Posted on August 18, 2025
(CMR) The Cayman Islands Cabinet has given the green light to a significant beach restoration project at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, temporarily closing public beach access to allow for the placement of thousands of cubic yards of imported sand.
According to the Cabinet summary from the August 6 meeting, officials approved the Public Lands Commission’s request to temporarily close the registered public 6-foot right of way to the seashore along the north boundary of Block 13B Parcel 2 for 90 days. The closure will facilitate beach renourishment operations in the vicinity of the Marriott property.
The project received crucial support from environmental regulators, with the National Conservation Council (NCC) recommending the initiative and determining that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would not be required for the beach restoration work. This determination removed a major regulatory hurdle that could have significantly delayed the project.
The hotel has submitted applications for a coastal works permit that would allow them to stabilize the existing seawall and place up to 8,000 cubic yards of imported sand in front of the property. The restoration plan also includes installing groynes and reconfiguring reef balls to help retain the new sand and prevent future erosion.
The beach restoration comes in response to severe and persistent erosion that has plagued the area for several years. The situation became particularly dire after Hurricane Ian passed near Grand Cayman in 2022, causing significant sand loss along the affected coastline.
The southern section of Seven Mile Beach, where the Marriott Resort is located, has experienced dramatic erosion, with the sandy beachfront completely disappearing at times. During the worst periods, guests and visitors have found little to no space for beach chairs, and in some instances, no visible beach at all. The erosion has not only affected the resort’s operations but has also raised concerns about the long-term stability of the coastal infrastructure in the area.
While the project has received official approval, some members of the public have expressed concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the beach restoration efforts. Questions have been raised about whether the imported sand will remain in place over time, given the ongoing erosional forces that caused the original problem.
Additional concerns center on potential downstream impacts to neighboring beaches, as coastal engineering projects can sometimes alter natural sand movement patterns, potentially affecting adjacent properties and public beach areas.
