If you’ve ever spent time in Australia, you will know that unmistakable early morning soundtrack – the call of the kookaburra. It’s one of those sounds that stays with you. I didn’t know what to expect in the Caribbean, but in the Cayman Islands, it’s the crowing of roosters that you hear in the early hours – a completely different sound but just as memorable.
At first glance, Cayman has everything you would expect – aquamarine water, year-round sunshine and that easy, switch-off, holiday pace. But there’s far more to it. It’s a foodie’s paradise, full of character and storytelling, with a culture that feels both Caribbean and surprisingly familiar – I even caught hints of Irish in their accent. The Cayman Islands consist of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and there’s a real sense of depth beyond the transparent aquamarine beaches, from history to everyday island life.
Getting there from Dublin takes a bit of planning – usually via Miami, Jamaica, Nassau or Heathrow but that slight effort is part of the appeal. Places like this tend to be just out of easy reach and that’s what makes them feel so exclusive. You arrive and there’s a real sense of stepping somewhere else entirely – a kind of quiet, atmospheric magic that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
History
The Cayman Islands were first sighted by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century, who called them Las Tortugas because of the vast number of sea turtles in the surrounding waters. The name shifted over time – from Lagartos to Caymanas, meaning crocodile, which is where Cayman comes from today.
There’s no such thing as a typical Caymanian – the culture is incredibly diverse, shaped by British, Jamaican and global influences, with over 100 nationalities now calling the islands home. It’s a self-governing British Territory, English-speaking, with its own currency and they drive on the left-hand side of the road – an easy adjustment if you’re coming from Ireland.
What you notice just as much as the history is the hypnotic colours of the islands – the silver thatch palms, bright Caribbean hues everywhere and that impossibly clear water where the whitest sand ripples beneath your toes so softly, that it almost doesn’t feel real.
Food
The food in Cayman is on another level and not just in quality, but in how local and fresh it is. It’s not unusual for restaurant owners to sit down, share stories and guide you through the menu. I wouldn’t usually be that adventurous with food, but here I was, drawn in by the colour, freshness and variety. Portions are generous, too, so sharing is the best way to experience more of it.
Seafood is at the heart of it – from grilled fish and lobster to conch in everything from fritters to ceviche (the coconut ceviche was a standout). But there’s a strong Caribbean theme running through it all – jerk chicken, rice and peas, plantain and rich stews. Even the drinks and sides feel local and distinctive – like their traditional beverage – swanky – a refreshing mix of lime, sugar and citrus, and also cassava, which is used in breads and sides.
What really stays with you is the range of experiences – from lively, Caribbean music-filled spots like ‘Peppers’ to laid-back beachside dining where your feet are practically in the sea, (Bonny Moons), to more intimate farm-to-table evenings (Cayman Cabana) where you end up chatting with strangers over beautifully fresh, local dishes, where the restaurant owners like Luigi share culinary tales keeping his guests entertained.
The cafes and bakehouses offer a range of in-house cooked dining experiences too like, like Fresca, and I have never seen cakes as big and as delicious and baked in-house at local café, Scratch. I constantly had food taken with me in doggy bags to snack on later; you just couldn’t leave it behind.
Where to stay
Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman is just 15 minutes from the airport, depending on the time of day. Like many countries, they have traffic delays at certain times and as it is an island, there’s only one main road in and out. Hotel Indigo opened in 2024 and is the sister hotel to the five-star Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa and you can reach it by a short walk or buggy ride from Hotel Indigo. If staying in Hotel Indigo, you can avail of the spa facilities and the restaurants of the Kimpton Seafire Resort. Hotel Indigo is perfect for families (they have bunkbed family rooms) and the hotel is also suitable for couples and solo travellers.
This isn’t a one-restaurant resort where everything blends together; there’s a real sense of choice and local cuisine across the dining areas. The variety of dining is a real mix of table service dining, café grab & go style options (perfect for bringing to the beach), poolside service and it also has the only rooftop bar on the island called ‘PomPom’, which is popular for watching those spectacular Caribbean sunsets.
What makes this hotel special is it sits right on Seven Mile Beach and with an ocean view room, it completely draws the ocean into your room. Floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and that uninterrupted view of the aquamarine sea mean you wake up and go to sleep by the sea – without getting wet.
It is a destination hotel, but do go and sit at the beach and eat in the local restaurants – it’s the locals you meet there that also make this Caribbean location memorable.
Things to do
George Town is at the heart of Grand Cayman. It has a buzzy atmosphere with ample restaurants to choose from by the ocean. The Lobster Pot is an authentic spot for lunch, full of seafood dishes and colourful, Caribbean salads washed down with a glass of ‘swanky’. Many cruise shops stop in George Town for a port day, so it is busier when the ships are in.
A must-visit is the National Gallery, where you will be captivated by the colourful and interesting art on display. The story behind each artist is so impressive and it really left a mark on me. I purchased a cup with a print by British Caymanian artist Charles Long for my tea at home, so I can remember the gorgeous colours. The Gallery has the only art library on Cayman and admission for visitors is free. George Town also has a national museum where you can watch a short film about the Cayman Islands, and you can also browse and read all about their heritage.
Another recommended visit is on the South side of the Island. Pedro St. James is one of Cayman’s most important historic landmarks, the birthplace of its first elected parliament in 1831 and a key site in the abolition of slavery. For Caymanians, it represents identity and growth; for visitors, it offers a powerful glimpse into the islands’ history, all set against a striking oceanfront backdrop that makes it well worth the visit.
The Crystal Caves is another great place to visit. You can opt for a guided walk through cool, dramatic limestone caverns filled with glistening stalactites and stalagmites that feel worlds away from the beach. Tip: go early as the caves get very hot and also watch out for the bats!
A day trip to Cayman Brac is a must as you get a real sense of the idyllic life for locals. The pace is much slower than in Grand Cayman. If you want to stay overnight or longer, an option is the tranquil property, ‘Le Soleil d’Or’, a boutique resort that has its own 20-acre farm and where they also serve their produce in the resort’s restaurant. Cayman Brac is more rugged and hiking is popular, as is scuba diving. This is more for the nature and adventure lovers. You can drive or cycle around the island, stopping at coves and stunning viewpoints.
Another popular excursion is to Stingray City; it is a renowned, memorable Cayman experience. You can stand in clear, shallow water as wild stingrays glide around you. Be mindful that excursions can be cancelled due to the weather.
Cayman has its own rhythm and most of the locals I met had this way of making you feel like you belonged there, with a familiar saying, “I got you.” It’s layered, welcoming and full of small, memorable details that reveal themselves the longer you stay. And like that early morning rooster call, it becomes something you carry with you, long after you’ve left the islands behind.
Cayman Islands, “I get you.”
Published in the Irish Daily Mail on 2/5/2026
Travel Facts
Flights from London to Grand Cayman via Nassau with British Airways – From €770 return
Aerotel at Heathrow Airport – From €239 per night
Hotel Indigo Standard Ocean view room from – From €485 per night
Daily flights with Cayman Airways to Cayman Brac – From €70 one way
Yvonne was a guest of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
