A paradise destination, Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands. While vacationing here, you can rest and relax on the beach, explore the island’s rich history, view breathtaking sea life, enjoy world-class dining and more.
At Turtle Nest Inn, we believe that an authentic Cayman experience offers the most – here’s what we recommend among activities.
Beautiful Beaches
Start your day by watching the Cayman sunrise on the beach in front of our inn or catch the view from one of our balconies.
There are many different beaches around the island that offer a variety of experiences. Some beaches, like ours, are quiet and off the beaten path and are perfect for relaxation, recharging, and snorkeling. Others, like Seven Mile Beach (SMB), are lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and condo complexes. Grand Cayman is only 22 miles long, and getting around is easiest with a rental car, making any beach on the island easily accessible. A rental car is included with every stay at the Inn, at no extra charge.
Great Eats
Good food is available in abundance throughout the island. Tukka Native Fusion is located on the east end of the island, offering traditional Caribbean fare and a few Australian dishes coupled with ocean views. During lobster season, you can choose your dinner fresh from the tank. Serving lunch and dinner, The Lighthouse offers seafood and Italian fare. Fresh salads, black angus steaks, and a raw seafood bar on Sundays make The Lighthouse a must for dining right over the water.
The Czech Inn Grill, located in Bodden Town, also serves fresh seafood, along with burgers, salads, chicken wings, and traditional pork belly and jerk dishes. The Brasserie, hidden in Cricket Square (George Town), is often called the island’s “secret pleasure” by locals. The restaurant runs its own deep-sea fishing boat and offers impeccably fresh seafood specials. There’s a specially priced three-course meal with a bottle of wine for two on Mondays.
Intimate Beach Weddings
The quiet location of the Inn makes our venue a great choice for an intimate, authentic island beach wedding. We’ve hosted many weddings on the beach, and yours could be next. We offer both small, private ceremonies for just the marrying couple and more elaborate events for up to 36 guests with floral arrangements, professional photography, and a sit-down reception right on the beach.
Few places are better to say, “I do” than Grand Cayman. Whether you get married on our beach or somewhere else, our one-bedroom apartments and spacious condos are perfect for an island honeymoon getaway.
Scuba Diving
Diving is key part of the Grand Cayman experience. Around the island, coral health is better than it’s been since 1999, and the crystal-clear waters let you see a wide range of turtles and other creatures, including black coral, giant purple sea fans, parrotfish, barracudas, and even the occasional hammerhead shark.
At Turtle Nest Inn, we partner with DNS Diving to offer our guests the option of adding a dive package to their reservation.
In addition to the usual dives, a popular site is the Kittiwake Wreck,. The relatively shallow depths and guided tour make this attraction a possibility for both beginners and advanced divers. If you’re booking accommodations and dive package at Turtle Nest Inn, don’t forget to add the Kittiwake one-tank dive to your package.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is another great way to see the coral reefs and sea life that surround Grand Cayman. You can snorkel at many locations around the island, and one of the best spots is right off the Inn’s beach. We’ll loan you snorkel gear which you can use anywhere around Grand Cayman, at no charge. You can also take out our sea kayak and our paddle boards, again at no charge.
The half-day boat trip with Captain Dexter is highly recommended. A living legend, the Captain will take you out on a 38-foot catamaran to Coral Gardens and on a guided tour of Stingray City Sandbar. This is a shallow series of outcrops where the stingrays are tame and can be held and hand fed.
Island History
The island has a rich history that can be fun to explore. The Cayman Island National Museum houses more than 9,00 historical artifacts including musical instruments, household utensils, prints, and more. The museum also hosts special exhibits celebrating historians and artists from the area, and it has a natural history collection including everything from ancient fossils to taxidermied contemporary creatures.
Less than a ten-minute drive from the Inn sits Pedro Castle. This was one of the first structures erected during colonial times and is a landmark for Cayman history in the 18th century. The Queen Elizabeth Botanic Garden will give you a glimpse of life in the early 20th century and features fruit trees, traditional crops, medicinal plants, many different island creatures including tropical birds and blue iguanas.
Nature Trails & Bird Watching
The nature of Grand Cayman is splendid, exotic, and abundant as a result of a commitment to nature and environmental conservation. To see the largest variety of birds and reptiles, try bird watching on the Mastic Trail. This national trust site is the largest plot of untouched native growth forest on the island. It boasts over 800 acres of foliage where you can see everything from colorful mushrooms to blue iguanas. Explore on your own or pay for a guided tour so you don’t miss anything.
The Cayman Crystal Caves feature both tropical forests and underground caves. The caves are located about a 15-minute drive from Turtle Nest Inn.
An Authentic Cayman Islands Experience
Grand Cayman Island has a wide variety of things to do and places to eat. At the Inn, our goal is to help travelers experience authentic Cayman culture, activities, and dishes. In a genuine island setting, off the beaten path, the Inn offers superb snorkeling, two fresh water pools, sandy beach and fully-furnished one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom/two-bath condos, each with full kitchen.
Unlike “tourist strip” lodging, the Inn allows you to access the heart and soul of the island. “To stay in Bodden Town is to get a real taste of the Cayman Islands and its people, to experience and enjoy a unique Caribbean culture and lifestyle at very close quarters.” (The Cayman Minister of Tourism at the March 27th 1999 opening of the Inn)
Our Grand Cayman hotel rooms and condos are off the beaten path, giving travelers an authentic experience. If you’re searching for rest and relaxation on the beach at very affordable rates, and a place to “do your own thing”, contact us to book a Grand Cayman vacation where you can truly unwind.