Table of Contents

17 Top Cayman Islands Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

what to pack for the cayman islands
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The Cayman Islands offer a unique blend of European influence and Caribbean charm. Consisting of three separate islands, this self-governing British territory is located in the Caribbean Sea between Cuba and Central America. The Caymans have something fun for the entire family and are sure to be a memorable trip. By the time you leave this beautiful island paradise, you will be more than relaxed and running on island time.

There are a few essentials that we suggest you bring with you for this tropical getaway, especially if this is your first time down in the Caribbean. We have created a list of everything you need to pack and what NOT to bring to make your trip as seamless as possible. We have even thrown in some FAQs to help answer any questions you might have.

See our product selection criteria and guidelines here.

What to Pack for the Cayman Islands - 17 Essentials

  • 1. Packing Cubes

    It’s no secret that keeping all of your belongings organized when you travel can be a nightmare. Using packing cubes can help you to keep all of your clothes, shoes, and other travel essentials separated and organized for easy transport and a more enjoyable experience once you arrive at your destination. These are also great to throw dirty clothes into once you are finished with them.

    Packing Cubes

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  • 2. Life Straw Waterbottle

    The Cayman Islands don’t always have reliable clean drinking water and because of this, it is smart to take a life straw water bottle with you on your travels. These water bottles help eliminate waste and ensure that you will avoid catching any water-borne illnesses while you are away. The islands are also HOT and there is nothing that will ruin a day of your trip faster than being dehydrated so be sure to drink lots of filtered water.

    Life Straw Waterbottle

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  • 3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

    In a predominantly work-from-home world, it is important to always be able to connect to the internet in a way that you know is safe. A virtual private network helps to keep your computer free from any viruses, spam, or hackers that could happen when you are abroad using open connection networks.

    vpn

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  • 4. Neck Wallet

    Neck wallets are a super helpful travel accessory because not only do they help you stay organized, but they also work as an anti-theft device for your most important cards and documents. Although the Cayman Islands are overall a safe place to visit, petty crimes like theft can still happen and it is smart to come prepared with measures to help you avoid that.

    Neck Wallet

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  • 5. Hanging Toiletry Bag

    Toiletries are difficult to organize even when you are home, let alone when you are traveling across the world! Having a hanging toiletry bag is a great way to make sure that you stay organized on the go and once you arrive at where you are staying. These are especially useful when you are staying with multiple people in a smaller space because they eliminate clutter in the bathroom.

    Hanging Toiletry Bag

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  • 6. Windproof Travel Umbrella

    The Cayman Islands have wet rainy summers and hot dry winters and an umbrella can be useful during both! Whether you are trying to dodge the rainfall or trying to catch a little bit of shade during your beach day, an umbrella can help you to stay dry or cool at any time of the year.

    Windproof Travel Umbrella

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  • 7. Crossbody Day Pack

    In the Caymans you will likely be spending a lot of time on the beach and exploring the ocean via boat and doing various activities. Having a crossbody day bag to help you stay organized is essential as you embark on your adventures. Having the crossbody is also a great way to protect yourself from any potential theft as well.

    Crossbody Day Pack

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  • 8. Universal Travel Adaptor

    Being able to plug in and charge up is vital in today’s world and this universal travel adaptor is a fantastic one-time buy that ensures you will be able to “plug in” no matter where you are in the world. The Cayman Islands use 120 V and 60hz, which is the same as the United States.

    Power Adaptor

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  • 9. Mosquito Repelling Wristbands

    The Cayman Islands are tropical which means there will be bugs! Mosquitoes are a given in all warm weather climates and the Caymans are no exception. Mosquito repelling wristbands help you to keep the pesky bugs away from you without having to worry about smelling like DEET wherever you go.

    Mosquito Repelling Wristbands

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  • 10. Quick-dry Travel Towel

    When you are on an island an impromptu swim is likely to happen at any given moment. Because of this, having a towel on hand is a must. These quick-drying and lightweight travel towels help you to be able to enjoy a dip in the ocean at any given time without having to lug around a heavy sopping wet towel with you after.

    travel towel

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  • 11. Waterproof Dry Bag

    Some things just aren’t meant to get wet. Cash, phones, cameras, and other valuable personal items need to be kept dry at all costs. Having a waterproof dry bag is a fantastic way to make sure that even if your bag gets splashed or exposed to water, all of your belongings will be okay.

    Waterproof Dry Bag

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  • 12. Universal Waterproof Phone Case

    The Cayman Islands have so many fun opportunities to spend time in the ocean. From snorkeling to ocean jet skiing, to swimming with manta rays. It is important to capture all of your best memories while also keeping your phone safe from any damage. This universal waterproof phone case will ensure that you don’t miss a thing while also protecting your phone.

    Universal Waterproof Phone Case

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  • 13. Travel Size Reef Safe Sunscreen

    The sun is hot down in the Cayman Islands and sunscreen is a must if you don’t want to spend the second half of your trip trying to dodge the sun at all costs. Having a travel-sized sunscreen, that is also reef safe to protect the ocean, is a non-negotiable for protecting your skin and making the most of your vacation.

    Travel Size Reef Safe Sunscreen

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  • 14. Cooling Towel

    When you are doing activities around the Cayman Islands that don’t involve water, things can heat up quickly. Having a cooling towel on hand when you are inland or just laying out by the pool or ocean, can help you to beat the hot sun and stay feeling refreshed and energized while you are out and about.

    Cooling Towel

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  • 15. Portable Charger

    When you are out and about it is important to be able to capture all of the important moments, check into flights, find confirmation numbers for excursions, or use your phone as a GPS or search engine. Unfortunately, the battery life in our devices isn’t always the most reliable. Having a portable charger will help to keep access to all your important travel information the entire time you are away from your hotel or vacation rental.

    charger

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  • 16. Travel Insurance

    As much as we love to anticipate that everything will go smoothly, there are often hiccups and unexpected things that happen when you travel. Getting travel insurance helps you to rest assured that anything that may go wrong, such as a missed flight or lost luggage, won’t leave your pockets emptied. We use TravelInsurance.com to compare policies from top companies to find the best plan for our family and travel plans.

    Travel Insurance

    Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

  • 17. Portable Beach Blanket

    The Cayman Islands are known for their pristine beaches and it’s more than likely that you will end up spending a lot of time at them. Having a portable beach blanket ensures that you will have maximum comfort and enjoyment of this experience and keep the bulk of your essentials away from the sand.

    Portable Beach Blanket

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What to Wear to The Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands experience two primary seasons, which include a hot and humid summer that sees a lot of rain from May to October, and a cooler dry season that runs from November to April. Temperatures from May to October average around the mid-eighties to low nineties. November to April sees slightly cooler temps that run from the mid-seventies to mid-eighties.

That being said, it is always warm in the Caymans! You can wear beach clothes year round there and at most would need a light rain jacket during the rainy season. Below we have included various items ranging from sun hats to sandals below to help get you started on your perfect vacation wardrobe!

What-to-Wear-in-The-Cayman-Islands
What Should WOMEN Wear in The Cayman Islands? – (Click to expand)
Below is a sample women’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Tank Tops
Shorts
Skirt
Sundress
Swimsuit
Swimsuit Cover
Sunglasses
Blouse
Purse
Sandals
Water Shoes
Sun Hat
2 Piece Set
Jumper
Denim Shorts

For women we recommend materials that are light and don’t stick to your body. Light cottons and linens are great for this. An awesome pair of denim shorts is also a great thing to have to throw on over your swimsuit after a day at the beach. It is not uncommon to see people wearing just a swim top and a pair of denim shorts over their swim bottoms here. Sundresses are also a fantastic way to keep cool as you are exploring the islands.

What Should MEN Wear in The Cayman Islands? – (Click to expand)
Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

T-Shirt
Shorts
Sandals
Hat
Daypack
Waterproof Watch
Tank
Swim Trunks
Sunglasses
Linen Set
Short-Sleeved Shirt
Beach Tank
Baseball Cap
Cargo Shorts
Summer Shoes

For men, we suggest a couple of pairs of solid beach shorts and light t-shirts or button-ups. The Cayman Islands are also a fun place to rock a linen beach set. Anything that breathes well and helps you stay cool in the hot temperatures of the Cayman Islands is a must. These looks are not complete without hats, sandals, and a great waterproof watch to accompany them.

Packing for the Seasons in The Cayman Islands

Rainy Season – May, June, July, August, September, October

Although this season is the rainy season, it is also the hotter of the two seasons and sees much greater humidity levels than the dry season does. Rainy season in the Cayman Islands ranges from May to October and the temperatures usually range from the mid-eighties to the low/mid-nineties. Rainy season doesn’t mean that it rains all day, however, and you will still be plenty hot. Stick with summer attire during this time, but just make sure to have a light rain jacket or umbrella during this time in case you get caught in a tropical storm.
Rainy-Season

 

Dry Season – November, December, January, February, March, April

Dry season is exactly what it sounds like, hot and dry. This time of year, ranging from November to April, sees slightly lower, although still plenty warm, temperatures and doesn’t get near as much, if any, rainfall. The temperatures during this time will range from the mid-seventies to the mid-eighties and this can be a great time to go to the Cayman Islands if you want to avoid getting caught in the rain. The dress code during this time stays pretty consistent with the rainy season, you can just ditch the raincoat!
Dry-Season
Dressing Appropriately for the Activity – (Click to expand)
Stingray City Snorkeling

Stingray City is one of the best attractions in the Cayman Islands. There are many tours available that will take you out to see this amazing ocean ally full of starfish, nursing sharks, and stingrays. You can snorkel, swim and get up close with these incredible creatures. A swimsuit, waterproof sandals, and a swimsuit cover-up of some kind are the best options for a tour like this. Don’t forget your waterproof phone case and dry bag as well!

Nighttime Bioluminescence Swim

One of the most beautiful occurrences in nature can be found in the Cayman Islands! At certain times of the year on Grand Cayman, you can go on a night snorkeling tour to swim with the blue bioluminescent plankton. This dress code will be similar to the one above with a swimsuit and light beach clothes that you can throw on over it before and after swimming.

Cayman Crystal Caves

The crystal caves are a beautiful natural wonder that you can take a guided tour through. This may be one of the only times on your trip that you might want a sweatshirt, as the temperatures inside of the caves will be much lower than anything you will experience above ground. We recommend shorts and a t-shirt with a sweatshirt to potentially throw on in case you get cold.

Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach is often referred to as the best beach in the Caribbean. With seven miles of perfect white sand and pristine water, you will want to bring all of your beach essentials with you for a nice day of relaxation. The dress code for this is going to be your favorite swimwear with swimsuit cover-ups, hats, sunglasses, and a whole lot of sunscreen!

West Bay Bike Loop

The West Bay Loop is a 9 miles biking loop that consists of a mix of paved and sandy trails and lets you get a good glimpse of the beauty that the West Bay has to offer. For this, we suggest clothes that are light and comfortable because you will be in the sun. It could also benefit to have longer linen pants on for this as it can help you in case of any unforeseen biking accidents.

What NOT to Take to The Cayman Islands

  • 1.DON’T Bring Bulky Shoes

    You will primarily wear sandals, possible athletic or water shoes when doing physical activities, and pretty much nothing else here. Bringing bulky hiking shoes or boots of any kind would be impractical.

  • 2.DON’T Bring Warm Clothes

    As we have mentioned, the temperatures here are going to be hot year round so even in the cooler parts of the year you will not need any sort of sweaters, long jeans, or winter clothes.

  • 3.DON’T Bring Thick Jackets

    Although a light sweatshirt or rain jacket may come in handy, ditch the bulky winter coats and save them for your next snowy vacation to Switzerland.

  • 4.DON’T Bring Snorkeling or Diving Gear

    Snorkeling and diving opportunities are everywhere in the Cayman Islands, however, gear for these activities will be provided and it would be silly to bring your own.

  • 5. DON’T Bring a Regular Towel

    This will just take up unnecessary space in your luggage. Anywhere you stay here will provide bathing towels and we recommend a lightweight quick-drying towel to pack for your time at the beach.

  • 6.DON’T Overpack

    It is easy to want to bring your whole closet with you when you go on vacation, but when you are living the island life it is best to keep it as simple as possible with a few good summer staples and plenty of cute swimsuits!

What NOT to Wear – (Click to expand)
It is important to avoid any bulky, thermal, or heavy clothing when you are in the Cayman Islands. Parkas and winter coats are a no-go as well. Boots and heavy shoes or anything that is primarily used in the winter is also really good to avoid bringing. These things will not be useful in any way during your time here and will take up space in your packing and be a total nuisance to lug around.

FAQs about The Cayman Islands

  • 1. What is the best island to visit?

    What is the best island to visit?

    The Cayman Islands consist of three islands that are close in proximity to one another and each offer unique experiences to relax and explore. However, the majority of activities will be found on Grand Cayman and it is generally the most recommended of the islands, especially if you are a first-time visitor. No matter where you decide to visit, you can’t go wrong. All of the islands have beautiful water and a lush landscape.

  • 2. What language is spoken here?

    The primary language spoken here is English.

  • 3. When is the best time to visit the Cayman Islands?

    When is the best time to visit the Cayman Islands?

    The best months to visit the Cayman Islands are between March and June. Temperatures are warm during this time of year and you are less likely to run into a tropical rainstorm because this is right before the beginning of the rainy season. However, do be prepared for more crowds during the summer months as most people take advantage of their summer holiday’s and the good weather during this time.

  • 4. Where are the best beaches?

    The best beaches on Grand Cayman include; West Bay Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Starfish Point, and Smiths Cove.

  • 5. What is the best area to stay in?

    What is the best area to stay in?

    The best areas to stay in on Grand Cayman are either near Seven Mile Beach or on the East End. There is much to do in both areas.

    Seven Mile beach offers quick access to ocean activities and is the location of a lot of the more high-end and luxury hotels. Everything you could want to do in the Caymans is easily accessed from here, making a rental car unnecessary.

    The East End, on the other hand, is slower-paced and is a more secluded and relaxed area. It is fantastic for couples who want a quieter vacation away from the swarms of vacationing families located around Seven Mile Beach. It is home to only all-inclusive resorts so that is something to be mindful of when booking. A downside is that it is not as close to as many activities and therefore a rental car is highly recommended.

  • 6. What excursions are worth it?

    What excursions are worth it?

    Some of the excursions that we recommend the most include; Stingray City snorkeling, horseback riding on the beach, a nighttime bioluminescent swim, the crystal caves, scuba diving, and ocean jet skiing! These are just the top attractions. There are so many activities worth checking out in the Cayman Islands.