauna species of the Cayman Islands. The Bluff has seen a significant increase in housing developments and it also has the Government owned, Cayman Brac Day Care Centre.
Eastern Districts
Continue east to Watering Place, Creek and Spot Bay and you’ll find a true Cayman Brac welcome. “Mom and Pop” stores and small local restaurants showcase authentic souvenirs and traditional Caymanian fare. The Cayman Brac Heritage House is located between Creek and Spot Bay and compliments the Cayman Brac Museum, offering reenactments of our country’s past, with displays showing how islanders of the past used natural resources to create houses and tools. There are two primary schools, Creek Primary School and Spot Bay Primary School, in this area.
Little Cayman
Sound Hole Sound
The Island’s most famous diving destinations, the Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Wall, are both on the north side of this part and are easily accessible to divers staying at any of the resorts or villas in the area. Paradise Villas is the closest, but there are other good options including the Southern Cross Club, Pirates Point Resort, Little Cayman Beach Resort and The Conch Club.
East Point
Heading up the road away from South Hole, the Island becomes more and more of a deserted paradise. South Hole Sound is at the border of the two areas, and the beautiful South Shore provides stunning views on the way to Point of Sand at the eastern end of the Island, where you can gaze across the water towards Cayman Brac. Heading back on the northern side you will pass by Crawl Bay and Jackson Point. Point of Sand is located at the very tip of Little Cayman and is probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. The sea is crystal clear and incredibly inviting. Just don’t swim there after dusk – sharks also love this spot!
