If you’re looking at a map of the Caribbean, you might actually miss them. Seriously. The Cayman Islands are tiny specks in the vast blue between Cuba and Jamaica. People often talk about "Cayman" as if it’s one single place, but it's a trio. When you ask how big is Cayman Island, you’re usually talking about Grand Cayman, the "big" one. But even "big" is a relative term here.
Grand Cayman is roughly 22 miles long. You can drive from one end to the other in about an hour, assuming the chickens aren't crossing the road in Bodden Town. It’s about 8 miles wide at its fattest point. Total land area? Just 76 square miles. To put that in perspective, the city of Orlando is about 119 square miles. So, the most famous island in the chain is significantly smaller than the home of Disney World.
The Total Footprint of the Territory
When you add up all three islands—Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman—the total land mass hits about 102 square miles. It’s minuscule. Washington, D.C. is roughly 68 square miles, so the entire country is only about 1.5 times the size of the U.S. capital.
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The three islands aren't exactly neighbors, either.
Grand Cayman sits all by itself.
The "Sister Islands," Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, are about 89 miles to the northeast.
You can’t just swim between them.
Most people take a tiny "puddle jumper" plane, which is an experience in itself because you’re basically flying in a tin can with a view of the clearest water you'll ever see.
Breaking Down the Three Islands
It helps to look at them individually because they feel like completely different worlds. Honestly, the vibe shift is jarring.
Grand Cayman (76 square miles)
This is where the action is. It holds the capital, George Town, and the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. Fun fact: Seven Mile Beach isn't actually seven miles long. It’s closer to 6.3 miles, but "Six-and-a-bit Mile Beach" doesn't have the same ring to it. Most of the 88,000+ people living in the territory are crammed onto this island.
Cayman Brac (14.7 square miles)
This one is about 12 miles long and just over a mile wide. It’s famous for "The Bluff," a massive limestone ridge that rises up to 141 feet. That might not sound high, but in a country where the average elevation is basically "sea level," it feels like Everest.
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Little Cayman (11 square miles)
This is the baby of the family. It’s roughly 10 miles long and a mile wide. There are more iguanas here than people. Only about 150 to 200 permanent residents live on Little Cayman. It is the definition of "getting away from it all."
Why the Size Actually Matters for Travelers
The size of the islands dictates everything about how you spend your time. On Grand Cayman, the density is real. Because the island is so small and flat, there’s no "hidden" interior. You’re always near the coast.
One thing that surprises people is the lack of fresh water. There are no rivers. Zero. The islands are basically chunks of coral limestone sticking out of the ocean. This is actually a good thing for divers. Since there’s no river runoff dumping silt and mud into the ocean, the water stays insanely clear. Visibility can hit 100 feet or more on a good day.
How big is Cayman Island in terms of its "height"?
Not very.
Most of Grand Cayman is only a few feet above sea level.
If you’re hiking the Mastic Trail, you’re looking at tropical wetlands and old-growth forest, but you won't be climbing any mountains.
A Land of Hidden Depths
While the land area is small, the underwater "area" is massive. The islands sit on the Cayman Ridge, an underwater mountain range. Just off the coast, the ocean floor drops away into the Cayman Trough. It's one of the deepest parts of the world's oceans, reaching depths of over 25,000 feet.
It’s a weird contrast. You can stand on a beach that is 3 feet above sea level, and just a mile or two offshore, the water under you is four miles deep.
Practical Space and Logistics
- Driving: You drive on the left. Because the islands are so narrow, there are only a few main roads. Traffic in George Town during rush hour is surprisingly bad for such a small place.
- Walking: You can walk around downtown George Town easily. Seven Mile Beach is also walkable, but if you want to go to Rum Point or the East End, you definitely need a car.
- Expansion: There isn't any. The islands are limited by their geography. This has led to high real estate prices because, well, they aren't making any more land.
Getting the Scale Right
If you’re planning a trip and wondering if three days is enough, the answer is: it depends. You can "see" the whole of Grand Cayman in a day if you just stay in a car. But if you want to explore the caves of Cayman Brac or dive the Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman, the small size becomes an advantage. Everything is accessible. You aren't wasting hours in transit.
Actionable Next Steps:
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- Map your route: If you’re staying on Grand Cayman, realize that the West Bay and George Town areas are where the crowds are. If you want space, head to the East End or North Side.
- Book the Sister Islands early: Flights to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman on Cayman Airways Express use small planes with limited seats. They fill up fast.
- Check the cruise ship schedule: Because George Town is small, three or four cruise ships in port can double the population of the town in an hour. Check the port authority website to pick a "quiet" day for your shopping or boat trips.
- Rent a car, not a bike: While the island is small, the heat and humidity make biking across the island a brutal task for anyone who isn't a pro athlete.
The Cayman Islands might be small on the map, but the density of experiences—from swimming with stingrays to exploring deep-sea walls—makes them feel much larger than their 102 square miles.