I love the Cayman Islands not only because my family has lived there since the mid-1700s, but also for the unparalleled beauty, diversity and tranquillity. One might argue that my affection stems simply from bias; however, the islands’ status as a coveted leisure haven proves otherwise.
Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands alongside Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, forms the golden trifecta of the British West Indies. My favourite time to visit Grand Cayman is mid-January during the Cayman Cookout at The Ritz-Carlton, a culinary event where Michelin-starred cuisine is served in easy small plates under white pop-up tents on the beach.
You can sip custom cocktails that pair with the fare while enjoying tutorials brimming with anecdotes and humour from renowned French chefs Eric Ripert and Daniel Boulud, alongside Spanish-American chef José Andrés.
I draw endless design inspiration from the beaches. My favourites are Seven Mile Beach, with its pure white sand and contrasting turquoise water, and Rum Point, where friendly stingrays swim to the shoreline, looking to be fed shrimp by sympathetic beachgoers. About four miles offshore is Stingray City, a sandbar where you can swim with these domesticated “angels of the sea” and trade handfuls of shrimps. Trust me, the stingrays relish it!
Night swimming in the calm, clear bioluminescent water at Rum Point is another of my favourite indulgences. I recommend a semi-private guided canoe excursion with friends, splashing to your heart’s content as the tiny glowing fish dart around, adding to the spectacular light show.
When Grand Cayman locals seek a quick weekend getaway, they visit their sister island, Cayman Brac, a remote, 14-mile-long island just a 30-minute flight away. It presents major Cast Away vibes with its small population (about 2,000 people), untamed archipelago feel and rugged bluff coastline.
My favourite hotel on Cayman Brac is the five-star Le Soleil d’Or, which has a 20-acre farm that provides 300 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs to the locals – and offers organic farm-to-table cuisine in the restaurant. Its beachfront location, The Beach Club, features thatched-roof huts where you can sip decadent piña coladas.
Once there, seek out Mossy, a local British ex-pat tour guide, to reveal the island’s hidden gems including the surprisingly beautiful bat caves and key snorkelling spots, and the artisan Annilee Ebanks, who weaves bespoke baskets and handbags from local silver thatch palm. I wanted to bring home five to call my own, however, my luggage didn’t allow it.
There’s a semi-precious gemstone found only in the Caymans, Caymanite, that I collect in its raw form whenever I can. Its beautifully layered and striped earth-tone hues of sand, beige, and pink mirror the colours of Caymanian sand and sunsets. Not surprisingly, its metaphysical properties – said to promote calm, balance and alleviate negative feelings—are a reflection of the environment’s serenity.
I’ve been so inspired by Caymanite and the beauty of the islands that I’m now designing a 12-piece limited-edition fine jewellery collection with my friend Céline Cousteau, granddaughter of explorer and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, to benefit the National Trust of the Cayman Islands. The Trust protects wildlife and preserves endangered species, such as the Caymanian Blue Iguana – there are only 1,500 in existence.
