Running through the airport and dodging children while praying you don’t trip over your skirt is never a great way to start a vacation, but that’s exactly what happened when I rushed to catch a connecting flight in Atlanta in July. I was going from Detroit to Grand Cayman, and since 2019, it’s been the only way to get from here to the Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory located in the western Caribbean.
Starting Dec. 20, Michiganders can once again enjoy direct flights to Grand Cayman until April 12, 2026, through Delta Air Lines. With mild temperatures (79 degrees F on average) and less humid weather than usual, this is considered an optimal time to visit.
It’s also a great time to go if you enjoy seafood, as it is lobster and conch season. I recommend a stop at Macabuca, an oceanfront tiki bar located in West Bay, where you can eat “everything conch” and watch scuba divers swim by. I tried the sea snail dish for the first time, available as a chowder, a fritter, and a ceviche.
Like many other restaurants on the island, Cayman Cabana, located near Seven Mile Beach, also offers a beautiful view of the water, especially in the evening for the family-style farm-to-table dinner that it’s hosted for 12 years. There, I enjoyed conversation with two sisters from Buffalo, New York, while savoring a four-course, eight-dish spread made with local ingredients. The sisters have been to the Cayman Islands about 20 times! At the end, co-owner Luigi Moxam gave us each a mango that came from his mother’s backyard.
The vibe is similar at Ms. Piper’s Kitchen and Garden at the Hampton by Hilton (where I stayed), minus the family-style meal. I sat alone for three hours, enjoying the cozy outdoor ambiance and live music from Caymanian singer James Geary, who recently auditioned for The Voice UK.
If you’re looking for something more casual, head over to Peppers Bar & Grill for authentic Jamaican jerk chicken or to D’s Pizza food truck for a slice of Detroit-style pizza, which tastes like the real thing. For something sweet (especially cassava cake), check out Scratch.
When it comes to fun activities, there’s plenty to do. However, going to Stingray City with Captain Marvin’s, the island’s longest-running tour operators, was definitely my favorite.
Now, don’t go and embarrass us metro Detroiters and be fearful of the stingrays. They behave more like puppies and are so friendly! Give them a kiss for seven years of good luck! For something more relaxed, Starfish Point is also available as a stop on the tour. Just don’t pull your new star-shaped friends out of the water — it will kill them.
Another must-try water activity is Cayman Kayaks’ Bioluminescent Bay kayak tour at Rum Point. You’ll kayak through the shallow waters and watch as your paddle begins to create glowing stripes below, a phenomenon caused by millions of single-cell plankton that produce light when touched. During the tour, you’ll be allowed to swim and watch the water glow around you.
When you’re ready to get out of the water and explore the island, make sure one of your stops is at the Cayman Crystal Caves, which are 10 to 50 million years old. Or, if you want to escape the heat, visit the island’s National Gallery and learn about Caymanian artistic heritage or head over to Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa for a relaxing Hydrafacial or the popular Artisan’s Touch or salt-stone massages.
Before you end your trip, visit one of the locally owned shops, like Cayman Scents. Grab a bath bomb for a soothing soak, a coconut-shell candle for a friend, or a body spray to take the scent of the island home
This story originally appeared in the September 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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