In this day and age, it can seem that no paradise remains undiscovered; that anywhere with vacation appeal will be inundated with tourists – but Little Cayman is an enchanting exception to the rule.

A Place to Make Memories

Just a short flight from Grand Cayman, Little Cayman is a world apart. Although blessed with empty beaches, exceptional wall diving and superb fishing, it’s remote
enough to have escaped mass tourism. A small and tranquil outpost where life moves at a leisurely pace, Little Cayman offers more than just a holiday. It offers a lifestyle.

With few residents and even fewer cars, life on Little Cayman moves at a slow pace. Arriving on the smallest of the Cayman Islands is like stepping into a different age: it’s a place where children cycle along sandy roads, roam empty beaches and embark on adventures unsupervised, and where the packed schedules and obligations of modern life fade away.

The gentle rhythm of life on Little Cayman and the lack of distractions is a balm for busy families – and an opportunity to rediscover the joy of spending time together.

Two Visions Aligned

The Tibbetts and Arch families have deep Caymanian roots and emotional ties to Little Cayman. For over three decades, the Tibbetts family has been slowly and thoughtfully developing many of the tourist accommodations on the island – Little Cayman Beach Resort, the Conch Club and The Club at Little Cayman – while the Arch family, co-founders of construction firm Arch & Godfrey, have shaped Grand Cayman’s landscape with developments known for their quality and integrity.

But it wasn’t their professional success that inspired MAREA. It was the quality of life they found here.

For both families, Little Cayman has become a sanctuary: a place where their children blossom. In this small, safe community, real-world adventures beckon, and children make their own entertainment, whether fishing off the dock, paddling out to Owen Island or snorkelling in the shallows.

Here, structured schedules and constant connectivity fade away, and families actually spend time together. Phones and tablets are forgotten, conversations unfold naturally, and simple pleasures like barbecuing a freshly-caught fish or counting shooting stars on a moonless night become lifelong memories.

It was in these moments that both families realised this was an experience they wanted others to be able to enjoy too.

Exclusivity Meets Tranquillity

This was the inspiration behind MAREA: to create a retreat where families could escape from the endless demands of daily life and reconnect with each other.

At its heart, MAREA is about preserving the spirit and environment of Little Cayman. It is not, therefore, a large-scale resort, but rather a boutique collection of family-friendly villas that marry modern design with island charm.

The ten villas, each with a four-bedroom floorplan, bring a new level of luxury to the island, with spacious, flowing open concept layouts, elegant interiors, contemporary kitchens and screened terraces. Resort-style amenities, including a multi-level pool, integrated hot tub, private cabanas and a shared pavilion, are all part of the philosophy of MAREA: to encourage connection and create a sense of community.

Full property management and maintenance services, along with a concierge service that will organise transfers, grocery stocking and on-island activities, are all included to ensure that owning a villa at MAREA is effortless and stress-free.

A World Away, 30 Minutes From Home

Escaping the pressures of daily life doesn’t require travelling to far flung destinations. Little Cayman is only a 30-minute flight away – close enough for weekend breaks, far enough to feel a world away.

Investing in MAREA isn’t simply about real estate. It’s about creating a haven that you, your children, and your children’s children will treasure for generations. It’s about giving your family the gift of unhurried time together, of adventures that don’t involve screens, of memories formed in a place that time forgot.

With construction nearing completion and only three villas remaining, MAREA offers a rare opportunity to be part of something both exclusive and deeply rooted in Caymanian family values.