Grand Cayman’s best beaches, from the coconut oil-covered crowds on Seven Mile Beach to the pristine oasis of Smith’s Cove.

Seven Mile Beach

Sugar-white sands and a sapphire-striated sea makeGrand Cayman’s marquee strip a no-brainer. The scene revolves around a constant parade of characters: badge-wearing conventioneers escaped from the air-conditioned confines of the resorts that front the sand, cruise-ship day-trippers glistening with tanning oil, and Euro tourists in tiny trunks and ginormous jewelry. Reggae-flavored syncopations fill the air; there’s a beach bar every few paces (we’re partial to Calico Jack’s); and the coconutty sweetness of suntan oil perfumes every passing breeze. Seven Mile is an obvious choice — and a fine one.

Rum Point

Crowds flock here like cling-cling birds to an unattended plate. With a small beach dominated by a bar and restaurant, it’s a magnet for cruise-ship passengers on excursions to nearby Stingray City. Get here in the morning, however, and you’ll experience the Point’s lesser-known side: blissfully serene, vacant vanilla sands stippled with casuarina needles that resemble chocolate sprinkles and neat rows of sorbet-colored picnic tables at the water’s edge. By midday, Top 40 tunes will blare from the speakers and lines for the signature Mudslide will start to form. But for now, the beach — and the booze — is all yours.

Smith’s Cove

At this pristine oasis just minutes from the Seven Mile strip, yet light-years apart, chickens peck beneath the almond and sea-grape trees that shelter the shore from along the road while, on the ironshore that embraces the heart-shaped cove, boys somersault fearlessly into the clear waters below. This is where employees from Seven Mile Beach hotels take refuge on their precious days off. So if you go, please don’t tell them we sent you.

Source: caribbeantravelmag.com