Mastic Trail & Other National Trust Guided Tours

The Mastic Reserve on Grand Cayman protects part of the largest contiguous area of untouched, old growth dry forest remaining on the island. This area and other similar expanses of forest in Cayman are of international significance representing some of the last remaining examples of the Caribbean's dry, subtropical, semi deciduous dry forest, which have been the target of particularly intense deforestation throughout the West Indies.

The Mastic Trail is 2.3 miles long and it should take approximately two and a half to three hours to walk it. We strongly recommend taking an informative guided tour with The National Trust who will bring the trail to life for you.

The tour guides will be able to point out fascinating animal life that you otherwise might miss such as parrots, hermit crabs, reptiles and may bird species. The guides also have interesting anecdotes about the geological history, the trees, plants, orchids, birds and the various ecosystems, including the impact of Hurricane Ivan.

Guided hikes with a trained naturalist are available and need to be booked in advance.

A tour of the Blue Iguana Conservation’s captive breeding facility offers an up-close-and-personal view of the Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi), Grand Cayman’s largest native land animal. The tour introduces guests to some of the programme’s star breeders and shares the fascinating tale of how the programme began in 1990, with only 30 dedicated Blue Iguanas, under the direction of conservationist Fred Burton. Today, the breeding facility is home to approximately 100 Blue Iguanas of varying ages, many over five-feet long and in excess of 25 pounds.

1) Self Guided Tours - open daily from 10am-4pm (last tour at 3.30pm) and the cost is CI$20/USD$25 for adults and CI$10/USD$12.50 for children aged 3-12 years. You purchase tickets at the Visitor Centre of the Botanic Park. General admission to the QEII Botanic Park includes entrance to the Blue Iguana facility.

2) Guided Tours with the BIC Warden - Guided tours with a BIC Warden are available through pre-booking. Contact: tours@nationaltrust.org.ky

3) Blue Iguana Warden Experience - You can join the Blue Iguana Conservation (BIC) team for a half-day VIP experience at the conservation facility! Get exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Grand Cayman’s famous and endemic blue iguana under the supervision of the BIC wardens. Join them on their morning routine to receive an insider’s experience into what it takes to conserve these amazing lizards.

You will be involved in various activities such as:

a) Exploring sites around the island to learn about iguana diets and collect some food plants for them

b) Cleaning their semi-wild habitats and learning where their favourite basking spots are

c) Preparing food and feeding the iguanas (the iguanas love this bit!)

d) Learning about our conservation breeding efforts and have special access to the new nursery

e) Finding out about the conservation fieldwork that is carried out by the BIC team

f) Accompanying the wardens on one of their public tours where you will hear about the history, our partners and the continuing success of the project.

The cost is CI$92/US$115 per person and this does not include entry to the Botanic Park. Entry to the Botanic Park is an additional charge. The tour taxes approximately 3-4 hours and the minimum age 16. Anyone younger can come along but must be accompanied by an adult. Please email: tours@nationaltrust.org.ky or call (345) 749 1132 to make a booking.

Explore one of the birth places of education and religion in the Cayman Islands and walk in the footsteps of early settlers. View a collection of interesting historical artifacts and learn how the residents lived day to day in the 1800’s. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the house and the grounds with a knowledgeable guide who will take you back in time to when Bodden Town was the Island’s first Capital. There is a gift shop on-site and all proceeds go to support the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. The Mission House is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm, and it is located on Gunn Bay Road, Bodden Town. The cost is CI$10/US$12.50 for adults, and CI$4/US$5 for children. The tour takes approximately 30-40 minutes and you must make a reservation. Private tours are available on request and the also host monthly local dish cooking classes which are always a huge hit (and sell out quickly). For reservations and more information, contact tours@nationaltrust.org.ky.