Camana Bay, Cayman Islands
Town in the Cayman Islands
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Camana Bay is a master planned waterfront community located near Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.[1] Spanning 685 acres the new urbanism development incorporates residential, commercial, educational, and recreational facilities, as well as five courtyards and a 75-foot observation tower that provides views of the island's landscape.[2][3] The walkable Camana Bay community includes retail stores, restaurants, cafes, a cinema, fitness centers, medical facilities, walking trails and a mix of residential options such as apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and duplexes.[4][5] Camana Bay also includes a harbour and marina offering boat and kayak access to the North Sound area.[6][7][1]
Camana Bay, Cayman Islands | |
|---|---|
Master Planned New Urbanism Community | |
| |
| Country | Cayman Islands |
| Overseas Territory | United Kingdom |
| Island | Grand Cayman |
| Established | 2007 |
| Area | |
• Total | 277 ha (685 acres) |
| Time zone | EST |
| Area code | +1-345 |
History
The concept for Camana Bay began in 1995, led by Cayman Islands-based billionaire businessman and investor Kenneth B. Dart. The initial planning phase lasted approximately ten years and included the cultivation of a plant nursery for the community's landscaping.[5][1]
Construction began in the mid-2000s, with Cayman International School opening in 2006 as the first completed building.[8][9] The school, a private institution serving nursery through grade 12, expanded in 2015 and again in 2021 through funding from the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation.[10]
The first commercial building, 62 Forum Lane, opened in November 2007, followed by the launch of various retail and entertainment venues. Since its inception, Camana Bay has grown to include a variety of dining, retail, and entertainment establishments.[5][11][6]
The development incorporates sustainability features such as solar panels, solar-powered lighting, rainwater cisterns for non-potable uses, LEED-certified air systems, and drought-tolerant landscaping.[12]
In 2018, a residential project known as OLEA was announced. Located south of the town center, OLEA consists of condominiums, townhomes, and duplexes.[13][14] Additional health infrastructure followed, including a radiotherapy center in 2021 equipped with the region's first Siemens TrueBeam Varian Linear Accelerator, and the 2024 opening of Health City Camana Bay, a 70,000-square-foot hospital.[15]
Accessibility
Camana Bay is accessible by car within approximately 10 minutes from George Town or Owen Roberts International Airport. A pedestrian bridge known as The Rise connects the development with Seven Mile Beach, providing a link from the Caribbean Sea to the North Sound. Boat access is available via the Camana Bay Harbour, and a ferry service connects the area to the North Side.[16][17][6][18]
Recognition
In 2010, Camana Bay received the Cayman Islands Governor's Award for Design and Construction Excellence.[19] In 2016, 18 Forum Lane received the same award and was recognized as the first commercial building in the Cayman Islands to receive LEED Gold certification.[20]
Several buildings within the Camana Bay community have been recognized with International Property Awards.[15]
In September 2025, Camana Bay was named a finalist for the 2025 Urban Land Institute Southeast Florida/Caribbean Vision Awards – Project of the Year.[21] The nomination highlighted Camana Bay's integrated design of residential, commercial, educational, and recreational spaces, with an emphasis on walkability, sustainability, and a Caribbean sense of identity.[21]