Photo: Courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
Easy to reach and accessible once you're there, the trip of isles — Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman — that make up the Cayman Islands offer gorgeous white-sand beaches and clear blue Caribbean water, without hassle or a long flight — which makes it the perfect honeymoon destination. Here, we break down seven things newlyweds absolutely must do once they arrive to paradise.
1. Splurge on a luxe hotel.
When it comes to your honeymoon resort, where you stay defines your trip. Pick the decadent Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman, and you'll not only be on stunning Seven Mile Beach, you'll have a classic, colonial-style room and the kind of polished service that makes all the difference when you spend most of your time at your hotel.
2. Enjoy a few unforgettable meals.
There are some truly great restaurants on Grand Cayman. Michael Schwartz of Miami's Michael's Genuine Food and Drink opened an outpost here, and it's casual, fun, and every bit as good as the original. Our advice: Don't leave without trying the Peanuts and Popcorn dessert, a caloric splurge that's worth the extra treadmill time. Also, even if you're not staying at the Ritz-Carlton, you'll want to dine at Blue by Eric Ripert, an amazing restaurant by Manhattan's France-born master of all things seafood. Also, be sure to book a table at Anchor & Den at the Grand Cayman Marriott for just-caught seafood and out-of-this-world jerk pork.
3. Treat yourselves to a spa day.
Nothing makes the stress of wedding planning — and the intensity of the big day itself — melt away quite like a spa day. Book a 90-minute minute couples' massage at The Westin Grand Cayman to truly give yourself a chance to relax and let go. Bonus: It comes with a half-hour in a private Jacuzzi tub.
4. Meet some of the locals.
One of the most popular things to do in the Cayman Islands is a swim with the stingrays. Head to Stingray City for the afternoon, and you'll get to take a dip in warm, shallow water with more than two dozen of these magnificent creatures.
See more: 5 Reasons We Love Honeymooning in the Caribbean
5. Try your hand at fishing.
If you or your new husband enjoy fishing, the unspoiled shores of the Cayman Islands are a great place to fly fish and spin cast. Serious fishermen and women should consider staying at the Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman, where the staff can show you where on-site you can fish for bonefish and jacks, or take you off-shore fishing so you catch marlin, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and even tuna.
6. Hit the reef.
You don't want to leave the islands without observing the gorgeous sea creatures just under the surface of the water. Visit Rum Point Beach for a morning of snorkeling, and keep your eyes open for school of blue tang fish and rainbow colored parrot fish. If sea turtles are more your thing, go to Eden Rock. Either way, be sure to pack an underwater camera, even a disposable one, so you can take the perfect selfies with your new finned friends, and don't forget to apply sunscreen to the top of your head so you don't get the signature snorkeler's telltale sunburn.
7. Go farm-to-table.
Le Soleil D'Or on Cayman Brac has a 20-acre organic farm that supplies much of the produce for the resort. Dine on the fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and even edible flowers grown here, as well as locally hatched eggs. Stay here, and not only will your meals be made from these fresh ingredients, but you can also sign up for guided farm and garden tours — on which you can pick fruit and vegetables, and try your hand at jamming and preserving fruits by canning — as well as a wide variety of cooking classes and even private dinners designed just for the two of you.
The Cayman Islands are not only a fabulous place to honeymoon, but it's also a gorgeous locale for a destination wedding! Pick up our June/July issue, which hits stands on May 5, to check out new ways to do island "I do's." We photographed some of the most stunning wedding dresses on Grand Cayman's famous Seven Mile Beach!