By: Laura Di Nardo

Grand Cayman offers a plethora of family friendly activities. If your children are animal lovers there are no shortage of turtles, dolphins and stingrays on this island. Here are the top 5 activities that’s fun for the whole family.

5. Birding

With a strong commitment to conservation and environmental protection, the a Cayman Islands vacation is an extraordinary choice for bird watchers and the feathered friends they treasure. While the Cayman Islands is home to a wide variety of bird species; dozens of others make Cayman their home away from home, providing bird watchers a glimpse of up to 200 different species in peak season.

Friendly parrot saying hello

Grand Cayman has seven protected bird sanctuaries, including the QE II Botanic Park, Colliers Pond, Salina Reserve and the Majestic Reserve. Cayman Brac is home to a 180-acre parrot reserve where you can glimpse the rare, endangered Brac Parrot. Little Cayman’s Booby Pond Reserve protects the habitat of the brown and red-footed boobies, hosting the largest colony of red-footed boobies in the Western Hemisphere.

4. Horseback Riding

A family excursion or a romantic evening ride, a horseback adventure makes for wonderful memories on your Caribbean vacation. Your tour can take you along the beach, down quiet roads and out into the ocean for a cool refreshing dip in the sea during the ride. This adventure is great for couples or families and many of the companies will take children as young as 6. 

Horseback riding across the beach

Horse back riding companies are located in West Bay, George Town and North Side. A beach ride can last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Costs range from USD $90 to USD $130 per person including a beach and swim ride.

3. Dolphin Discovery

If you have ever wanted an opportunity to belly ride with a dolphin, give a handshake or even a kiss, the Swim Adventure Experience is for you. Lasting 30 minutes, which includes an educational aspect during the program in the water you will be in a group of max 12 people and have time to spend with the dolphins. This experience costs USD $159.00/adult and $139.00/child. There are other programs available ranging from 30-60 minutes. The dolphinarium is about 10km from George Town and will cost around USD $20 to get there in a taxi. 

If you have limited time, visit the Turtle Farm and the Dolphinarium on the same day as they are across the road from one another.

2. Stringray City with Red Sail Sports

Take a morning, afternoon or evening sail on one of Red Sail Sports boats. If you want to sail and be one of the only people swimming amongst stingrays, opt for the earliest departure where breakfast is also included. One highlight is standing on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean and swimming in crystal clear blue water. A stingray sandbar & reef sail on a 65’ catamaran will cost USD $85.00/adult and $42.50/children 3-11 years old and runs for 3.5 hours.  

1. Cayman Turtle Farm

The Cayman turtle farm is home to over 11,000 green sea turtles ranging from babies to full grown adult turtles. Visitors have an opportunity to hold turtles for amazing photo opportunities and can tour a working farm. Perhaps the best part of the turtle farm is the opportunity to snorkel with exotic fish and the turtles themselves in the park’s 1.3 million gallon saltwater lagoon. The Cayman Turtle farm is open seven days a week from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

 

For more information visit caymanislands.ky