Grand Cayman Vacation: North Side vs. West Bay

Welcome back to another Grand Cayman write-up! If you are new here, my family and I are big fans of this tropical jewel in the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman offers world-class beaches, spectacular dining, genuinely kind locals, and a wealth of exhilarating excursions. It is truly a DREAM destination for divers, snorkelers, and families!

Traveling to Grand Cayman is an easy decision, but deciding where to stay may pose a dilemma (especially for first-time visitors). Doing research prior to booking any accommodations is a vital step to ensure maximum enjoyment of your holiday!

To avoid confusion, it is important to know that Grand Cayman is divided into 5 districts: George Town, Bodden Town, North Side, East End, and West Bay (also referred to as West End). Each district has its own unique personality!

My 12 year old daughter, Brooklyn, chose to return to Grand Cayman for this summer’s family vacation. Last year, her and I spent an incredible week in a resort of the West Bay district, home of the award-winning Seven Mile Beach! For more in depth information on the Grand Cayman island and the West Bay, see my “Cayman Islands vs. Turks & Caicos” blog and vlog.

Seeking a totally different experience for this year’s trip, we decided to book a vacation rental in North Side and a rental car. We planned to do more island exploration rather than lounging around the same resort all week.

My goal for this blog is to offer an honest perspective of two very popular locations—North and West districts of Grand Cayman, and compare both vacation experiences. I have also included our 7-day North Side itinerary. Wherever you land in Cayman, rest assured you are in one of the safest paradises of the entire Caribbean!

Are North Side & West Bay Really That Different?

The North Side and West Bay of Grand Cayman differ greatly. It would be fair to say they are complete opposites of one another in terms of a vacation experience. Choosing between the two honestly comes down to your personal preferences, so let’s first delve into the highlights of each…

The North Side of Grand Cayman is known for being tranquil and secluded, providing a more authentic island feel for its visitors. It takes approximately 50 minutes by car from GCM airport to reach Rum Point area of North Side. Renting a car is necessary if you plan on dining out or exploring other parts of Grand Cayman when staying in North Side. There are not many restaurants, large resorts, or shops in this location—attributing to its peaceful vibe. Rum Point and Bioluminescent Bay are two of the most visited attractions in North Side. Internet reviews of North Side beaches are often interpreted as inferior to West Bay’s, but keep in mind that is a subjective notion. There are great snorkeling and diving spots. The showcase of contrasting blues along the coastline is breathtaking upon first sight. If you prefer a quiet location enveloped by nature, you just might belong to the North Side fan club!

In comparison to North Side, the West Bay of Grand Cayman is a well-developed, bustling little gem. The closest border of West Bay from GCM airport is a 10-15 minute drive, depending on traffic. You can get by without a rental car when staying in West Bay. The close proximity to the country’s capital city of George Town is an alluring perk for many tourists. Seven Mile Beach of West Bay is often hailed as the most precious jewel of the entire Cayman Islands! This picture-perfect stretch of powdery white sand and crystal clear water is why this beach is ranked as one of the best in the world! West Bay houses many of the island’s restaurants, oceanfront resorts, shops, and numerous excursions. Subsequently, tourists should expect to pay more to stay on this part of Grand Cayman. If walkable restaurants and shops are important to you, or you prefer pristine beaches, the West Bay might be your best bet!

Our Vacation Experience in North Side

~Lodging Details~

We booked an awesome VRBO rental called Korner Kai in the Rum Point area. The oceanfront condo was well-stocked, immaculately clean, and included a kayak stored right at the water’s edge! The screened in deck offered a cozy and private view of the ocean. This condo was peaceful yet conveniently located next door to the Kaibo Yacht Club. The Rum Point Water Ferry runs between Kaibo’s dock and Camana Bay in George Town. Certain excursions offer pickup at Rum Point’s dock. The location is extremely convenient for a North Side accommodation!

~Favorite Excursions & Activities~

Seahorse Diving School is technically located in George Town, but the owners (Sonia and Fulvio) can meet or provide pickup for dive sites throughout the entire island. We are always blown away by the snorkeling and diving at Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto. Water access is by ladder and leads to wonderous underwater tunnels and a plethora of marine life activity (more detail about this location to come later). A night dive at Macabuca is next on our list with Seahorse Diving School. We keep coming back to Sonia and Fulvio because they are amazing souls, and incredibly talented as dive masters! Seahorse Diving School is hands down the best in Grand Cayman, and the only way to go with kids learning this sport!

Stingray City & Snorkeling Tour with Red Sails Sports was once again an unforgettable experience! This company offers pickup for excursions at Rum Point’s dock, which is great to know for visitors lodging in North Side of Grand Cayman. I will never get tired of being surrounded by droves of stingrays, handling them, and observing their unique personalities. You will not believe how gorgeous the water is at Stingray City, and the neighboring barrier reef provides UNREAL snorkeling! If you only do one excursion by boat in Grand Cayman, do this one!

Bioluminescent Bay, a very popular Grand Cayman attraction, was walkable or “kayakable” from our Korner Kai condo. The kayak excursions depart from nearby Rum Point dock (link above is an eco-friendly tour option). Seth went back twice to snorkel in Bio Bay since we were visiting during the optimal moon cycle for visibility (new moon). He couldn’t believe how amazing it looked when snorkeling underwater compared to viewing outside of the water—night and day in the WOW factor! Just be mindful of potential jellyfish in the bay. Check the moon phases prior to your trip and plan for the darkest night. If you book an excursion rather than a self-guided tour, book in advance! This rare phenomenon of bioluminescence is sought by many travelers, making the North Side of Grand Cayman even more special!

Starfish Point is another North Side attraction that was walkable from our Korner Kai condo. Easy parking is available too. Several tour companies offer an excursion to this this special beach where many starfish can be seen close to shore. When lodging in North Side, you can just walk on over and enjoy this idyllic beach under the palm trees. Please do not touch the starfish or lift them out of the water under any circumstances, even if you see others doing so! The starfish are protected creatures who are easily harmed when disturbed.

Crystal Caves is now open as a tourist attraction after two decades of preparation. Visitors are guided through 3 out of over 100 caves on the grounds!! We learned about the fascinating history of the caves from their use as pirate hideouts to being mined for fertilizer. Bonus for fellow animal lovers—there are so many bats snuggled up against the ceilings! Swoon!! 😍

Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park of North Side is a real treasure of Grand Cayman. This 65-acre park contains several gardens, a large lake, rare aquatic birds, and a visitor’s center. It houses the conservation facility for endangered Blue Iguanas, only found in Grand Cayman. We ended up skipping this on our itinerary with major regrets to follow.

~North Side Beaches and Snorkeling~

Water Cay Public Beach was just a few steps away from our condo. This calm and secluded beach is great for kids or those looking to chill. There were never any waves or rough current during our time on this beach!

Rum Point Beach was walkable from our condo as well, or an easy drive with parking. This beach is a pretty famous island attraction with water sports, snorkeling, and a fantastic restaurant! If you are a strong swimmer, one of the best snorkeling spots called Coral Gardens can be accessed from Rum Point. You will need to swim approximately 250 yards (~230 meters) from shore, through boating lanes and strong currents. While swimming out for the first time, you can use any anchored boats ahead with snorkelers as a guide. Once you get close, you will quickly become surrounded by endless coral and buzzing marine life! If you aren’t a strong swimmer, here are some tour options that include a stop at Coral Gardens. It is unbelievable!!!

Cayman Kai is another public beach in North Side with calm waters and stunning horizon views from the sandy shores! This northeastern facing beach is a great place to catch the sunrise.

Good Mood Swing is an iconic stop when venturing along the North Side of Grand Cayman. The swings are surrounded by a picture-perfect landscape of lush tropical vegetation, tiny butterflies, and turquoise waters. The rocky shore beneath the swings was fun for us to explore but not kid-friendly for much more than a photo-op.

~Favorite Beaches & Snorkeling Outside of North Side~

Eden’s Rock & Devil’s Grotto in West Bay are said to be two of the best shore diving locations in the world! Brooklyn was thrilled to dive through underwater tunnels this trip! Sharks, eagle rays, octopuses, coral reef, and more can be spotted in the snorkeling zone close to the shoreline as well. Access to the water is by ladder into the most beautiful, calm water imaginable.

Barefoot Beach is just 2 miles from the border of North Side. We loved having this East End beach all to ourselves! Here you can find the Geneva Kathleen shipwreck, so bring your snorkel gear. The ship can be found about 100 yards (~91 meters) from the beach swimming East towards the cliffs. You will swim over grassy underwater meadows before finding the debris of the wreckage.

Smith’s Barcadere aka Smith’s Cove is one of our favorite beaches for both lounging and snorkeling. It is perfect for all ages! There is no boat traffic and the waters are calm. You can find a large parking lot directly across the street from this picturesque rocky cove in George Town. Restrooms, showers, and picnic tables are located right on the beach. Snorkeling is pretty good for a location so close to shore. A short 30-yard (~27 meter) swim will lead you to coral filled with schools of various fish species!

The Blowholes of East End were not high on my priority list of attractions while in Grand Cayman if I’m being truthful. The reviews out there are mixed, but boy am I glad we made the stop to this unique natural attraction! It was one of the most special places we spontaneously explored together. The blowholes were showing off that day with massive geysers. My daughter loved it so much!

Spotts Beach is where you go for snorkeling with turtles in their natural habitat of Grand Cayman! If you know me, you know I don’t ever miss a chance to do this. Arrive early in the morning for the best chance of spotting these quick little cuties grazing in the seagrass. Be aware that the current here can become very dangerous. Wear a life jacket no matter how strong of a swimmer you are! After the warnings and stories I have read of drowning incidents here, I would not chance it.

Macabuca Bar & Grill Free and convenient water access by ladder is steps away from the dining area. So cool, I know!! You will enter a rocky alcove and swim into open ocean to explore Turtle Reef, several mini walls, and a rich variety of marine life. Macabuca is considered one of the best sites for shore diving in Grand Cayman. Night dives are very popular here too! Food details are shared in the next section…

~Favorite Nearby Restaurants~

Click on any of the restaurant titles for menu links. I highly suggest making dinner reservations at least one week in advance if possible. I am not the type to make reservations as we prefer to keep our dining schedule very flexible. Grand Cayman is an exception for me. I’m telling you, the food on this island is phenomenal and most restaurants stay busy for that reason!

Tukka East End

This was our favorite meal of the trip! Although not technically a North Side recommendation, Tukka East End is worth the short drive over! If you are staying at a resort in East End, ask the front desk about Tukka’s free shuttle service. This highly rated location lived up to all the hype in my family’s opinion. The lobster poutine fries are to die for!!! Reservations are recommended, especially during high season of December through April.

Rum Point Restaurant

Rum Point is a legend. There is a reason why Disney Cruisers come all the way from the port at George Town to enjoy their reserved seating on this beach. The food, drinks, and service are all INCREDIBLE. Their famous mudslides are a nice way to end an excursion or snorkeling tour nearby, trust me!

Kaibo Beach Restaurant

Kaibo was steps away from our condo and the perfect dinner for our first night getting settled in. The food, service, and ambiance were all wonderful! If you sit outside (which I recommend for the incredible view) wear plenty of insect repellent. We were grateful that the kind staff provided some for us while we waited for our food unprotected from the pesky mosquitos, because we really didn’t want to move indoors.

Macabuca Bar & Grill

An oceanfront tiki bar known for snorkeling, diving, and dining! Our food at Macabuca was delicious, especially the famous homemade ice cream sandwiches! Yum!! I loved the unique waterfront seating on the edge of a rocky coastline. Snorkelers and divers were passing by right below our table on the dock. I couldn’t wait to finish my food and dive in!

~Our Daily Itinerary~

Monday	– Drive from airport to North Side – Grocery store (Foster’s) – Rum Point snorkeling – Kaibo Beach Restaurant for dinner
Tuesday	– Starfish Point – The Blowholes – Good Mood Swings – Explore the East End – Tukka East for dinner
Wednesday	– Crystal Caves – Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park (skipped) – Bio-luminescent Bay kayaking
Thursday	– Scuba diving Devil’s Grotto – Explore George Town – Camana Bay – Lunch at Westin – Turtle night hatchling release
Friday	– Scuba diving Eden’s Rock – Stingray City & snorkeling excursion – Rum Point for dinner – Bio-luminescent Bay snorkeling
Saturday	– Spotts Beach snorkeling – Smith’s Barcadere snorkeling – Macabuca for lunch & snorkeling – Cemetery Beach snorkeling (skipped) – Governor’s Beach snorkeling & sunset (skipped)
Sunday	– Ristorante Pappagallo brunch (skipped) – Drive to airport

Our Vacation Recap in West Bay

For the full West Bay write-up and Grand Cayman vlog, bookmark this blog detailing last year’s trip for your next read. Below are a few West Bay highlights that we repeated this year while lodging in North Side. The drive from North Side to West Bay is just under an hour each way. Our daily itinerary was crafted to include several West Bay activities for the same day due to logistics.

⭐Seven Mile Beach is the most enchanting beach on the entire island for lounging and swimming! I have stated my humble opinion multiple times about how perfect the sand and water is. You get it. The entire beach is public, but finding parking could be challenging when you aren’t staying at an oceanfront resort on Seven Mile Beach. Ample parking is available at the public Governor’s Beach (click for Google Map address). From here you can snorkel the shallow reef at Governor’s or walk along Seven Mile Beach with your own chair or towel. The area near the Westin is our favorite part of Seven Mile Beach.

⭐Cayman Turtle Centre’s Night Hatchling Release tour is another repeat activity for us. It is amazing to watch tiny baby turtles scurry down to the ocean! I was yet again blessed with stray hatchlings climbing across my bare feet! If you are not visiting between June and September (breeding season), a day trip to the Centre is a great way to get your turtle fix. Visitors can snorkel in the turtle lagoon, visit the hatchery, and enjoy the pool/waterslide. Be advised that turtles are still consumed for meat in the Cayman Islands. If you don’t agree with this cultural practice, you might want to avoid the grounds of the Centre where the farm is located. The Turtle Centre and release locations are all located in West Bay.

⭐Camana Bay in George Town is a desirable location for great dining, catching a movie at the cinema, and high-end shopping (still duty-free, though😉). This vibrant town is best described as attractive, with its luscious outdoor scenery and polished stores. This is an excellent place to bring kids for outdoor play in the interactive fountains or bike riding along the harbor. Don’t miss the magnificent observation tower decorated with mosaic murals inspired by underwater scenery!

⭐West Bay Restaurant favorites were Tillie’s, Casanova by the Sea, Eats Cafe, Luca, and Sunshine Grill. The Grand Cayman is known as the culinary jewel of the Caribbean for a reason guys… there is an overwhelming amount of outstanding restaurants across the entire island!

⭐George Town shopping and dining is best when cruise ships are in port. More businesses open their doors for the influx of tourists. Check the Port Authority website for cruise ship schedules in Grand Cayman. We always find great deals on gemstone jewelry and souvenirs in this duty-free shopping mecca.

North Side vs. West Bay Summary

After staying in both the North Side and West Bay of Grand Cayman, my favorite (and Brooklyn’s) is West Bay. As much as I loved exploring the North Side and neighboring East End, I was missing Seven Mile Beach most days! I will always recommend first-time visitors of Grand Cayman to stay in West Bay, with very few exceptions.

The North End is undoubtedly a slice of heaven, but I did feel a little too secluded and far from the excitement at times. If I were seeking seclusion, Grand Cayman would not be my destination choice anyway. That is just my personal preference. The Caymanians are so friendly, the restaurants are PHENOMENAL, and island attractions are too captivating to hide away from. I want to be immersed in the vibrant culture!

Visiting by cruise ship is an affordable way to “sample” a Grand Cayman vacation before the splurge. The port is in George Town, offering many walkable shops, excursions, and top restaurants. You could also snorkel or dive a top site right beside the port at Eden Rock, take an easy taxi or bus ride to Seven Mile Beach, or book a Stingray City plus barrier reef snorkeling tour! Any of those options would give you a great preview of the perfect Grand Cayman vacation experience!

Regardless of your vacation preferences, Grand Cayman is truly a standout destination—easy to fall in love with and hard to leave.

-Amanda Kendler 💜

Disclaimer: My posts could contain a few affiliate links. This means I receive a small commission when you purchase from one of these links, at no extra cost to you! I only recommend what we have used to a satisfactory level and would use again—which is why I have a mix of affiliate and non-affiliate links. My interest is in the quality of my recommendations rather than the monetary gain. Thank you for the support! 💛