Grand Cayman in the summer is hot. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But here’s the thing — the water fixes everything.
I’ve been out on the water on days where it’s 90 degrees with no breeze, and once we’re moving, nobody cares. The ocean does what no air conditioning can do. It cools you down, it gets you present, and within about five minutes of being offshore, the heat becomes part of the experience instead of something you’re fighting.
That said, here’s what I tell every group before they board in the summer months.
We run morning and afternoon charters, so pick whatever fits your day best.
Start early if you can. We like to get moving before 9 a.m. The sun is lower, the air hasn’t built up yet, and the water is at its calmest. By the time the heat peaks in the early afternoon, you’ve already been in the ocean twice and you’re on your way back with a full day behind you.
Get in the water. This sounds obvious, but some people stay on the boat for longer stretches than they need to. Every stop we make — Stingray City, the reef, wherever we go — is a chance to just get in. The water temperature in the summer runs around 84 degrees, which sounds warm but feels incredible when you’ve been sitting in the sun.
Bring real sunscreen and actually use it. The reflection off the water doubles what you’re getting from above. I see guests burn in an hour who thought they were fine because there was a breeze. SPF 50, reapply after every swim, and cover the back of your neck.
A rash guard or light cover-up makes a bigger difference than most people expect. A lot of my regulars wear them now. It cuts down on reapplication, keeps you cooler than sitting in direct sun, and you can swim in it. Small thing, big difference over a six-hour day.
We have water and juice on board, but if you’re someone who drinks a lot, bring an extra bottle. It’s easy to lose track when you’re having a good time out there.
Summer on the water in Grand Cayman really is a great experience. It just takes a little preparation to stay comfortable. Once you’ve got that dialed in, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
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