Local Tips Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Grand Cayman Villas & Condos

Mar 21 2022

Family Fun at Tukka

With a reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, Grand Cayman is home to many fabulous restaurants. One of our favorites is Tukka.

Run by Ron Hargrave, an award-winning chef with a larger-than-life personality, Tukka brings a taste of Australia served with a Caribbean twist. You’ll find everything on the menu from burgers to tacos, freshly caught seafood, steaks, and unique creations for the adventurous (kangaroo bangers, anyone?)

Serving lunch and dinner daily, plus breakfast and brunch on the weekends, Tukka should be on your shortlist of dining options.

With two locations in West Bay and East End, villa guests save 10% off the final bill by simply showing their Silver Thatch Guest Card provided to all villa guests at check-in.

Both locations offer seaside dining with spectacular water views. The East End location offers complimentary door-to-door shuttle service within a limited radius. A great option for large groups. Call ahead to request shuttle service availability.

Aside from the delectable food, Chef Ron provides a family-friendly experience with something for kids and adults in mind.

A Parrot Sanctuary?

Yep! Tukka includes a parrot sanctuary. It’s a unique experience for families. A popular activity for visiting families is to stop at Tukka for their bird feeding happy hour (after 5 p.m.) in the east end. Guests can book a seaside table and watch the birds feeding. The birds are also sometimes called pirate birds. This is an interactive and educational experience that your children won’t forget anytime soon.

What Else Does Tukka Provide?

Tukka also offers kid slides, sandpit, toys, zip lines, etc. There are shaded areas, filtered drinking water, and sweet lemon iced tea.

Tukka Is One Of Grand Cayman Island Villas And Condos Partners

Tukka provides our villa guests an exclusive 10 percent discount when showing an ST Guest Card.

Grand Cayman Island Is Great For Families

Grand Cayman Villas and Condos is one of the best Grand Cayman family resorts. SeaView boards are available for discounted rental, complimentary snorkel gear, and unforgettable views off the beach. See what other rentals we have available. To book your private paradise, check our availability online or call 866-358-8455 for more information.

You can keep an eye on our blog for updates regarding travel. Airlines have scheduled additional nonstop flights from major gateway cities to keep pace with rising demand. Summer dates are booking fast now that family travel is approved.

Sep 06 2021

5 Best Beaches on Cayman

As person in a chair enjoying one of Grand Cayman beaches. — Bring your nice shades and some sunscreen because we’re going to the beach!

Picture your dream tropical vacation. Does it include crystal clear water and soft, white sand? How about warm sunshine? Maybe your idyllic getaway involves plenty of peace. If you said yes to any of the above, you’ll love the beaches in Grand Cayman.

We run down our list of the island’s best beaches, plus nearby vacation villas with backyard beaches that will leave you speechless. Ready? Let’s go!!

Top Five Beaches in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman beaches are perfect for those looking to get away from it all. Plus, when you visit these heavenly spots, you can experience some of the best-undisturbed swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in the Caribbean!

⇒ Pro Tip: bring a pair of water shoes for foot protection! Don’t let jagged ironshore or a black urchin ruin your vacation when swimming in the ocean.

Seven Mile Beach / Cemetery Beach

Located along the island’s western peninsula, Seven Mile Beach is the heart of the island’s tourist economy. Cemetery Beach borders the northern residential area of Seven Mile Beach and tends to be more secluded making it perfect for couples or families looking for quiet enjoyment.

A small reef lies offshore and makes a good snorkeling spot for beginners. The water here is typically calm with small waves rolling onto the shore. Further offshore lies the Kittiwake Shipwreck, a sunken U.S. Navy ship from 2011. Guided tours of the shipwreck run daily for experienced SCUBA divers and snorkelers. It’s definitely a not-to-miss experience for dedicated divers.

View Cemetary Beach on Google Maps

Nearby Properties: Seascape Villa, Coconut Walk, The Residences at Seafire, Pomegranate Cottage

Rum Point Beach

This is an excellent option for some much-needed R&R by the sea. Far removed from the crowds at Seven Mile Beach, Rum Point Beach is more of a local’s beach spot. With two restaurants–The Rum Point Club for dinner and The Wreck Bar & Grill for casual lunchtime eats–watersport rentals, and seaside hammocks there’s something here for everyone in your group.

Best Beaches on Grand Cayman — Aerial view of Rum Point Beach.

The beach—and the entire north side of the island—is a snorkeling paradise. We suggest taking a short walk to the right of the pier and swimming out a bit in the calm waters for the best snorkeling.

View Rum Point Beach on Google Maps

Nearby Properties: Kai Kotch #17, Kai Vista, We’ll Sea, Paradis Sur Mer

Starfish Point

Traveling south from Rum Point down to the end of Water Cay Road is Starfish Point, another isolated beach home to–you guessed it–starfish! These delicate creatures hang out in the shallow water and are most visible early in the day, before noon.

When you visit, snap a few pictures and spend some time swimming and relaxing. Just don’t take the starfish out of the water, please!

View Starfish Point on Google Maps

Nearby Properties: Les Jalousies, Wee Kai, Pools of the Kai #3, Kai Conut

Smith’s Barcadere

Once a hidden gem, Smith’s Barcadere is a beautiful beach lagoon flanked by small ironshore cliffs that jut out into the ocean. It sits southwest of George Town, and is a popular spot for sunbathing, snorkeling, and sunset views.

There’s free parking, public restrooms, and picnic tables on-site. You’ll want to get there early as it has become quite the popular spot. Bring your camera for the views and pack some light snacks as there are no food vendors nearby.

View Smith’s Barcadere on Google Maps

Nearby Properties: Casa Luna #4, Villa Mora, Villa Amarone, South Bay Beach Club

Colliers Beach

This is a great beach if you want to get away from it all with someone special. Located in East End, Colliers Beach is one of the best-secluded beaches you can find here. It’s a popular spot with kiteboarders and windsurfers but otherwise very low traffic.

A dock juts out beyond the seagrass perfect for water entry. There’s some good snorkeling here with remarkable sea life off the beach. Public restrooms, free parking, and shaded picnic tables are available on-site.

View Colliers Beach on Google Maps

Nearby Properties: Lone Palm, Great Bluff Estates, Our Cayman Cottage, Castle Guesthouse

Book Your Stay with Grand Cayman Villas & Condos

Now that you know our picks for the best-hidden beaches on Grand Cayman, it’s time to book your stay! Our vacation homes have everything you need for a memorable Grand Cayman getaway. And, when you take advantage of our Silver Thatch Guest Services, you’ll get complimentary Scuba Pro snorkel gear to use during your stay.

To book your private paradise, check our availability online or call 866-358-8455 for more information.

Dec 05 2018

Jacques Scott Now Open!

Jacques Scott Wine & Spirits — Jacques Scott now open in East End

We are excited to announce the opening of Jacques Scott’s newest store conveniently located off Frank Sound Road at our Silver Thatch Welcome Center!

No more extra trips to the store for alcohol. You’ll be able to load up on the essentials after check in then head off to your villa to get your vacation started!

Known as the island’s premier purveyor of fine wines and spirits, Jacques Scott is sure to have everything you need from ice cold beer to champagne, cocktail mixers and bar snacks. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and closed on Sundays.

What’s that? You arrive on Sunday and worry you won’t be able to enjoy a glass of wine while watching your first island sunset?

No worries! With their online ordering system, villa guests arriving on Sundays can place their order in advance and have it shipped to the Frank Sound Road location. From there, our guest services team will hold your order until you arrive for check-in. Don’t worry, we have refrigerators on-site to keep your beer cold.

For online ordering visit: www.JacquesScottOnline.com

Don’t forget the extra check-out items available to you at check in. In addition to your complimentary snorkel gear, villa guests can choose to check out other convenience items such as bluetooth speakers and Apple TVs to stream your favorite tunes and shows. We also carry beverage coolers to keep your drinks chilled while you lounge poolside under the sun or in a hammock on the beach.

Just ask our guest services team about these items when you check in.

Oct 24 2018

Catch a Direct Flight to Cayman

A departure board in an airport. — Flying to Cayman has never been easier.

We’ve all been there at some point in our travels. You’re going on four hours stranded at the airport because your connecting flight keeps getting pushed back. It’s either that, or you’re hurrying to your gate because your first flight was delayed on the tarmac and now the whole start of your vacation is one big stressful nightmare–UGH!! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Forget layovers; direct flights are where it’s at. If you happen to live in one of the following cities, you’re closer than you think to our island paradise.

Denver residents you’re in luck! Nonstop service to Grand Cayman begins March 2019 on Cayman Airlines. This new gateway will reduce travel time for Mile High residents from 11 hours to just under 5 hours. That means less travel time, more beach time. Fun fact: Cayman Airlines offers all adult passengers a complimentary rum punch cocktail to make your travels that much sweeter–cheers!

Chicagoans, leave the Windy City behind for the tropical breezes of Grand Cayman. With direct service on United, American, and Cayman Airways you’re only 4 hours away from glorious Seven Mile Beach.

Detroit and Toronto you’re also only 4 hours away from barefoot sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Hop on a Delta, Air Canada or WestJet flight and don’t forget to pack the sun screen!

Red Sox Nation, celebrate your 2018 World Series win with a quick trip down-island. JetBlue can whisk you away to Cayman in just under 4 hours out of Logan. And, hey, if the Red Sox lose the World Series at least you’re in sunny Grand Cayman ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Down south, the living gets a little easier and the direct flights shorter. Charlotte and Atlanta clock in with direct flight times of just under 3 hours on American or Delta. Watch a movie or binge six episodes of The Office and you’re practically there! You can find flights for under $400 too.

Winter is right around the corner and with it shorter days and increasingly inclement weather.

But, how nice would it be to come home from your winter holiday relaxed and revitalized? You’ll be re-charged and ready to conquer the holidays with a fabulous sun-kissed tan to boot.

Mar 01 2018

Snorkeling Tips Before Hitting the Water

Grand Cayman is surrounded by crystal clear water making it one of the best snorkel and dive sites in the world. Visibility ranges from a breathtaking 60-100 feet deep and up to 135 feet horizontally depending upon the time of year. Many other snorkel and dive sites around the world are turbid from the silt runoff of interior lakes and rivers. Cayman doesn’t have any lakes or rivers. Rainwater runs off Cayman’s ironshore and into the Caribbean Sea as clear as the way it came down.

Grand Cayman’s waters are saltier than many other ocean bodies due to the high evaporation rate of tropical temperatures. Higher salinity means better buoyancy. The combination of high salinity and high visibility makes for super-easy snorkeling. Floating on the surface is all that’s required to enjoy the hundreds of exotic species of fish and plants living on the reefs below.

If you’re new to snorkeling and will be visiting Grand Cayman for the first time, here are a few suggestions:

Pack a Rash Guard
Water temperatures vary from the 70s in winter to the mid-80s in summer. An inexpensive long-sleeved rash guard or dive skin will keep you warm and protect your skin from the sun. Leisure Pro has a great selection of men’s and women’s dive apparel at affordable prices.

Fins, Fins, Fins
Whether it’s behind your villa or at any of the popular snorkel sites, if you’re swimming with water over your head you must wear fins. This is the ocean we’re talking about here and you need power to counter against the currents. Fins provide the propulsion to swim through undetected currents. Oh, and children aren’t the only ones who need to wear life vests if you’re a decent distance from shore.

Protect Your Feet
Pack a pair of water shoes. Fish and marine life don’t live where they can’t build homes. Great snorkel spots typically require some wading through soft turtle grass or rocks in the shallows. Tiny sea urchins may be hiding in ironshore fissures. Rubber soles will protect your feet from potential hazards and scrapes.

Bring Well-Fitting Gear
Fins are easy to fit but not all masks are created equal. Snorkeling is infinitely more enjoyable if you aren’t fighting leaks and making continual adjustments. I, my daughters, and sisters-in-law all own Cressi Big Eyes Evolution mask with clear skirt. It seems to fit narrow faces particularly well. Sorry guys, I do not have any special scoop on masks for you.

New masks come with a silicon film on the interior lens that you will need to dissolve by rubbing Crest toothpaste–not gel–with your fingers and rinsing thoroughly with tap water.

And hey, great news! If you can’t bring yourself to spend money on masks for your kids our Silver Thatch Welcome Center on Frank Sound Road provides Scuba Pro masks, fins, and snorkels as a complimentary service to our guests!

Don’t Snorkel Alone
Even if you’re snorkeling in five feet of water behind your villa the buddy system is always best. Always!

Let Others Know You’re in the Water
It’s also advisable to carry along an inflatable float with dive flag if you’re farther off shore. The dive flag will alert any small boat traveling inside the reef that snorkelers are in the area.

Protect the Coral at All Times
One kick of a fin can break off a piece of coral that took thousands of years to develop. First-time snorkelers and divers often don’t realize just how far their fins extend. You may not even feel the coral break off if you hit it but the damage will be done. Make sure you keep a safe distance between your fins and the terrain. Watch where you kick. And even more importantly, watch where you stand.

The information above isn’t exhaustive by any means. It’s simply a guide to get you started and enjoying this amazing ecosystem!