# Travel >> Destinations >> Caribbean

Family Vacations to the Cayman Islands

Grand and Little Cayman are a pair of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. Although you may think of them as the perfect destination for a romantic getaway, they're also great spots for family vacations. There's plenty for kids to do on the islands, from snorkeling to learning about indigenous wildlife. Parents can take a break while kids swim with turtles and collect sea shells.

Beach Activities
- As islands in the Caribbean, the Caymans boast some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Families can bring picnic lunches and spend entire days, or even weeks, lounging about on the Caymans' shores. Kids can build epic sandcastles or bury Dad up to his neck. The water is warm, so the whole family can enjoy swimming for hours on end. Because the ocean is so clear at these islands, you and your kids can watch as schools of colorful tropical fish swim around your feet. Little kids will get a kick out of snorkeling for the first time. They'll be able to see marine wildlife, brightly-colored seashells and coral formations clearly. Bigger kids might be interested in learning scuba diving. You may be able to arrange for lessons at your hotel.
Wildlife Activities
- Several hotels and businesses on the Cayman Islands cater to families with special wildlife and nature tours and classes. Your kids can swim with friendly stingrays or dolphins, watch turtles being hatched and raised at a nursery and even ride down in a submarine for an up-close look at the creatures that live under the sea. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel runs a special Ambassadors of the Environment program designed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of famous environmentalist Jacques Cousteau. Your kids can take classes in undersea life, cooking or drawing. Older kids and families can even take classes in undersea photography.
  
  The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
  
  P.O. Box 32348 KY 1-1209
  
  Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
  
  Cayman Islands
  
  345-943-9000
  
  ritzcarlton.com
Pirate Adventures
- If your family gets tired of the beach and ocean activities, consider learning a bit about the cultural history of the Cayman Islands. The Caymans used to be a hot spot for pirates to retire. The Pirate Caves, located in Bodden Town beneath a lush tropical garden, are where these pirates used to hide their treasures. Your family can visit these caves now and stroll through an extensive underground labyrinth. Your kids can search for treasure, then visit a small zoo and check out some stingrays and iguanas. In the evening, the whole family can take a cruise on a real pirate ship. On-board activities include a pirate trial, sword fighting and deck scrubbing. The cruise includes free fruit punch for everybody.
  
  Pirates of the Caymans
  
  P.O. Box 31453 SMB
  
  Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands BWI
  
  345-945-7245
  
  piratesofthecaymans.com