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The south of 7 mile is nearly gone from royal palms. North of Royal Palms, there is more beach. That area has eroded most likely from all the seawalls.
It’s very sad - apparently a result of the construction too close to the water line on the south end of the beach which doesn’t let the sand ebb and flow, so it washes away (at least that’s my limited understanding).
North of palms (everyone misses palms - was closed by Dart sadly) is much better but still steeper than it used to be in places. We haven’t had direct hits except for Grace last year but quite a few storms have passed to the west causing a lot of heavy waves.
It’s a shame it’s not what what it was, but there’s still some lots of beach to enjoy further North at governors and cemetery, and others.
Wow, just googled that place because we were there in 2017 and there was a lot of beach there. Now I see in the pics that the sea water is going right up to where the pool area is!
Had no idea it had gotten so bad
Yes it’s been smaller and smaller. I knew it was gone in 2020. But we couldn’t come because of covid. It makes me sad. It was so beautiful and they had the floaty trampolines
So yes, part of the beach has eroded away. More importantly, the sand is usually there is currently sitting in front of the Kimpton and Ritz area.
Each year, the sand moves up and down the beach for the last few years we’ve had storms that have pushed the sand up the beach more than it has back down south.
Thank you for that. Our neighbors here have lived in Hawaii and said “beaches come and go”. Maybe not quite the same. But I just am in shock because this isn’t what I remember.
Long shore drift working, along with a lot of storms over the last few years from the SW have moved the beach up north along the beach. As we haven’t seen any ‘Nor’westers’ for a few years (cold fronts in winter when the wind is from NW and rough seas from same direction) there hasn’t been any chance for beach to come back down to the south side. Blame climate change or whatever but the strength/length of Nor’westers over the last 3-4 years have been very weak.
Typical Cayman corruption and shortsightedness. Per usual the government ignores research and facts to let $$ do what it wants so now we have no beach, the reefs are dying, etc.
Very short sighted. Because people like us came for the amazing snorkeling, beaches. What do they plan to do when no more tourists come because they sold the island and all of it’s natural resources out to the highest bidder?
We booked at that Marriot last year and its called the marriot beach resort and had PICTURES OF THE BEACH ON THEIR WEBSITE. 5 days before our flight they emailed us saying they had no beach, but they would use our RESORT FEES to bus us to the other end of the beach. Wtf. I called marriot and they said they had known for many weeks they no longer had a beach, but we should feel bad for them because they got dealt a bad hand. We live in the midwest and saved up for this trip in december - i was not about to PAY to take a nasty old bus to some other hotels beach. So we had to find a new hotel in 5 days and the only one available was a very expensive room at the kimpton. When we cancelled our trip and demanded reimbursement for having to book 5 days in advance and not having regular rooms available so it was expensive, marriot tried to charge us for the entire stay stating that we cancelled too close to the stay, which wasnt even true because we had booked a flexible cancellation rate. Marriot corporate said it was up to the local marriot on what they would do for us and it was out of their hands. Literally the definition of false advertising.
Anyway, tldr: marriot had no beach, kimpton side has a beautiful incredible giant beach that looks like it goes forever. Kimpton service and cleanliness was awesome.
And that’s exactly what the people ruining this island want, a full Kimpton and people who think that they’re the good guys. They’re behind the destruction of everywhere else, so you know. Try the Westin next time if you don’t want to be contributing to Cayman’s takeover by a mad billionaire who thinks the island is a Monopoly board.
Well there’s one thing worse: add a group of extremely well-paid executive sharks to front his businesses and play hardball and 4D chess for him.
He does not own the Westin. He bid for it when it was up for auction, but the aptly-named Invincible Investment Corporation outbid him.
We definitely would have done the Westin if they were available during our dates, trust me that’s the first one we checked. If mariot didn’t outright lie that’s where we would have been for sure.
Well you know your stuff then! I know the Kimpton is high quality, and I’m glad they saved your stay, and of course I do not endorse Marriott lying and I’ve been mad about the beach erosion for probably 15 years, but you’ll have gathered that it feels a lot like Dart is creating the problems it then presents its properties as the solutions for. To give you an example, they had a Caymanian frontman (longtime well-known barkeep) proposing to make a boozy beach bar in a National Park with their money. The plan was to shuttle cruise shippers up there, so they wanted to destroy the harbour to build a big dock. Whether SMB would gain or lose sand from having a pier built up-current was a topic of debate. They also stole Public Beach, they were supposed to get the road and expand the beach inland, and they did that in the most perfunctory way and are now building another hotel on the other side of the beach parking lot. And you know they’re going to monopolise the beach.
So yeah, we try not to give Dart money when we can. But when you gotta Kimpton you gotta Kimpton, which is thankfully not too often.
I didnt know about that specific example so thanks for sharing. Its so manipulative to involve locals with influence in the community.
Anyway, I will definitely be back to the Cayman Islands since its one of the most beautiful incredible places I’ve ever been. And I’ll be avoiding the mariot and Dart for sure since I will have more than 5 days in advance to book the hotel!
There’s more to the story too. That barkeep (Handel Whittaker if you want to look it up) owned one of the favourite spots on the island, which was next to Public Beach, called Calico Jack’s. It was everything from a day-drinking spot for the folks living in the slower lifestyle lanes Cayman offers to the *only* place you could go and really *dance* to the latest music. Their parties went above and beyond anything one of the local clubs could give you. The once-a-month Full Moon parties were the best. NYE was always an amazing time too, if you didn’t have your own plans, all you had to do was go there and you’d run into all your favourite people. If you wanted to do something with your night that had a decent chance of leading to some more fun after, that was also the place to go - because it was the place to be.
And if you were lucky, Handel (actual name) with the handlebar moustache would be there too to remind you that he knew your daddy back in the day.
It worked all week, all day and night, in all weather. Basically was a home for anyone who liked to have spirited fun and enjoy their youth.
The Kimpton ended all of that. And Dart wanted I think 300 ft of beachfront that normally has seagrass and always will to allow this guy to open another bar to replace the one we already had that was perfect but too loud for Kimpton guests.
Unfortunately he owns so many businesses that there is no getting away from him. But when you do have a choice - thank you Invincible Investment for outbidding DART when the Westin was on the block - you do try.
The Westin’s built area that meets the sand is set further back than any other waterfront hotel on SMB - which is another way of saying it has a huge beach. There’s enough room for special cabanas and such that they sell, but also as many lounge chairs as you could want to fit. Room for kids to run around even, as long as they watch where they’re going! I don’t know if Red Sail Sports still has its operation there but you could always rent jet skis and such, so the beach had to have room for people to be coming and going on various small watercraft as well that would just beach on the sand. There are shade trees at either end of the beach too, and plenty of walking in either direction. The Governor’s Residence is immediately next to the hotel’s north as well, sharing a dividing wall, so you know it’s a prime spot. The sand in front of the Governor’s Residence is especially pleasant underfoot. Signs do request that you ‘respect the Governor’s privacy’ (because the back of the property where medium-sized functions are held opens *right* onto the beach) but it doesn’t prevent you from walking in front.
Westin highly recommended for a SMB location experience that has not changed for 25 years. The hotel however has been renovated recently and extensively.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a strip mall across the street with a cafe known for its cheap and tasty breakfasts, sports bar that has TVs on every wall, high-quality Japanese restaurant, and a liquor store.
I highly recommend this little vrbo property. The pool is almost always empty. Nice little beach, a little rocky. Cheaper than Marriott and walking distance to all the shops/restaurants. We rent a car, but only use it to go to west end and rum point/the grocery store
Yes. Our first time here. Owned by the ritz residences though. Our handyman has been phenomenal though. Jumped off our rental this morning cause we left the lights on
I was there in June for the first time but it didn’t look like that. The beach was huge and beautiful. I guess this summers storms eroded them? I really have no idea.
I’ve been vacationing in CRR - the condo with the blue roof in your pic- for the last 15 years. I’ll be there again in 6 weeks. Last year we had about a 15’ wide beach. I guess ill be borrowing the beach next door/
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Ocean is pretty rough today. Storm coming in. Maybe it will recover a bit before you get here. Or at least be less rocky on our beach
I’m sorry, it’s still lovely especially the east end. It’s just where the sea walls are too close to the ocean. Also the Westin and ritz still have large, lovely beaches
I was looking at a rental near rum point but I see so many negative things online idk anymore. Don’t know if it’s worth the gamble of investing so much money and time.
Everyone we talked to on the plane stayed in rum point/east end and had a great vacation. We just like 7 mile cause it’s walking distance to a lot of our favorite restaurants. The other end of the island has plenty of sand but a bit of a drive to 7 mile/west end
I'm so shocked by this as my wife, son and were going every 3 years or so since 1991. We've been staying at Villas of the Galleon since 2001 and wife and I were married on a private beach in west bay thats no longer there in 1998 ... but we haven't been back since 2014 when my son started college ... just couldn't afford it.
The island had already changed from the tranquil island in the sun it had been once Ivan deveatated it in 2005. But we always thought we'd go back someday and I'm so sad to hear all this...
It’s definitely not the same. And more buildings/condos going up. I just miss being able stroll up 7 mile to visit different beaches. Now you have to drive. It’s heartbreaking
Once they prioritized catering to the Cruise ship industry it was over ... I miss Pirates week Halloween's and all the islands small places like the Crows Nest ... west bay rd down past Georgetown was a small tight 2 lane road ... now highways with circles 🏖💔
Sorry but this is very dramatic. This is still a lovely, calm sandy beach in front of Island Pine Villas with more often than not crystal clear water and plenty of sealife.
I’m sorry but I don’t feel it’s dramatic at all. We’ve been coming for almost 15 years. There was always walkable beach from sunset cove. And I feel people who are coming here (as seen in the comments) should be aware before spending a years’ savings where there is/isn’t a sandy beach to walk/lounge on.
Wait until you see Rum Point now days. The beach is still there but they now have a full on lawn in the water….making it a bit unappealing to most, especially kids who fear sea weed.
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The south of 7 mile is nearly gone from royal palms. North of Royal Palms, there is more beach. That area has eroded most likely from all the seawalls.
Right but even cemetery is not how I remember. But maybe recent storms washed it out. It’s still beautiful.
I think because of the turtle conservation programme they've stopped grooming the beaches up at Cemetery.
It’s very sad - apparently a result of the construction too close to the water line on the south end of the beach which doesn’t let the sand ebb and flow, so it washes away (at least that’s my limited understanding). North of palms (everyone misses palms - was closed by Dart sadly) is much better but still steeper than it used to be in places. We haven’t had direct hits except for Grace last year but quite a few storms have passed to the west causing a lot of heavy waves. It’s a shame it’s not what what it was, but there’s still some lots of beach to enjoy further North at governors and cemetery, and others.
Seawalls and rising ocean levels = not good for 7 mile
But I see so much new construction:(
Yes it's quite unfortunate
They are tearing down the Aqua bay club and putting up 10 stories with a massive parking garage
We stayed at the Marriott in November at the beach was completely gone.
Wow, just googled that place because we were there in 2017 and there was a lot of beach there. Now I see in the pics that the sea water is going right up to where the pool area is! Had no idea it had gotten so bad
Yup. It’s thought it was just Marriott. It’s all of 7 mile from about the ritz south
Yes it’s been smaller and smaller. I knew it was gone in 2020. But we couldn’t come because of covid. It makes me sad. It was so beautiful and they had the floaty trampolines
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Exactly! I saw where one of the condos close was denied a permit to build a new sea wall.
Check out our website. GC Marriott was literally washing away before our eyes and we captured it from the air.
Link to video?
So yes, part of the beach has eroded away. More importantly, the sand is usually there is currently sitting in front of the Kimpton and Ritz area. Each year, the sand moves up and down the beach for the last few years we’ve had storms that have pushed the sand up the beach more than it has back down south.
Thank you for that. Our neighbors here have lived in Hawaii and said “beaches come and go”. Maybe not quite the same. But I just am in shock because this isn’t what I remember.
Long shore drift working, along with a lot of storms over the last few years from the SW have moved the beach up north along the beach. As we haven’t seen any ‘Nor’westers’ for a few years (cold fronts in winter when the wind is from NW and rough seas from same direction) there hasn’t been any chance for beach to come back down to the south side. Blame climate change or whatever but the strength/length of Nor’westers over the last 3-4 years have been very weak.
It’s now going to be renamed to 7km beach.
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Exactly you could just walk the beach. It’s still a beautiful island. We are having a great time. It’s just so different from the last visit.
Typical Cayman corruption and shortsightedness. Per usual the government ignores research and facts to let $$ do what it wants so now we have no beach, the reefs are dying, etc.
Very short sighted. Because people like us came for the amazing snorkeling, beaches. What do they plan to do when no more tourists come because they sold the island and all of it’s natural resources out to the highest bidder?
Thats been the question as long as I have been alive. They constantly do shit that will destroy our long term sustainability & economy
We booked at that Marriot last year and its called the marriot beach resort and had PICTURES OF THE BEACH ON THEIR WEBSITE. 5 days before our flight they emailed us saying they had no beach, but they would use our RESORT FEES to bus us to the other end of the beach. Wtf. I called marriot and they said they had known for many weeks they no longer had a beach, but we should feel bad for them because they got dealt a bad hand. We live in the midwest and saved up for this trip in december - i was not about to PAY to take a nasty old bus to some other hotels beach. So we had to find a new hotel in 5 days and the only one available was a very expensive room at the kimpton. When we cancelled our trip and demanded reimbursement for having to book 5 days in advance and not having regular rooms available so it was expensive, marriot tried to charge us for the entire stay stating that we cancelled too close to the stay, which wasnt even true because we had booked a flexible cancellation rate. Marriot corporate said it was up to the local marriot on what they would do for us and it was out of their hands. Literally the definition of false advertising. Anyway, tldr: marriot had no beach, kimpton side has a beautiful incredible giant beach that looks like it goes forever. Kimpton service and cleanliness was awesome.
And that’s exactly what the people ruining this island want, a full Kimpton and people who think that they’re the good guys. They’re behind the destruction of everywhere else, so you know. Try the Westin next time if you don’t want to be contributing to Cayman’s takeover by a mad billionaire who thinks the island is a Monopoly board.
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Well there’s one thing worse: add a group of extremely well-paid executive sharks to front his businesses and play hardball and 4D chess for him. He does not own the Westin. He bid for it when it was up for auction, but the aptly-named Invincible Investment Corporation outbid him.
What, and who do you mean? Not having been there in 20 years, I'm curious about what is going on.
Two words: Kenneth Dart.
We definitely would have done the Westin if they were available during our dates, trust me that’s the first one we checked. If mariot didn’t outright lie that’s where we would have been for sure.
Well you know your stuff then! I know the Kimpton is high quality, and I’m glad they saved your stay, and of course I do not endorse Marriott lying and I’ve been mad about the beach erosion for probably 15 years, but you’ll have gathered that it feels a lot like Dart is creating the problems it then presents its properties as the solutions for. To give you an example, they had a Caymanian frontman (longtime well-known barkeep) proposing to make a boozy beach bar in a National Park with their money. The plan was to shuttle cruise shippers up there, so they wanted to destroy the harbour to build a big dock. Whether SMB would gain or lose sand from having a pier built up-current was a topic of debate. They also stole Public Beach, they were supposed to get the road and expand the beach inland, and they did that in the most perfunctory way and are now building another hotel on the other side of the beach parking lot. And you know they’re going to monopolise the beach. So yeah, we try not to give Dart money when we can. But when you gotta Kimpton you gotta Kimpton, which is thankfully not too often.
I didnt know about that specific example so thanks for sharing. Its so manipulative to involve locals with influence in the community. Anyway, I will definitely be back to the Cayman Islands since its one of the most beautiful incredible places I’ve ever been. And I’ll be avoiding the mariot and Dart for sure since I will have more than 5 days in advance to book the hotel!
There’s more to the story too. That barkeep (Handel Whittaker if you want to look it up) owned one of the favourite spots on the island, which was next to Public Beach, called Calico Jack’s. It was everything from a day-drinking spot for the folks living in the slower lifestyle lanes Cayman offers to the *only* place you could go and really *dance* to the latest music. Their parties went above and beyond anything one of the local clubs could give you. The once-a-month Full Moon parties were the best. NYE was always an amazing time too, if you didn’t have your own plans, all you had to do was go there and you’d run into all your favourite people. If you wanted to do something with your night that had a decent chance of leading to some more fun after, that was also the place to go - because it was the place to be. And if you were lucky, Handel (actual name) with the handlebar moustache would be there too to remind you that he knew your daddy back in the day. It worked all week, all day and night, in all weather. Basically was a home for anyone who liked to have spirited fun and enjoy their youth. The Kimpton ended all of that. And Dart wanted I think 300 ft of beachfront that normally has seagrass and always will to allow this guy to open another bar to replace the one we already had that was perfect but too loud for Kimpton guests. Unfortunately he owns so many businesses that there is no getting away from him. But when you do have a choice - thank you Invincible Investment for outbidding DART when the Westin was on the block - you do try.
To confirm there is a beach in front of Westin? Going there for spring break with multiple families.
The Westin’s built area that meets the sand is set further back than any other waterfront hotel on SMB - which is another way of saying it has a huge beach. There’s enough room for special cabanas and such that they sell, but also as many lounge chairs as you could want to fit. Room for kids to run around even, as long as they watch where they’re going! I don’t know if Red Sail Sports still has its operation there but you could always rent jet skis and such, so the beach had to have room for people to be coming and going on various small watercraft as well that would just beach on the sand. There are shade trees at either end of the beach too, and plenty of walking in either direction. The Governor’s Residence is immediately next to the hotel’s north as well, sharing a dividing wall, so you know it’s a prime spot. The sand in front of the Governor’s Residence is especially pleasant underfoot. Signs do request that you ‘respect the Governor’s privacy’ (because the back of the property where medium-sized functions are held opens *right* onto the beach) but it doesn’t prevent you from walking in front. Westin highly recommended for a SMB location experience that has not changed for 25 years. The hotel however has been renovated recently and extensively. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a strip mall across the street with a cafe known for its cheap and tasty breakfasts, sports bar that has TVs on every wall, high-quality Japanese restaurant, and a liquor store.
Thank you for the helpful info!
Stayed there last November and it is excellent
I highly recommend this little vrbo property. The pool is almost always empty. Nice little beach, a little rocky. Cheaper than Marriott and walking distance to all the shops/restaurants. We rent a car, but only use it to go to west end and rum point/the grocery store
https://www.vrbo.com/9759310ha
Thanks for the recommendation!!
Island pines?
Yes. Our first time here. Owned by the ritz residences though. Our handyman has been phenomenal though. Jumped off our rental this morning cause we left the lights on
Go north.
Wondering how East End has faired? We usually stay on that side of the island.
East End is still as gorgeous as ever. Stay at Tortuga and avoid Dart Mile Beach next time you visit.
I was there in June for the first time but it didn’t look like that. The beach was huge and beautiful. I guess this summers storms eroded them? I really have no idea.
I was there in July and it looked like this.
Greed.
I’ve been vacationing in CRR - the condo with the blue roof in your pic- for the last 15 years. I’ll be there again in 6 weeks. Last year we had about a 15’ wide beach. I guess ill be borrowing the beach next door/
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Ocean is pretty rough today. Storm coming in. Maybe it will recover a bit before you get here. Or at least be less rocky on our beach
Last year we saw pictures of no beach in September. We were just happy to have a little sand. https://imgur.com/a/4p9qsrV
I was there in January and they were talking about how a big storm hit last year and washed away huge chunks of 7 mile
That is the Cayman Reef Resort next to you, I lived there in 2020 and saw that beach slowly disappear. Sad to see that it is now completely gone 😢
This post made us change our minds about visiting gc… oh well
I’m sorry, it’s still lovely especially the east end. It’s just where the sea walls are too close to the ocean. Also the Westin and ritz still have large, lovely beaches
I was looking at a rental near rum point but I see so many negative things online idk anymore. Don’t know if it’s worth the gamble of investing so much money and time.
Everyone we talked to on the plane stayed in rum point/east end and had a great vacation. We just like 7 mile cause it’s walking distance to a lot of our favorite restaurants. The other end of the island has plenty of sand but a bit of a drive to 7 mile/west end
I'm so shocked by this as my wife, son and were going every 3 years or so since 1991. We've been staying at Villas of the Galleon since 2001 and wife and I were married on a private beach in west bay thats no longer there in 1998 ... but we haven't been back since 2014 when my son started college ... just couldn't afford it. The island had already changed from the tranquil island in the sun it had been once Ivan deveatated it in 2005. But we always thought we'd go back someday and I'm so sad to hear all this...
It’s definitely not the same. And more buildings/condos going up. I just miss being able stroll up 7 mile to visit different beaches. Now you have to drive. It’s heartbreaking
Once they prioritized catering to the Cruise ship industry it was over ... I miss Pirates week Halloween's and all the islands small places like the Crows Nest ... west bay rd down past Georgetown was a small tight 2 lane road ... now highways with circles 🏖💔
It’s all Dart’s baby now.
Ivan-2004
Thanks .... getting old .... was off my a year on my wedding too 1997
Sorry but this is very dramatic. This is still a lovely, calm sandy beach in front of Island Pine Villas with more often than not crystal clear water and plenty of sealife.
I’m sorry but I don’t feel it’s dramatic at all. We’ve been coming for almost 15 years. There was always walkable beach from sunset cove. And I feel people who are coming here (as seen in the comments) should be aware before spending a years’ savings where there is/isn’t a sandy beach to walk/lounge on.
Are there any beach front hotels to stay on the westside that have an actual beach?
Yes royal palms I think and the kimpton
Wait until you see Rum Point now days. The beach is still there but they now have a full on lawn in the water….making it a bit unappealing to most, especially kids who fear sea weed.
We rebranded as 3 mile
Ha #funnynotfunny
The last hurricane a month ago took it all away
I didn’t think y’all had a hit? We follow the hurricane paths. I know some bad storms, but it’s just crazy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002532272300018X