Destination: Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands has long been associated with adult only holidays, tax breaks and celebrity clientele, and this is still a pretty accurate description, but it’s also a fabulous destination for family holidays, and it’s a lot more child friendly than you might think.

The Caymans consist of three islands, namely Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and their fascinating history dates back to their discovery by Columbus when he was pushed off course by a storm. Later tales suggest that the islands are the site of buried treasure from legendary pirates such as Blackbeard, and local folklore loves to emphasize these stories.

These stunning islands are rich with culture and wildlife. Families can choose to spend their days walking the many trails or diving beneath the waves before relaxing at one of the fabulous local restaurants. Families here are very well catered for, and because the islands are known for their rich and famous clientele, the majority of the hotels are well appointed and luxuriously decorated. Most of them also provide free childcare so that parents can take a little time off when they need to.

Pirates Week is a festival with real local flair and it’s held annually in November. This fantastic community event demonstrates the Caymanian’s fun loving approach to life with parades of people dressed as pirates, music until late in the night and dancing all day long.

The Cayman Islands enjoy fantastic weather all year round, but the driest months are from November until April. During this time visitors will experience plenty of sun and blue skies, and the heat will be much less humid than the rest of the year. It’s an ideal time to take children.

Things to do in the Cayman Islands with Children

For a fabulous and fun day out for all the family, Blue Water Beach on Grand Cayman offers some seriously great parasailing activities for the whole group. This is a professional group, with top class boats that will get you around 400 feet in the air as they zip through the water below you. And there’s no age limit either!

There’s nothing quite like a gallop across a sandy beach, and in the Caymans there are around seven riding companies, like Spirit of the West, which will happily provide your family with an experience you’ll never forget. Choose from dawn treks to moonlight beach rides. The age limit varies by company and by trek type (on the champagne trek for example), and if you’re planning on crossing water, they do stipulate that riders must be able to swim. More details...

Nature Cayman is the island ecological society, and are responsible for ensuring the welfare of all the islands natural habitats. They’ll happily take you on a free guided trek around some of their well used trails, and introduce you to the local wildlife. This is a great day out for the whole family, with a chance to take a leisurely, yet informative foray off the beaten path.

For children with an appetite for adventure, Cayman Safari Adventures is a great place to head. They offer jeep tours around the island, and as well as the chance to meet the locals and observe the wildlife, you can indulge in some food tasting sessions, and try your hand at some local crafts. There’s no age limit here, but participants must be able to walk and climb stairs unaided. More details...

Recommended family friendly hotels and family holidays in the Cayman Islands

Marriott's Grand Cayman Resort is located centrally on the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. A smoke-free resort with four restaurants, watersports centre, and a full service spa. You can enjoy snorkelling at the reef 50 yards off the beach, or relax in the Spa, after dropping children off at Camp ECO. (ages 5 through 12) or join them on one of the family treasure hunts. More details...

British airways holidays also offer holidays to the Cayman Islands.

Recommended Eco-friendly accommodation in the Cayman Islands

If you wish to get away from the crowds, then Pirates Point Resort on Little Cayman is a place you can truly relax. Once you have visited this beautiful resort, and tasted the fabulous cuisine and wines, you could be coming back year after year. In Little Cayman, scuba divers enjoy some of the best diving in the Caribbean, and there are two-tank boat dives daily, featuring tours of the Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Reef. Children under 12 stay free of charge in room. The resort cannot accommodate children under 5. More details...