21 Best Sights in Cayman Islands

This private, forested island can be reached by rowboat, kayak, or an ambitious 200-yard swim. Anyone is welcome to come across and enjoy the deserted beaches and excellent snorkeling as well as fly-fishing. Nudity is forbidden in the Cayman Islands for being "idle and disorderly," though that doesn't always stop skinny-dippers (who may not realize they can be seen quite easily from shore). Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

Stretching over a mile on the island's easternmost point, this secluded beach is great for wading, shell collecting, and snorkeling. On a clear day you can see 7 miles to Cayman Brac. The beach serves as a green and loggerhead turtle nesting site in spring, and a mosaic of coral gardens blooms just offshore. It's magical, especially at moonrise, when it earns its nickname, Lovers' Beach. There's a palapa for shade but no facilities. The current can be strong, so watch the kids carefully. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunset; walking.

Famous for its postcard-perfect views, Barefoot Beach is one of East End's best beaches, offering soft white sand, crystal-clear shallow waters, and a shady cabana. It's a favorite spot for locals and tourists, who come on Sunday to watch the fishing boats out at sea. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; solitude; walking.

Secluded, spectacular beaches are accessed via a dirt road just past Papagallo restaurant. There are no facilities (that's the point!), but some palms offer shade. Unfortunately, the shallow water and rocky bottom discourage swimming, and it can be cluttered at times with seaweed and debris. You may also encounter wild chickens (their forebears released by owners fleeing Hurricane Ivan in 2004). Kitesurfers occasionally come here for the gusts; it's also popular for horseback riding. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking; windsurfing.

Developed by the local chapter of the National Trust, the site of the first, albeit temporary, Cayman Islands settlement, in the 1660s, is lined with traditional cottages. Bricks are dedicated to old-time residents and longtime repeat guests. There are picnic tables, a playground, and a dock. The beach is small but has plenty of shade trees, good snorkeling, and calm water. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Just north of the airport, the rocky stretch is somewhat rough, but the snorkeling is sublime; you'll recognize the area when you see the 1860 windlass (winch) of SS Kersearge in the ironshore. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling.

A narrow, sandy driveway takes you past the small cemetery to a perfect strand just past the northern end of Seven Mile Beach. The dock here is primarily used by dive boats during winter storms. You can walk in either direction. The sand is talcum-soft and clean, the water calm and clear (though local surfers take advantage of occasional small reef breaks), and the bottom somewhat rocky and dotted with sea urchins, so wear reef shoes if wading. You'll definitely find fewer crowds. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; surfing.

Just drive along and look for any sandy beach, park your car, and enjoy a stroll. The vanilla-hue stretch at Colliers Bay, by the Wyndham Reef and Morritt's resorts (which offer water sports), is a good, clean one with superior snorkeling. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunrise; walking.

Located in front of the governor's home, this sandy strip is in the middle of the action, offering incredible snorkeling, strolling, and sunset-watching. With east access and parking out front, you'll find families indulging in beachside picnic or couples sunbathing under the pretty sea-grape trees. There's no food here, but a supermarket and restaurants are just across the road. Amenities: parking (no fee), toilets, water sports. Best for: snorkeling, sunset, swimming, walking.

The North Side features plenty of hidden coves and pristine stretches of perfect sand, where you'll be disturbed only by seabirds dive-bombing for lunch and the occasional lone fishers casting nets for sprats, then dumping them into buckets. Over the Edge restaurant is less than 1 mile west. Otherwise, it's fairly undeveloped for miles, save for the occasional private home. Snorkeling is spectacular when waters are calm. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; walking.

The beach by Cayman Breakers is fairly wide for this eastern stretch of the island. Start clambering east underneath the imposing bluff, past the end of the paved road, to strikingly beautiful deserted stretches accessible only on foot. The water here starts churning like a washing machine and becomes progressively rockier, littered with driftwood. Locals search for whelks here. Steps by the Breakers lead to shore dive sites. Flocks of seabirds darken the sun for seconds at a time, while blowholes spout as if answering migrant humpback whales. Don't go beyond the gargantuan rock called First Cay unless you're a serious rock climber—the sudden swells can be hazardous. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking.

Roughly 2 miles east of the Brac Reef and Carib Sands/Brac Caribbean resorts, just past the wetlands (the unsightly gate is visible from the road; if you hit the Bat Cave you've passed it), lie a series of strands culminating in this beach, relatively deserted despite its name. The surf is calm and the crystalline water fairly protected for swimming. There are picnic tables and showers in uncertain condition. Snorkeling is quite good. Amenities: showers. Best for: snorkeling.

This North Sound beach has hammocks slung in towering casuarina trees, picnic tables, casual and "fancier" dining options, a well-stocked shop for seaworthy sundries, and Red Sail Sports, which offers various water sports and boats to explore Stingray City. The barrier reef ensures safe snorkeling and soft sand. The bottom remains shallow for a long way from shore, but it's littered with small coral heads, so be careful. The Wreck is an ultracasual hangout serving outstanding pub grub from fish-and-chips to wings, as well as lethal mudslide cocktails. Just around the bend, another quintessential beach hangout, Kaibo, rocks during the day. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling.

The central section of the south coast features several lengthy ribbons of soft ecru sand, only occasionally maintained, with little shade aside from the odd coconut palm, no facilities, and blissful privacy (aside from some villas). Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming, walking.

A busy, white-sand beach with gleaming turquoise waters, this popular stretch of sand just off West Bay Road is peppered with towering, shady palms that throw a welcome shade on the hot sand. Popular with families due to the play park and amenities nearby, you can walk from major hotels or hop in a taxi for a day at this picture-perfect beach. On weekends this vast beach is packed with families hanging out listening to music and having picnics, indulging in water activities, or having a beachside picnic. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling, swimming.

South of the Grand Old House, this tiny but popular protected swimming and snorkeling spot makes a wonderful beach wedding location. The bottom drops off quickly enough to allow you to swim and play close to shore. Although slightly rocky (its pitted limestone boulders resemble Moore sculptures), there's little debris and few coral heads, plenty of shade, picnic tables, restrooms, and parking. Surfers will find decent swells just to the south. Note the curious obelisk cenotaph "in memory of James Samuel Webster and his wife Arabella Antoinette (née Eden)," with assorted quotes from Confucius to John Donne. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

On weekends families often barbecue at this idyllic spot caught between ironshore cliffs and a barrier reef (with fine snorkeling). You might even see some wild turtles swimming here. Follow South Church Street through the South Sound past Red Bay; at a little cemetery there's a turnoff to the beach with a car park. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunrise; walking.

A remote beach just off the northern coast of Cayman, Starfish Point attracts beautiful starfish to its turtle-grass-lined shores and emerald green, warm waters. Watch the sunset, wade in the water, and explore the sandy shoreline. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

Sitting pretty along the South Sound, Surfer's Beach lures surfers and skimboarders to its occasional herculean waves and soft shoreline. Perfectly positioned for swell when there's a cold front, it's usually deserted and quiet, adding to its undeniable allure. This pristine coastline is ideal for watching adrenaline junkies ride the waves, sunbathing in solitude, and, at the end of the day, watching the sun dipping into the turquoise-streaked sea. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude, sunset, surfing.

If you want an isolated, unspoiled beach, bear left at Rum Point at North Side, and follow the road to the end. When you pass a porte cochere for an abandoned condo development, you'll see the soft, sandy beach. Wade out knee deep and look for the large, flame-hued starfish. (Don't touch—just look.) Locals also call it Starfish or Ivory Point. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming.

Famous for its picturesque palm trees and aquamarine waters, West Bay's Public Beach is a popular tourist stop. With parking and picnic areas, it's a great choice for a day of beach-bumming. Zip around on a Jet Ski, or take some snaps just chilling on your lounger. This stunning crescent-shape beach offers incredible snorkeling and sunset views. Take a stroll out to the water's edge, where you can gaze at the brightly colored coral, or strap on your snorkel and expect to see blue tangs and other species of fish. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.