Ahh, the Cayman Islands. Three beautiful, isolated land masses full of world-wise adventurers with back-packs, pseudo-spiritual yogis with yoga mats, and cantankerous off-shore bankers with more money now than I’ll make in a lifetime. Alas, you’ll thankfully find more of the former participating in what we might call the theme of this piece: surfing.
- Cayman Islandsjocountry2009 / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
The Caribbean is an ideal spot for surfers of all experience levels – beginners and experts alike, depending on the time of year they visit, will find a great surf spot on these Nirvana-inducing islands.
Top Cayman Island Surfing Spots
While the Cayman Islands are not known for the biggest swells, they offer a nice consistency during fall months. And with easy access to the sea from numerous beaches, it’s an ideal spot for beginners – but those of middling experience won’t be bored, either, if you’re visiting during hurricane season.
- Top Cayman Island Surfing SpotsJohn Carleton / Travel Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands, but we recommend mainstaying it at the biggest of the three, Grand Cayman. If for nothing else than having more to do inland just in case the waves aren’t hitting. I recommend hitting up either Mariner’s Cove or Seven Mile Beach.
Seven Mile Beach
Picture it: white sand stretching as far as the eye can see. An ocean of every different luminescent shade of blue in the visible spectrum. Palm trees undulating in the wind above your head. Yes, you may have just found yourself in heaven. That or Seven Mile Beach – they’re pretty much the same thing.
Located on the western shore of Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach is the spot you’re most likely to find yourself when visiting Grand Cayman, given the activities available in the area and its proximity to places like Georgetown. This stretch of beach also has some of the best dive spots the Cayman Islands has to offer, so even if the surfing is too mild for your taste, this is a great place to visit.
Best Times to Surf the Cayman Islands
While any time of year will grace the beginner’s board with decent surfing weather (average swells of 3-5’), the best times for surfing, if you’re looking for some bigger swells, are December through March when the mild to moderate nor’westers roll through, and late summer and early fall during hurricane season. Tropical storms and hurricanes are a surfer’s friend in the Cayman Islands – so long as they’re not too strong, anyway.
The beauty of the Cayman Islands is such that even during flat spells you will not want for things to do – or not do, as may be the case. Whether you’re a beach bum, a bar hopper or a food connoisseur, you’ll find something to your liking on Grand Cayman.
And while you can’t expect to do many aerials or find swells like those in Hawaii or Australia, The Cayman Islands are a perfect location to visit any time of year. And unlike much of the Caribbean, it’s a British overseas territory, which means you don’t have to know Spanish to interact with the friendly locals.
So buff that board and either hop on that jet or start swimming – the Cayman Islands await!
Jeff Hirz is a writer, freelancer and traveler. He contributed this article on behalf of www.caymanyp.com to better connect them with the Caribbean-loving community.
Have only ever surfed off the east coast of the UK, it’s a bit of dream of mine to make into the water somewhere like this, if only to avoid having to wear a super thick wetsuit!