cayman islands running Archives - Island Diaries by Kate

Gorgeous weather, picturesque seascapes, and palm tree lined paths. These words describe the running scene in Grand Cayman. This island offers a wide array of flat, scenic running loops which are great (free) alternatives to hitting the gym or joining a fitness class. Lace up your trainers, hydrate like crazy, and you are on your way to the best workout nature can provide!

Running is a great way to explore new places (or places you’ve lived forever). You’re able to develop an expanded appreciation for your surroundings as your brain makes connections that just aren’t possible when driving around in a car. And let’s not even mention the physical and mental benefits of going out for a jog! If you can’t tell, I am a big fan of running 🙂

Do I have you convinced? Are you ready to go out for a run or try out a new route? Then read on as I highlight the 7 Best Running Routes in Grand Cayman! You will note that they are all roughly 3 mile (5K) routes as this is my preferred distance; however, you could easily add on mileage at the beginning or end of the routes. They are also all in the Seven Mile or South Sound area as these are my stomping grounds. Happy Running!!

THE BEST RUNNING ROUTES IN GRAND CAYMAN

1. Governor’s to Heritage Club

Type of Course: Out & Back, Pavement + Gravel

Where to go: Start at Governor’s Beach and head west on West Bay Road. When you arrive at Public Beach, take the pedestrian path toward the Kimpton. Continue past the Kimpton onto the gravel. After a bit of “off-roading” you will eventually meet back up with West Bay Road, but don’t go much further! The turn-around point is at Heritage Club (yellow high rise condo building). Once you hit this, you’ll know it’s time to turn around and back track the whole course.

Course Highlights: This route will allow you to enjoy ocean views as you jog along the Public Beach path. Here you will see other fellow runners as well as dog-walkers, beach-goers, and volleyball players. I love the active, friendly vibe of this area. Definitely one of the best running routes in Grand Cayman!

2. North Sound Golf Course

Type of Course: Loop, Pavement + Grass

Where To Go: Start at the North Sound Golf Course entrance (closest to Waterways apartments). Follow the road until you arrive at an entrance gate. Run through the gate and take a right onto Crighton Drive. Keep going until you get to the Holiday Inn. Cut right onto the golf course and follow the golf cart path to the water. This is roughly your halfway point. Continue running along the shore through the grass and you will see the clubhouse come into sight. Run to the clubhouse and continue on straight until you arrive back to the entrance.

Course Highlights: This is my all time favorite running loop in Cayman for a couple different reasons. First, it’s always gorgeous. I love to go at sunrise or sunset — the colors of the sky matched with the pristine green fairways is nothing short of stunning. Secondly, it is a very peaceful setting and I don’t run into many people. (This is often ideal on a small island like Cayman.) And don’t worry — I’ve never been hit by a rogue golf ball! Living on the edge.

3. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Course

Type of Course: Out & Back, Pavement + Gravel

Where To Go: Start at Governor’s Beach and run to the entrance of the Ritz-Carlton. Go up the steep hill leading up to the lobby and follow the road past Andiamo. Take a left onto the cart path. You’ll go through a tunnel (watch out for carts) and emerge onto the course. Run toward the tennis courts and once past them, continue straight. You will eventually come to a gravel road with sweeping views of the fairway. It’s now a straight shot all the way to the end of the course. Once you run out of path, you can turn around and run all the way back to Governor’s Beach.

Course Highlights: My favorite part of this run is charging up the hill to the Ritz lobby. (Woah, a hill in Cayman — no way!) I also look forward to jogging through the tunnel leading to the golf course; it ignites my adventurous spirit. Overall, this is quick, easy course that can easily be made longer or shorter depending on what you need for the day!

4. Governor’s Beach to the Marriott

Type of Course: Out & Back, BEACH RUN!

Where To Go: Start at Governor’s Beach and run east along the shore until you arrive at the Marriott. Here you will turn around and run all the way back. Currently the area of Coral Beach is washed out and requires a bit of knee-deep wading. It poses a nice little challenge — just be prepared to get a little wet. (I mean, you are running on the beach after all).

Course Highlights: This is the crème de la crème when it comes to running in Grand Cayman. The island vibes runneth over. No matter the time of day you’ll see people out walking, paddle boarding, and swimming. White sand + turquoise waters = the most picturesque 5k of your life! No question that this is one of the best running routes in Grand Cayman. Of course, you have to be someone who enjoys beach running…someone with relatively strong feet and ankles…

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman — Seven Mile Beach

5. Camana Bay Mangroves + CIS

Type of Course: Loop, Pavement + Gravel

Where To Go: Start in the heart of Camana Bay and head toward the “bridge to nowhere” that overlooks the marina. On the other side you’ll find a private tennis court and a trail that loops around the mangroves. There are a few places to turn around on this trail, but I take it out as far as I can and follow the trail back to the bridge. Once you’re across the bridge, turn left toward Cayman International School and loop around their athletic facilities. Once this loop is complete, run back to your starting spot and voilà — 5k complete!

Course Highlights: I love the mangrove loop because it’s very secluded. Nature has you surrounded — no high rise condos in sight! During this part of the route you will also be running on gravel. I don’t know about you but I love me some crunchy gravel sound effects while out on a jog!

6. Britannia

Type of Course: Loop, Pavement + Grass

Where To Go: Britannia is an abandoned golf course by Camana Bay than has shifted into quite an active green space. It is great for dog-walkers and joggers alike. Although the grass is still partially maintained, it gives off kind of a post-apocalyptic “I Am Legend” vibe. I dig it. For your run, start to the right of the Clubhouse and follow the cart path. You will see the ocean start to come into view. Run all the way to the water’s edge and drink in the view while catching your breath. Follow the path to continue the loop around the course. I will stop explaining here because the path has many twists and turns but that is the fun of this route! Once you have finished the whole course, you can run the length of the residential street of the Britannia Villas to make it a full 5k.

Course Highlights: I love this course! The aforementioned post-apocalyptic vibe makes it a super unique running area complete with ocean views and overgrown tropical lushness. The winding paths will keep you entertained as you zig-zag your way around the man-made ponds and rolling hills.

7. Smith’s Cove + South Sound

Type of Course: Out & Back, All pavement

Where To Go: Start at Smith’s Cove and head east on South Church St. Run all the way to the Tides (the most luxury, modern condo building you’ve ever seen) and then keep pushing a bit more. The actual turn around point should be “Tatenda,” a Luxury Cayman Villa. Gosh, lots of luxury on this island it seems… Tatenda is right at the intersection of South Sound Rd and “The Avenue.”

Course Highlights: If you’ve ever meandered through South Sound, you’ll understand why it makes such a gorgeous running route. Tall palms. lush greenery, waterfront mansions — OH MY! Unfortunately, South Sound is not the safest place to run in my opinion because of the lack of sidewalks, narrow roads, and reckless drivers. That being SAID, please do be careful. Maybe don’t run with your earbuds in…stay alert! You must just hear some Cayman parrots squawking in the distance.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about the 7 Best Running Routes in Grand Cayman. Alternating between these 7 different 5K routes helps to keep running exciting for me. Living on such a small island, you wouldn’t imagine there would be so much variety, but all it takes is a little creativity to design a new, exciting route. From this list, I would say my top 3 are definitely #1, #2, and #4. I encourage you to try a new course that you haven’t explored before. You are sure to see new things and maybe even new faces! Just be careful of the rogue golf balls, manic drivers, and sharp corals (if on the beach). You’ll be great! Happy Running!

RELATED RESOURCE: Cayman Active

MEET KATE

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a Wisconsin native who traded her snow boots for flip-flops in May of 2020 when I packed my whole life into two suitcases and moved to the Cayman Islands with my partner, Bryan. I created Island Diaries as a way to document my island adventures and share about the Cayman lifestyle. A Midwest girl at heart, I bring a fresh perspective to Caribbean life, serving as a guide for locals and tourists alike on all things Cayman Islands. Whether you are local to Cayman, planning to visit, or just curious about island life, I invite you to explore Island Diaries and let this site guide you on your next island adventure!