Best Historical Attractions in the Cayman Islands You Must Visit

By Lindsey Turnbull on 30th March, 2026

The Cayman Islands are best known for their pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, but beyond the coastline lies a rich and fascinating past waiting to be explored. From historic landmarks and heritage sites to cultural museums and preserved architecture, the islands offer a deeper insight into their unique history and traditions.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking to experience a different side of the Caribbean, these historical attractions in the Cayman Islands provide an engaging journey through time.

Pedro St. James Historic Site

The Pedro St. James National Historic Site is a beautiful estate with a Great House that is the oldest surviving stone structure in the Cayman Islands. Known as the “birthplace of democracy”, it was here that a meeting in 1831 took place to form Cayman’s first elected parliament. In 1835, a proclamation ending slavery in the British Empire was heard. Surviving hurricanes, fires, vandalism, and rumours of being both jinxed and haunted, it stands today, in its restored state, as a dynamic piece of Caymanian heritage.

Explore the Great House and 18th Century artefacts. Absorb the panoramic ocean views, and seven landscaped acres. Enjoy a 3-D multi sensory movie that will transport you back in time, and take a guided tour by a local, for a truly authentic experience.

Location: Pedro Castle Road, Savannah, KY1-1501, Cayman Islands

Scuba is Celebrated!

The dive industry is incredibly important to the Cayman Islands, dating back to 1957 when Bob Soto opened the first dive shop on Grand Cayman. We currently have more than 40 operators and 365 sites throughout the three islands, marked with moorings. The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) was established by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism in 2000 and honours individuals from Cayman and around the world who have contributed to the success and growth of recreational scuba diving.

An incredible new museum dedicated to the ISDHF has been established at Pedro St James and is Cayman’s newest attraction, thereby solidifying the Cayman Islands as an integral part of the global scuba diving landscape. The ISDHF showcases rare artifacts from the history of scuba diving and has displayed them in traveling exhibitions throughout the years, but the artifacts now have a permanent home in this
wonderful museum.

Underwater Photography: La Photographie Sous Marin

A very rare book by Boutan, published in 1900, in which he describes his underwater experiments and events at the Arago Marine Laboratory at Banyuls sur-Mer, on France’s Mediterranean coast. The book is considered the foundation of all underwater photography books that followed.

Hans Hass Movie Camera

In 1949 Hans Hass filmed his classic movie Under the Red Sea with this camera. Kurt Schaefer, who had collaborated with Hass on earlier cameras, built the camera specifically for Hass in Austria. Under The Red Sea won the top international film prize for a long documentary at the 1951 Venice Film Festival. It is considered to be the first full length feature film of the post WWII scuba diving era.

Sea Net Wooden Fins

The Sea Net Company was located in Los Angeles, California and during the 1940s and 1950s was an early manufacturer of free diving and spear fishing equipment. This equipment was in demand as the
growing community of post WWII divers went in search of food from the sea. The company manufactured spear guns, rubber masks, and fins, but also these very unusual wooden fins.

Cultural icon in Savannah

The Old Savannah Schoolhouse is the last standing ‘one room schoolhouse’ in the Cayman Islands. It opened its doors on 12th September, 1940, and served the community up until The term ‘one room schoolhouse’ is derived from the fact that both younger and older students would have been taught
in the same space. It is now cared for by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

Location: Shamrock Road in Savannah, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

Heroes in George Town

To gain more of a historical insight of the Cayman Islands, the centre of George Town is well worth
a visit. At its heart lies Heroes Square, which has some thought-provoking monuments and statues, including a monument called ‘Tradition’ created to honour all the seafaring Caymanians who had lost
their lives for their family and country.

Fort George is another fascinating spot, where you can learn about how Caymanians have protected their islands over the years. Enjoy beautiful artwork by local artist John Broad, whose murals tell of Cayman’s historical development and the bravery of its people.

Location: 12 Albert Panton St, George Town, Cayman Islands

Visit HELL in paradise!

There is really a place called Hell…in Cayman’s paradise! Located in the district of West Bay, the Hell Geological Site is a unique natural wonder of rugged blackened limestone outcropping. Visitors have been flocking here for decades, for bragging rights that they have “been to Hell and back” or simply have taken someone’s advice to “go to Hell!”

Estimated to be 10 to 15 million years old, Hell is a rare geological phenomenon, made from dolomite limestone when the entire island was immersed underwater and alive with fish, coral and shells. The fossils of these organisms can be seen embedded in the rocks. The black colour and shape of the rocks at Hell come from microscopic organisms that lived on the rocks. A postcard dispatched from Hell Post
Office is a good way to share a memorable visit.

While the Cayman Islands are best known for their stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, their rich history and cultural heritage offer an equally rewarding experience. From the historic significance of Pedro St. James to the evolution of scuba diving and unique geological wonders like Hell, these attractions reveal a deeper side of the islands. Exploring these historical attractions in the Cayman Islands allows visitors to connect with the stories, traditions, and people that have shaped this Caribbean destination, offering a more meaningful and memorable journey beyond the shoreline.