Planning a vacation to the Cayman Islands? You might be thinking it is not worth bringing a checked bag since you do not need a ton of clothes. But for our family of four, one checked bag is perfect and justifies its own cost. Everything on the island is more expensive, and Cayman is no exception. Plus, with a checked bag you can bring full-sized bottles instead of being stuck with 3oz carry-on limits. Some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you.
6. Deep Woods Off
In the evenings, there is about an hour when mosquitoes are vicious in the Cayman Islands. DEET is the only substance tested to work effectively against these pests. Aerosols are not permitted in luggage, so be sure to pack the spray bottle type. The price at home is usually less than half of what we found on the island.
5. Mask, snorkel, and travel fins
The Cayman Islands have excellent snorkeling right from shore. Renting gear can be costly, with daily rental fees often equaling the purchase price of your own set. The first time we visited, we did not pack fins and we regretted it. There is so much to see, and fins mean you can double or triple the distance you can safely swim from shore.
4. Packable beach chair
While the beautiful beaches in the Cayman Islands are free to access, resorts often charge high fees for chair rentals. We fit two of these in our checked luggage along with all our snorkel gear and everything else on this list.
3. Full-size reef-safe sunscreen
Sunscreen in Cayman can cost double or triple the mainland price. Our recommended reef-safe sunscreen has a non-greasy feel that makes reapplying less annoying. The sun in Cayman is intense — even on an overcast day we sunburn quickly without protection.
2. Underwater camera
Touch screens just do not work well below the surface. The Cayman Islands are known for stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life. We bought our underwater camera three years ago and have used it on four vacations since. It still works and takes great pictures.
1. Inflatable pool float hammocks
Perfect for lounging in the calm waters off Seven Mile Beach or floating in the pool. They pack small, inflate fast, and feel like a luxury that costs almost nothing.
Bonus: clear-bottom inflatable boat for kids
If you are traveling with toddlers or kids under seven, a clear-bottom inflatable boat lets them sit comfortably beside you while you snorkel. Great way to share the experience and enjoy the many shallow reefs not far from shore.
Our bottom line
One checked bag for the family, packed with the right items, pays for itself on the first beach day in Cayman.
For the rest of the trip planning, our Grand Cayman planning hacks cover flights, where to stay, food costs, and a 10-day itinerary. We also wrote separately about why we rent a car on Grand Cayman.