George Town, Grand Cayman Cayman Islands

Table Of Content

• Shopping in George Town Near the Cruise Port
• Scuba Diving
• Dining and Shopping
• Stingray City
• Construction on Second Chinese-Built Cruise Ship Well Underway
• 10 of 3,570 Grand Cayman (Georgetown) Cruise Reviews
• Things to Do in Grand Cayman During a Cruise
• Getting from the Owen Roberts International Airport to the Grand Cayman Cruise Port

We immediately update our website with any changes that the cruise lines notify us of and therefore we ask you to check our online schedule regularly. Calls to Cayman and actual arrival and departure times may also be impacted by factors beyond our control (such as weather). We hope our George Town Cruise Port Guide helps you navigate your stay and offers some inspiration on how to make the most of your visit to this vibrant island. This unique attraction allows you to swim and interact with friendly stingrays, some of the largest of their kind in the region. It’s an unforgettable experience, offering both thrills and a chance to connect with nature.

Shopping in George Town Near the Cruise Port

Immediately after, you will not miss the Cayman Cabana restaurant sign - a great place to have lunch or just a drink on the open deck with wonderful ocean views. But the main attraction is really the Sea Trek Experience on the lower deck of the restaurant - here you can safely and comfortably explore the underwater world with a helmet diving system. On the ocean side, with a spectacular location and view, Paradise is both a restaurant (cuisine doesn't match the quality of the location) and shore diving and snorkeling spot. Around 120 yards/meters south of Paradise, you will find Eden Rock Diving Center - one of the best dives in Cayman - and 300 yards/meters farther, another diving center (Don Foster's Dive). Buses are small vans but with air condition, clean, inexpensive and everyone is very friendly - in fact, you will find that many visitors to Grand Cayman use the Public Bus services.

Scuba Diving

Whether you’re basking on the shores of Seven Mile Beach, exploring the island’s intriguing heritage or enjoying a day of adventure, George Town has something for everyone. A sanctuary for sea turtles, this centre offers an up-close experience with these majestic creatures. Learn about conservation efforts and even have the opportunity to interact with the turtles. If you arrive on a busier day, when multiple ships are in port, your ship may dock at George Town’s North or South Terminals. Be amazed at the colorful coral canyons, lively reefs, and the shipwrecks as you enjoy various submarine tours.

Dining and Shopping

This means that cruise ships don’t dock directly at a pier but anchor in the bay. Yes, there are numerous tour operators located at or near the cruise port offering a variety of tours, including city tours, snorkeling excursions, and visits to historical sites. The best ones are situated on the west side of the island and luckily Georgetown is close to them (about 2,5 km away).

Stingray City

There is also an open-air museum where you can see the replicas of Cayman-style houses and gardens. Port George Town Harbour (locode USGGE) is one of the most visited on Western Caribbean cruise itineraries leaving from the USA.

Construction on Second Chinese-Built Cruise Ship Well Underway

Cruise ships anchor and their passengers are transported to the terminal's pier via the ship's tender boats or local (commercial) tenders. Usually, ship's anchorage is approx 15 min away from the cruise terminal. Secluded Beach – Cayman Kai or Rum Point – you’ll be heading in the opposite direction of everyone else, to the northeast of George Town (30-minute drive). George Town is not just a stopover; it’s a vibrant, sun-kissed oasis brimming with Caribbean charm. From the shimmering clear waters and exceptional marine life to the colourful colonial buildings and warm local hospitality, George Town offers a kaleidoscope of experiences, embodying island life’s spirit. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, Georgetown always has something new to discover.

10 of 3,570 Grand Cayman (Georgetown) Cruise Reviews

Just a 10-minute drive from the port, Seven Mile Beach has consistently landed on various lists for the best beach in the Caribbean and the world. For just one example, Seven Mile Beach was rated as the 14th best beach in the world by Tripadvisor in 2023. George Town is a food lover’s paradise with a wide variety of restaurants.

Grassroots Opposition to Cruises in the Caymans Looms as Larger Warning for Industry - Skift Travel News

Grassroots Opposition to Cruises in the Caymans Looms as Larger Warning for Industry.

Posted: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Things to Do in Grand Cayman During a Cruise

Yes, the port and many of the local attractions are accessible to travelers with disabilities. However, it’s recommended to check with specific venues in advance. For those with extra time or returning visitors, the Cayman Islands offer a wealth of experiences beyond Georgetown. Day trips and extended excursions can lead to discovering hidden gems and experiencing the diverse beauty of the islands.

Now that you know why you should pay the Grand Cayman a visit, go ahead and plan your trip there. Don’t worry about the weather, the island just like most Caribbean islands in the west experiences a wet summer and a dry winter. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to pet, play and swim with a dolphin will tell you, that it’s one of the best experiences in the world.

Exploring George Town on your own can be fascinating, but limiting yourself to the city means missing out on other attractions in Grand Cayman. Discover more about these points of interest in my article about the best things to do in Grand Cayman. As you explore the market, you’ll come across a variety of items ranging from hats, bags, and paintings, to intricately carved woodwork. Jewelry lovers can’t miss the selection of necklaces and bracelets made from local materials such as coconut shells, black coral, and Cayamanite. Additionally, you’ll find plenty of stalls selling a wide variety of spices, jams, and delicious local snacks.

Pure white sand, tranquil turquoise waters dotted with resorts, condos, shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants and every conceivable water sport, make this one of the top beaches in the world. Stingray City is a string of sand bars in shallow water where the stingrays have grown accustom to humans after being feed over time by fishermen. If more than one ship is in town, this attraction will get very busy and cruise organized excursion might be the way to go. There is no Wi-Fi available at the cruise port, but there are several shops and restaurants nearby that offer it for customers. Cayman Turtle Centre, which is in the northern part of the island and a 20-minute drive from the port, is another must-do in the Cayman Islands.

Nearby, you’ll also find places to eat and drink, such as Snappers, Island Squeeze, and Tortuga Rum Co. With close to 5 million passengers per year the Cruise Port of Miami is the busiest in the World. The upper floors of the first building are occupied by Breezes, a Tropical Grill also serving pizza that is popular with crew members. Right after, the bright colors of Margaritaville stand out in the Island Plaza Mall. Margaritaville in George Town is a bit smaller than most in the Caribbean but the ambiance is pretty much the same. At the end of the block, Cardinal Avenue is a continuation of the best shops in George Town - Cartier Boutique, Magnum Jewelers, Kirk, La Perfumerie, Time Zone, among others.

It’s the perfect place to find souvenirs, jewellery, and handcrafted goods to remember your trip. Alternatively, local buses are an affordable way to discover the island and are very safe, too. You’ll find the Central Bus Station in George Town, just a few hundred metres from the terminal, next to the public library. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

The library is clean and the staff are friendly, with free Wi-Fi available as well. Additionally, there is a designated children’s section and public computer access. Grand Cayman itself has a comprehensive bus system with 11 routes, covering major spots like Seven Mile Beach, Hell, and Rum Point. When cruising to Grand Cayman, you’ll probably arrive at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal, a spacious open area featuring tour booths, taxis, and various facilities.