Grand Cayman Cruise Port

Where is Grand Cayman?

The three Cayman Islands are located in the middle of the Western Caribbean. Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands. Located just south of Cuba, the Cayman Islands are an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. The population is just over 60,000.

Cost for the day on Grand Cayman

Shuttle to Coral Beach – $10

Bus – $5

Snorkelling – $25

Drink – $16

Total – $56

Arriving by Cruise Ship in Grand Cayman

Cruise ships visiting Grand Cayman anchor just off the western coast near George Town, the island’s capital. The Grand Cayman Cruise Port welcomes nearly two million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular cruise stops in the western Caribbean.

Unlike many ports, Grand Cayman doesn’t have a cruise ship dock due to the shallow coastal waters that surround the island. Instead, ships anchor offshore and passengers are tendered to land using large shuttle boats.

There are three cruise terminals along Harbour Drive, all centrally located in George Town. On the day we visited, four ships were anchored, and the tender boats—open-air and holding up to 250 passengers—shuttled guests efficiently from ship to shore.

Tendering can take a bit more time than docking, so it’s a good idea to plan your shore day accordingly—especially if you’re heading out on an independent tour or excursion.

Grand Cayman Cruise Port Tips

No dock: Cruise ships anchor offshore. All passengers must use tenders to reach the island.
Three terminals: Arrivals are split between North, South, and Royal Watler terminals along Harbour Drive in George Town.
Tender boats: Open-air vessels holding up to 250 passengers. Boarding is smooth but can take time during busy hours.
Shore time: Allow extra time to get off and back on the ship—especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
Accessibility: Tenders have steps and may not be ideal for those with mobility issues. Check with your cruise line for assistance options.
Currency: US dollars are widely accepted. No need to exchange money.
Transportation: Taxis and shared vans are readily available at each terminal. No need to pre-book unless it’s a private tour.

First Impressions of George Town: A Walk Along Harbour Drive

Just a short walk from the tender dock, you’ll find yourself on Harbour Drive, the main road that loops around the island. This stretch of George Town is lined with duty-free shops, jewellery stores, restaurants, and shopping centres, making it a popular starting point for cruise passengers exploring on foot.

The British influence in Grand Cayman is instantly noticeable. One of the first sights is a uniformed traffic officer dressed in a crisp white shirt with epaulettes, black trousers, polished shoes, and a white peaked cap—a classic symbol of British Caribbean formality.

You’ll also spot another sign of the UK connection: vehicles drive on the left side of the road, and their steering wheels are on the right. This can be disorienting at first, especially for visitors from North America or mainland Europe.

Travel Tip: Be extra cautious when crossing the street. Many tourists instinctively look the wrong way before stepping out and risk walking into oncoming traffic. Cross only at marked pedestrian crossings, and always look both directions—twice.

Must-Visit Shops Near the Cruise Port in George Town, Grand Cayman

George Town is one of the best places in the Caribbean for duty-free shopping, and most of the top retailers are located just a few minutes’ walk from the cruise terminal along Harbour Drive. Whether you’re after fine jewellery, souvenirs, or a bottle of rum to take home, there’s something here for every kind of shopper.

Here are a few recommended stops you won’t want to miss:

1. Kirk Freeport

A Grand Cayman shopping icon, Kirk Freeport is known for its luxury goods and high-end brands including Rolex, Cartier, Lalique, and MAC cosmetics. Their stores span watches, fragrances, fine jewellery, and even a dedicated crystal and china boutique.

📍 Location: Multiple storefronts along Harbour Drive
🛍️ Best for: Luxury duty-free jewellery, cosmetics, and watches

2. Penha Duty-Free

Located right across from the tender dock, Penha is another popular stop for duty-free perfume, skincare, and designer fashion accessories. Their selection includes Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Chanel, and more—all tax and duty-free.

📍 Location: Directly opposite the cruise port
🛍️ Best for: Fragrances, skincare, designer sunglasses and bags

3. Tortuga Rum Company

A favourite for cruise travellers, Tortuga is famous for its rum cakes, but you’ll also find locally made rums, sauces, and Cayman souvenirs. They offer free samples of their cakes (yes, they travel well!) and ship internationally.

📍 Location: A short walk from the terminal
🛍️ Best for: Rum cakes, locally made spirits, and gifts to take home

4. The Craft Market

For those looking for handmade, local items, head to the George Town Craft Market. It’s a great place to pick up wood carvings, handwoven baskets, jewellery, and art made by Caymanian artisans.

📍 Location: Boilers Road, about a 10-minute walk from the dock
🛍️ Best for: Authentic souvenirs and supporting local artists

5. Blue Iguana Souvenir Outlet

If you’re short on time and want a one-stop souvenir shop near the dock, Blue Iguana offers affordable gifts, T-shirts, magnets, and postcards. It’s perfect for last-minute shoppers who don’t want to stray far from the terminal.

📍 Location: Just off Harbour Drive
🛍️ Best for: Cruise-friendly souvenirs under $20

Plan Your Grand Cayman Visit

Ready to explore more of Grand Cayman? Whether you're arriving by cruise ship or planning a longer stay, find top-rated hotels, day trips, and beach escapes with our trusted partners:

Book early—Grand Cayman is one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean and rooms fill quickly during high season!

Getting to Seven Mile Beach from the Cruise Port

Just outside the George Town tender terminal, you’ll find a line of transportation vendors holding signs for last-minute tours and beach transfers. For cruisers looking to spend a day by the sea, the most popular option is a shared van ride to Seven Mile Beach.

The vans typically seat 10 passengers, and the cost is $5 USD per person to Coral Beach, which marks the start of Seven Mile Beach. For just $1 more, drivers will continue on to the Public Beach, located about halfway down the stretch.

Coral Beach Entry Info

Upon arrival at Coral Beach, you’ll go through a bag check—outside food and beverages are not allowed. The beach club expects visitors to purchase food and drinks on-site, but in exchange, you’ll have access to restrooms, change rooms, and showers.

If you want a place to sit, beach loungers are available for $12 USD per person. While the facilities are modern and clean, we chose instead to walk along the beach toward Public Beach, enjoying the scenic shoreline and cooler breeze.

Exploring Seven Mile Beach and Local Life by Bus

Seven Mile Beach is one of the most stunning shorelines in the Caribbean—and often listed among the top ten beaches in the world. Despite its name, the beach actually stretches just 5.5 miles, forming a perfect crescent of powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.

We walked nearly an hour along the beach’s hard-packed sand, admiring the vivid water and passing a mix of private homes, upscale condos, and luxury beachfront resorts. It’s a peaceful, postcard-worthy stretch that offers plenty of space to walk, swim, or just relax.

Taking the Bus Back from Seven Mile Beach

As the midday sun intensified, we decided to cut inland through the Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort to the main ring road. One of the resort staff kindly pointed us to a nearby public bus stop—a much better deal than the $25 USD taxi fare back to downtown George Town.

In Grand Cayman, buses are actually air-conditioned family vans with “Public Bus” written on the front. They have two front doors, a side sliding door, and typically three rows of seats. The cost? Just 2 Cayman dollars per person (about $2.50 USD or $3.75 CAD).

The bus ride back was quick, comfortable, and friendly. The locals on board were chatty and welcoming, and we had a great time learning about the island from residents going about their daily routines. Everyone helped open and close the sliding door as passengers came and went, giving the ride a charming, communal feel.

Island Bus Routes & What We Missed

If you have more time in port, you can take public buses around the entire island. The network is simple:

All buses funnel into the George Town depot
From there, you can take one route around the eastern side of the island, where the roads are narrow, winding, and lined with traditional island homes
Then transfer to a second route that loops around the western side, which is more modern and developed

The eastern side of the island is windier and more rugged, with a high bluff offering panoramic ocean views—a different experience entirely from the polished resorts of Seven Mile Beach.

Sadly, with only six hours in port, we didn’t have enough time to venture farther afield. But for future visits, a full loop of the island by bus is high on our list.

Beach Tips for Cruise Visitors in Grand Cayman

Transport: Shared vans to Coral Beach or Public Beach cost $5–6 USD per person and run continuously from the port area.
Coral Beach: No outside food or drinks allowed. Facilities include restrooms, showers, change rooms, and paid loungers ($12).
Public Beach: Offers more space and free public access. Vendors rent umbrellas and loungers, and food trucks are often nearby.
What to bring: Sunscreen, towel, water shoes, small bills (USD accepted), and snorkel gear if desired.
Time management: Be mindful of tender return times. It can take 15–30 minutes to get back to your ship during peak hours.

Snorkelling at Eden Rock – Just a Short Walk from Port

If you’re looking to snorkel right off shore during your Grand Cayman cruise stop, Eden Rock is one of the most accessible and popular snorkelling spots on the island—and it’s just a short walk from the terminal.

After our ride back from Seven Mile Beach, our driver pointed us in the direction of Paradise Restaurant and Marine Park, located just a 10 to 15-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal along the island’s ring road. Just past the restaurant, you’ll spot an inflatable water park floating offshore—an easy landmark to find.

Equipment Rentals & Access

There’s a snorkel gear stand attached to the restaurant where you can rent everything you need. Prices are reasonable:

Inflatable life vest (required for use): $10
Full snorkel package (vest, mask, snorkel, fins): $25
Fish food: $5 (optional, but fun!)

The reef here is known for vibrant marine life and easy access directly from shore, making it ideal for casual snorkellers and beginners. You’ll find change rooms, lockers, and washrooms on-site, and they accept credit cards, which is a nice bonus for cruise visitors not carrying cash.

Tip: Bring a towel, water shoes, and reef-safe sunscreen for a smoother experience. It’s a great way to fit in a little underwater adventure without a formal excursion.

Snorkelling, Shopping, and Reflections on Our Day in Grand Cayman

The moment you descend the stairs into the warm Caribbean waters at Eden Rock, you’re met by a spectacular sight—massive tarpons, five to eight feet long, with gleaming silver scales and dark, otherworldly eyes. They glide gracefully around you, seemingly unbothered by snorkellers. Between them, schools of smaller, colourful reef fish dart and swirl, adding flashes of colour in the 6–8 feet deep shallows just off shore.

Snorkelling at Devil’s Canyon

I swam farther out toward a moored dive boat above Devil’s Canyon, a well-known underwater feature near Eden Rock. The visibility was crystal clear—I could see the seafloor 30 feet below, where large rounded coral formations created an underwater canyon. Several scuba divers explored beneath me, floating through the canyon’s dramatic contours. The diving area is large and roped off for safety.

Shops, Wi-Fi, and Cruise Terminal Amenities

Back across Harbour Drive, the cruise terminal area is lined with tourist shops, a local craft market under a large tent, and a mall directly across from the tender dock. The mall offers free Wi-Fi, and it showed—hundreds of people sat on benches scrolling through their phones and tablets while they cooled off in the air conditioning.

Most items in shops are priced in U.S. dollars, and prices are similar to what you’d find in other island cruise ports. However, food and drinks in Grand Cayman are noticeably expensive—especially once you factor in the exchange rate and service charges.

For example, a Piña Colada priced at $9.95 Cayman dollars (about $12.50 USD) becomes $16.50 USD ($22.50 CAD) once a 15% tax and 18% automatic tip are added. A basic lunch for two with drinks can easily top $100 USD. For budget-conscious travellers, it’s wise to eat on the ship before or after your outing.

Final Thoughts

Despite the high prices, we really enjoyed our afternoon in Grand Cayman. The walk along Seven Mile Beach was beautiful, and the public bus ride back into George Town gave us a taste of local life. The snorkelling was memorable, and the people we met were friendly and welcoming.

We give our visit one thumb up, mostly due to time constraints—six hours in port just wasn’t long enough. We would love to return for a longer stay and explore more of the island’s quieter east side and rugged coastline.

Plan Your Grand Cayman Visit

Ready to explore more of Grand Cayman? Whether you're arriving by cruise ship or planning a longer stay, find top-rated hotels, day trips, and beach escapes with our trusted partners:

Book early—Grand Cayman is one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean and rooms fill quickly during high season!