In this article, we review the “Crystal Caves” in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. This is a popular tourist attraction that opened to the public recently in 2016.
What are the “Crystal Caves”?
The Crystal Caves are naturally occurring caves in Grand Cayman.
They formed over millions of years. There are fossilised shells and animal life in the caves that show us that at one time, they were located under the sea.
The reason that they are called the “Crystal Caves” is because there are stalagtite and stalagmite crystal structures inside the caves. These formed naturally over a long period of time.
These caves were discovered in the 1990’s, but it wasn’t until 2016 that they opened as a public tourist attraction.
Where are the Crystal Caves located?
The Crystal Caves are located on the north side of Grand Cayman near Old Man Bay.
Seven Mile Beach to the Crystal Caves is a 50 minute drive.
Cruise ship port in George Town to the Crystal Caves is a 40 minute drive.
East side of Grand Cayman to the Crystal Caves is a 20 minute drive.
Rum Point to the Crystal Caves is a 15 minute drive.
Below is a Google Map showing the exact location:
What will you see when you visit the Crystal Caves?
There are three different caves that you see when you do the tour.
Inside the caves are hundreds of stalagtite and stalagmite crystal structures. You will also see naturally occurring fresh water lagoons and wild bats.
Below is a video showing the Crystal Caves in Grand Cayman:
The Crystal Caves are located inside a rainforest, meaning that you will see different types of trees that are native to the Cayman Islands. If you are lucky, you may see a rare wild blue iguana, which is only found in the Cayman Islands. You will also see different types of birds.
Can you explore the caves alone?
No, you cannot enter the Crystal Caves alone.
You need to pay and do a guided tour. You also need to book your tour before you arrive. You can visit the official website to see their tour schedule and to make your reservation.
Are the Crystal Caves worth visiting?
Yes, the Crystal Caves are worth the time to visit.
If you are visiting Grand Cayman on a cruise, and you only have time to do one activity, then we recommend that you go to Stingray City because that is the most unique and popular tourist attraction in the Cayman Islands.
If you are in Grand Cayman for more than a day, and you have time, then you should do a tour at the Crystal Caves.
Can kids do this activity?
Yes, kids can visit the Crystal Caves.
There is a lot of walking involved on this tour, meaning that very young children may not be well suited for this activity.
Also, the weather can be hot, so this experience may not be great for babies and very young children.
What is the best way to get there?
The best way to get to the Crystal Caves is to rent a car and drive there. You can check out our article where we discuss whether it is safe to drive as a tourist in Grand Cayman.
The public bus system in Grand Cayman is not good, especially on the side of the island that the Crystal Caves are located at, so we do NOT recommend taking a public bus there.
There is no Uber or Lyft in the Cayman Islands, meaning that those method of transportation are not an option. You can read our article where we discuss why there is no Uber or Lyft in the Cayman Islands.
Is there free parking?
Yes, there is lots of free parking at the Crystal Caves.
Once you park your car, your tour guide will then take you in a separate vehicle down a dirt road into the rainforest and to the Crystal Caves. This is about a 5 minute drive.
How much does it cost?
The Crystal Cave tour costs $40 USD per person.
You can see accurate pricing on their website.
Final thoughts
The Crystal Caves are great for people that like hiking and spending time outdoors.
This is not a great activity for people with young children or very old family members. Being outside in the heat for a few hours can be too intense for certain people.
If you are looking for other things to do, you can check out our list of the 25 best things to do in the Cayman Islands, as well as our list of the 25 best snorkeling spots in Grand Cayman.
