Camana Bay, 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]

Contents

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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "History of Camana Bay". Explore Cayman. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  2. ↑ Sweet, Joni. "What's The Best Kept Secret On Grand Cayman?". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  3. ↑ Kent, Jonathan (2020-02-14). "Dart: billionaire's business drives Cayman's development boom" . Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  4. ↑ "This Stunning Caribbean Island Combines an Incredible Food Scene With White-sand Beaches — and It's Easy to Get to From the U.S." Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  5. 1 2 3 "Camana Bay celebrates a decade of development". 10 November 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Akkam, Anahid (2025-02-15). "The Cayman Islands' Family-Friendly Paradise Is A Walkable Waterfront Town With Luxury Retail". Islands. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  7. ↑ Forbes, Jemima. "The 17 top things to do in Grand Cayman". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  8. ↑ "Cayman International School opens". Cayman Compass. 8 September 2006.
  9. ↑ "Cayman International School upgrades and expands". Cayman Compass. 31 January 2016.
  10. ↑ "Cayman International School plans $45 million expansion". Cayman Compass. 10 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "CIS marks a decade at Camana Bay". Cayman Compass. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  12. ↑ Markoff, Alan (2016-01-29). "Environmentally friendly office building opens at Camana Bay". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2025-05-01. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
  13. ↑ Wittaker, James (1 November 2018). "Dart launches first Camana Bay community for home buyers". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  14. ↑ Silva, Ken (2019-04-28). "Work starts on Camana Bay residential community". Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
  15. 1 2 "Dart plans 'health hub' in Camana Bay - Cayman Islands Headline News". Cayman News Service. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2025-10-09.
  16. ↑ Lawless, Katherine (2025-01-10). "Swim with stingrays and sea turtles on Grand Cayman, a tropical haven". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  17. ↑ "Starbucks opens in Camana Bay". Camana Bay. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  18. ↑ "New ferry service for North Sound - Cayman Compass". Cayman Compass. 2016-07-11. Archived from the original on 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  19. ↑ Markoff, Alan (7 December 2010). "Old and new get top honours for design and construction". Cayman Compass. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "Another Financial Servicer Takes Space at Camana Bay". benefitspro.com. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
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