Cayman Crystal Caves
Cayman Crystal Caves
4.5
About
Cayman Crystal Caves is a fascinating nature attraction located in Northside, Grand Cayman, and Cayman's newest tourist attraction. When you visit Cayman Crystal Caves, you will be escorted with a knowledgeable Tour Guide, and join us on an adventure exploration of "Cayman Down Under". You will venture into amazing caves where you'll see stalactite and stalagmite crystal structures and otherworldly formations, formed by single drops of water and the slow passage of time. Tour through the unique rainforest nature, under which the caves formed. Amongst the forest and caves is plenty of plant and animal life including strangler fig trees, air plants, parrots, and bats.... History Cayman Crystal Caves have formed over millions of years. Fossilized shells and animal life in the caves show us that at one time, the mass now containing the caves was all located under the sea. Over time, as sea levels changed and land began to rise, rooms began to form through water erosion, making caves. Within these rooms spectacular stalagmite and stalagtite crystal structures began to form, as rain water dripping through the limestone ceiling of the caves left calcium deposits behind. The caves are still today continuing to evolve. The process of stalagmite and stalagtite formation occurs as rain water becomes slightly acidic when it first travels through surrounding plants, earth and other organic matter. This acidic water disolves part of the limestone as it seeps through the earth, and re-deposits microscopic calcium layers, as the water drips from the cave celings. Over time these deposits collectively form the crystal structures. Hundreds of years ago, Pirates used these caves as hideouts, and also as shelters from the elements, including hurricanes. As the Cayman Islands became populated, locals used the surrounding lush lands as farmlands, and mined the caves for rich fertilizer produced by bat guana, as some of the caves are inhabited by bats. In the last half century farming stopped, as the population switched to more lucrative jobs within the tourism and financial sectors. In the early 1990s, Christian and Ole Sorensen undertook an in depth search and exploration of all caves in the Cayman Islands, and began talks with the Cayman Islands government on developing a cave attraction based on the experience from the family's development of the very successful Harrison's caves in Barbados. After a few years, it was realized that the crystal caves of Old Man Bay were extremely unique and stood above any other caves in the Cayman Islands, and for that matter, most of the world. It took almost another two decades to purchase the various parcels which encompasses the caves and surrounding rain forest, as well as devise a route to the landlocked site from the main road. In the last few years of planning the attraction, Ergun Berksoy and the Berksoy family, who have vast experience in the tourism sector, joined the Sorensen family in this venture and together they have seen Cayman's newest and very exciting tourist attraction to completion.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.

Top ways to experience Cayman Crystal Caves and nearby attractions

See what travellers are saying
  • EFM70
    Jersey, United Kingdom12 contributions
    Amazing place to visit
    Absolute gem of a place! If you get to the Cayman Islands you must make a trip out to the Crystal Caves! The caves are beautiful and very well preserved. Our guide was great and provided an explanation and history of each cave that we entered. Would highly recommend.
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 30 November 2022
  • Rene N
    7 contributions
    Spend a couple of hours learning history and walking in nature
    The shuttle picked us up at our hotel on East End and drove us to the caves. The driver was friendly, courteous, and professional. We got to the caves and waited while a few other people arrived. In the meantime, we sat in the shade and got some insect repellent from a station they have there in the waiting area. The place is clean. The bathrooms are clean. Just before we started, we got a short history lesson about the area and the caves. It was great to learn all about how the caves were discovered and developed, and how the original seven families arrived and settled that part of the island. We then were driven a few minutes into the property to where the trails for the caves begin. It was wonderful to walk in all of that nature (there are some trees to avoid, and the guide will tell you about it). We walked through three cave systems, each more beautiful than the next. We got to see some fruit bats resting in the caves. And the guide was very knowledgeable about the caves and the surrounding land. Highly recommended for adults and teens. Younger children may not be as interested, but then there are some kids who are. People with mobility issues may have a hard time going up and down steps, or down steep embankments. The tour was all in English, as is the signage. Will definitely visit again.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 2 December 2022
  • Heather S
    Las Vegas, Nevada21 contributions
    Incredible experience
    I can’t express how impressed we were with this entire operation. I booked a private tour because I am admittedly impatient and thought it would suit us best. Perfection is the word to describe it! Yves was our guide and was not only extremely informative, but was fun and dare I say respectful of the fact that some things weren’t appropriate to say in front of my 9 y/o daughter. From start to finish, this is a class act and certainly worth pulling yourself from the beach for a few hours!
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 December 2022
  • Gaby S
    2 contributions
    Experience not to overlook
    My boyfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the crystal caves. I had no idea what to expect and the tour definitely exceeded my expectations! The caves are so intricate and beautiful and millions of years old. Our guide Lewis was so knowledgeable and also down to earth and fun. He was very helpful to take our photos and answer our questions. The caves themselves are breathtaking and the grounds surrounding are like a lush tropical rainforest. We even saw many fruit bats and an iguana. This tour is not something to miss and worth the drive if you're staying on 7 Mile beach. Glad we were able to take the tour. Don't miss out!
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 December 2022
  • Cheryl P
    San Juan, Puerto Rico56 contributions
    Awe Inspiring Experience
    Mr. Archie shared an amazing story at the welcome and our guide Patrick was knowledgeable and entertaining. Spectacular history lesson as we navigated the caves. The awe inspiring beauty of the caves is going to be my best memory.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 4 December 2022
  • Scott C
    Marietta, Georgia10 contributions
    Great not water activity
    If you’re looking to do something out of the water activities, this is a great east end activity. We really enjoyed our time visiting the caverns. The your guide was great. Learned a lot about the area and how it was formed. The caverns are small but full of great features. There aren’t that many stairs and it is not claustrophobic
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 December 2022
  • OnAir827423
    1 contribution
    Lovely and Informative Tour
    My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. It was interesting learning about the history of the beautiful expansive property. From the introduction by a descendent of two of the founding families of the area, to the friendly, fun and patient tour guide, we appreciated the beauty and grandiosity of the caves.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 December 2022
  • Tessa W
    18 contributions
    Crystal Caves are captivating!
    Three different caves and a walk on well maintained paths through botanical labeled plants was perfect for a Naturalist! It was nice and convenient to be picked up and dropped off at hotel on west side. Yves pointed out some sights as we drove as well as led an entertaining tour. Highly recommend!
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 December 2022
  • Mr Pa
    7 contributions
    Good tour
    It was a good tour. The tour guide jasmine was great. Very informative and friendly. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. The only down side to the trip was that the shuttle was over booked by 1 person (don’t know who that could have been 😂).
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 8 December 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
2,826 reviews
Excellent
2,301
Very good
391
Average
99
Poor
19
Terrible
17

Jac Cayman
London, UK3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
The caves are definitely worth a visit and Yves was a great guide. Buy a bag of dirt to sieve from the mining stall, it’s fun and you get lots of gems and stones as souvenirs
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DPLPTravelers
9 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Fascinating, educational and fun humor cave tour by Yves, with an interesting history intro by Mr. Whitaker. The caves were stunningly cool, mysterious and beautiful with special formations highlighted by Yves every step if the way. We’ve been thru Mammoth Cave in USA, and some others, but these caves had their own unique personality. Tour also included learning about Cayman trees, bats, and a termite nest. DON’T MISS THIS TOUR!
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mary M
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Worthwhile experience with an excellent tour guide. Manageable sized groups allowed for expedited tour of three fabulous caves.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Delia L
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Tour was awesome, our guide was amazing! Highly recommend when visiting Grand Cayman. Totally worth it!
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leslie S
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
Fun family friendly tour by very knowledgable staff! We learned about island history, cave geology, local wildlife and animals. We even got great tips on local eats from the lead guide who bears a striking resemblance to Gus Fring from Breaking Bad - but a much nicer guy :)
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mandy R
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
Beautiful tropical forest and fascinating caves. Also included is interesting history of 1st settlers on the island! Definitely worth a visit!
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dpp74
St. Augustine, FL602 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We first went 5 or 6 years ago and enjoyed it TREMENDOUSLY! Our guide had grown up on the land and was nonstop full of information about the vegetation, land, area, and caves. This visit our guide provided literally no information. She led us to the caves and said there’s the exit when you are ready to leave . It was really bizarre. Lazy lazy. So disappointing.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrea B
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The caves were amazing and beautiful. We took the best pics. Thanks to our tour guide Ashani who is very knowledgeable and informative. Would definitely suggest this tour to anyone.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deedle T
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
It was a well-organized tour, and the caves were amazing, and well maintained. Our guide, Aidan, was very knowledgeable of the caves with its stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes, but also of the plant life surrounding the caves as well as a general history of the island. I didn't know that this attraction opened only in 2016. I enjoyed all the caves but my favorite was the bat cave as well as the cavern containing the lake. Of the plant life, the story of why the duppy bush is thus named and the origin of the name Stranglers Balsam were extremely fascinating. Aidan made sure that safety was of the utmost priority but our group had fun despite the various warnings to not touch anything and to always watch our step. Heed the advice to wear comfortable closed shoes (no flip-flops!) and light clothing. Highly recommended!
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Billy A
Chapin, South Carolina3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We had a great time on our ATV tour. Our guides were awesome and we got to see a part of the island I would think most don’t see. We even got to “open it up” at the end which was a blast. Highly recommend and would do it again.
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 2,803
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Cayman Crystal Caves (Grand Cayman) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Cayman Crystal Caves

According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Cayman Crystal Caves: