Written by Oasis Land Development | Cayman Islands Land Specialists
Last updated: 23 January 2026

On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Cayman Brac reached a milestone in its cruise history with the successful inaugural visit of the four-masted sailing vessel Star Clipper. The luxury tall ship brought 104 passengers and 72 crew members to the island, marking the return of boutique cruise tourism to the Sister Islands. This was the first visit of its kind since the Star Clipper's sister ship, Star Flyer, made its last call to Cayman Brac on 24 January 2018, after more than a dozen visits between 2014 and 2018.

A Festive Welcome at Scott's Dock

The atmosphere at Cemetery Pier and Scott's Dock was festive as passengers and crew came ashore via tender boats. According to the Cayman Compass, residents gathered to see the ship offshore, take photographs, and share in what many described as a proud day for the island.

Guests were greeted with a craft and vendor market organised by the Cayman Brac Heritage House, where local artisans showcased handmade goods, traditional crafts, and locally produced items. According to vendors and organizers, demand was strong throughout the day, with many stalls selling out entirely. An information table, delivered through a partnership between the Department of District Administration and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism's Cayman Brac Office, provided guests with guidance on attractions, activities, and transport options.

Visitors enjoyed live music, local food, organised tours, and beach transfers, while others chose to rent cars and scooters to explore the island independently. Snorkelling in Cayman Brac's clear coastal waters proved particularly popular among those looking to experience the island's marine life first-hand.

Boutique Tourism Returns to Cayman Brac

The Star Clipper is a 115-metre sailing vessel that evokes a bygone era of luxury maritime travel. Unlike large cruise ships that bring thousands of passengers, the Star Clipper carries significantly fewer guests, resulting in a more manageable impact on the island's infrastructure and services.

Chevala Burke, District Administration's marketing and promotions manager and on-island cruise coordinator, described the visit as a clear success. "This was truly an amazing and positive experience for everyone involved," Burke said. "From the warm welcome by our community, to the collaboration among vendors, musicians, tour operators, shipping agent and government partners, the day flowed beautifully."

Official Response and Community Reaction

The official welcome was led by Nickolas DaCosta, Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman. "It was a pleasure to welcome the guests and crew of the Star Clipper to Cayman Brac," DaCosta said. "I was very pleased with how smoothly the operations ran and with the level of collaboration across our agencies and community partners."

District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts confirmed the community's enthusiasm for the visit. "The visit was much appreciated by the vendors on the Brac and the community at large, and from all accounts it definitely appears the visitors onboard the Star Clipper truly enjoyed their time here," Tibbetts told the Cayman Compass. He added that residents look forward to more such calls becoming a regular occurrence.

Cayman Brac Port Manager Myra Ryan-Ebanks highlighted both the economic and logistical success of the call. "All of the guests came off the ship and they had a great time," she said. "They purchased absolutely everything that the vendors had on offer, and both the set-up for the arrival of the visitors and the breakdown at the end of the day went extremely smoothly."

Marine Environment Protection

Cruise operations in Cayman Brac are handled with particular care for the marine environment. Visiting ships do not anchor to avoid damage to coral reefs. Instead, vessels remain under engine in the designated offshore anchorage area on the island's northwest side, with passengers ferried ashore by lifeboat tenders to Scott's Dock.

Former acting port director and part-time Brac resident Joseph Woods explained that Scott's Dock offers significant advantages for cruise operations. "In the past, tenders came into the government dock at the Creek, but it was too high and not the safest method," Woods said. "We switched to Scott's Dock because it offers better space, better ambience and is closer to shops, the post office, restaurants, beaches and hotels in the West End."

Future Cruise Calls

Two additional cruise calls are scheduled for Cayman Brac in 2026:

• 20 February 2026: Windstar's Wind Surf with 386 passengers
• 6 May 2026: Swan Hellenic's SH Vega with 152 passengers