The Wild Chickens of Cayman

While enjoying the lush grounds of Silver Sands you might notice a flock of feathered friends roaming about. The chickens of Grand Cayman are wild, harmless and add that much more character to our little island. You can find them literally everywhere, from the parking lots of banks and supermarkets, to public beaches and the bush and even (disturbingly) hanging outside of KFC... if they only knew!

Some people will eat them as they are a good organic option! However it is said that their meat can be quite tough and needs to be slow cooked.

Two of the downsides to having these guys roaming free is that they don't mind what hour of the day it is, they like to make noise! 3am.... cock-a-doodle-doo!! Also they tend to hand by the sides of the road and bolt to the other side often times making them roadkill. Poor guys.

Photography by: Heather Holt Photography

Seven Mile Summer Sunsets

Summertime in the Cayman Islands is rainy season, which can mean a multitude of things... it can be a passing storm for 10 minutes that comes through unannounced and leaves just as quickly leaving you with a crystal clear day like it never happened, it can mean a wet thundery day all day long, or it can be a perfectly sunny day for you sitting in your lounge chair on the Silver Sand's beach while watching Georgetown disappear into oblivion. Whichever way the weather turns you never know how those sunset are going to end up, with all the moisture in the air and clouds in the sky there are times when that just makes the evening explode with color as the final rays of sun sink down below the horizon. 

Hammock in Paradise

How can you possibly resist this hammock in paradise??? Silver Sand's beach has some enticing places to sit and chill and enjoy a world class view of 7-Mile Beach. This is one of the favorite spots, a hammock under the palm grove with a front row seat to the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea.

The Mastic Trail: Hiking in Grand Cayman

If you would like to get out and explore the island a bit more the Mastic Trail is a perfect day trip from Silver Sands. My best recommendation is to do it in the winter months where it is not so hot and humid. Set off in the morning, do the hike and then head on over to Over the Edge or Rum Point for some lunch and R&R.

"The Mastic Reserve on Grand Cayman protects part of the largest contiguous area of untouched, old growth dry forest remaining on the island. This area and other similar expanses of forest in Cayman are of international significance representing some of the last remaining examples of the Caribbean's dry, subtropical, semi deciduous dry forest, which have been the target of particularly intense deforestation throughout the West Indies.

The area is home to a wide variety of animals and plants unique to the Cayman Islands, and also to large populations of trees which have vanished from more accessible places through logging in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

One of the principal aims of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands is to try to safeguard the survival of the diversity of native wild plants and animals on these islands. This is most effectively achieved by protecting intact natural areas. The Trust's Land Reserves Programme was set up to acquire designated high priority environmental areas for protection under the National Trust for the Cayman Islands Law, 1987. Through a combination of donations and purchases, 834 acres of the total target area of 1,300 acres is currently under the care and management of the Trust, forming the Mastic Reserve."

All above information curtesy or the National Trust Website.

Mastic Trail Tours
Tuesday through Friday mornings

$20 for members

$24 for non-members

Additional days and private tours may also be available.

Call 749-1121 for reservations, meeting time and directions.

Although not as informative, you can also brave the trail by yourself, just be sure to bring lots of bug spray, sunscreen, a hat and wear long pants and long sleeves to protect you from the poisonous plant Maiden Plum.

There is so much wildlife that you can see, the Cayman Parrot along with other native birds, snakes and other reptiles and lizards, and so much plantlife! Another reason to do a guided tour, your guide can tell you all about every little critter you might come across.

Photography by:

Heather Holt Photography
Trip Advisor: Mastic Train Grand Cayman
All Womens Talk

Slices of Py

The Silver Sand's Beach: Pick a Chair Any Chair!

The location of Silver Sands on the far north end of 7-Mile the beach is very quiet as many people don't make it up this far. We are also extremely lucky to have a HUGE beach so even if there are a few people walking by, or other guests at Silver Sands, you can always find a nice quiet chair to chill on.

Caribbean Temptation!

We hope all you people in the great white north are staying bundled up this January! Here at Silver Sands we just want to tempt you into coming to enjoy our blue waters and warm breezes. Come and thaw out and join us down here in Cayman!

Kite Surfing in Cayman: A Tropical Winter Adventure

Winter time in Cayman is an absolute pleasure. From the festivities of the holidays to the winter activities that just are not possible during the hot and balmy air of summer. Once that heat breaks to a still nice and warm temperature, but less humid the winter winds begin, which for many on the island this wind means Kite Surfing season!

If you are visiting the island during this time and get lucky to get a nice windy day, taking a break from our Silver Sands beach might just lead to a sky high adventure! If you want to learn how to tackle this enticing sport there are plenty of opportunities for you! Check out Kite Surf Cayman (916-5483) and inquire about a lesson. 

And a big thank you to Tara Stanhope for these incredible photos! 

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful Christmas!! May your holidays be merry and bright! Or if you are spending them with us here in Cayman, may they be sunny and blue!

Merry Christmas 2016 from Silver Sands!!

From the Silver Sands staff and owners we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If you are spending your holidays with us this year here is a quick introduction to the friendly faces you will see when you arrive at Silver Sands. 

Meet Gwenda and Oleta, our office dynamic duo. Gwenda, the lovely lady in pink in the photos, is the manager and leader of the Silver Sands team. By her side is Oleta a world class second in command.

Darren is the main man for the grounds and maintenance, and Eddier pictured with Darren below is Silver Sand's green thumb and keeps the gardens lush and gorgeous. 

And finally below is our All Star house keeping team Carmen, Else, Judy and Amanda. They keep the place spick and span for your comfort.

If you can't share the holidays with us this year we hope you will consider Silver Sands for your holiday escape for next year! Call Gwenda to get your booking locked in.

Pirates Week 2016: The Pirates Pooch Parade!

Here in Cayman everyone gets into the famous Pirates Week! Including our beloved Cayman mutts and the Pirates Pooch Parade!

November is a great time to visit the Cayman Islands, it is still low season and the island is on the quieter side with visitors, Silver Sand's beach is still very quiet, plus there are the activities of Pirates Week! You can even go to the Humane Society and adopt a doggie for the day and participate in the fun Pirate Pooch Parade.

Many people come on vacation and miss their pets at home. Visitors can satisfy their canine cravings and head to the Humane Society where the dogs are always grateful for a walk, a day out at the beach, or even adoption!! There are many organizations that can help visitors take these beautiful and unique Cayman mutts back home to the US for a forever home.

A huge thanks to the Humane Society of the Cayman Islands, all the lovely Cayman residents who are doggie lovers and took the time to dress the HS doggies as pirates, and of course Barb for her amazing photos, thanks Barbara Virano Cevela Photography!

Check out photos from 2017 Pooch Parade here.

Check out past Pirates Week posts:
-Pirates Week 2015: Featuring the Jolly Roger
-Pirates in the Caribbean Cayman Style