Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament 2026Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament 2026: the Caribbean sportfishing week worth planning around
Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament 2026 (CIIFT) is confirmed for April 28 to May 5, 2026 in the Cayman Islands, bringing local and international anglers together for one of the destination’s best-known sportfishing weeks. For island travelers, it’s a rare event that blends serious offshore action with a lively, social atmosphere on shore, making it just as exciting to follow as a spectator as it is to fish as a competitor.
Grand Cayman is famous for Seven Mile Beach and crystal-clear water, but the island’s ocean story goes far beyond the shoreline. The Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament (often shortened to CIIFT) is where that bigger story comes alive, with teams heading offshore each day chasing some of the Caribbean’s most prized pelagic species.
What makes CIIFT especially appealing for an islands audience is its “vacation meets competition” feeling. Anglers get the rush of offshore fishing and the strategy of tournament formats, while visitors get a week where marinas, waterfront bars, and boat communities buzz with weigh-ins, photos, and fishing talk. Even if you’ve never held a rod, it’s the kind of event that’s easy to enjoy because the excitement is visible and contagious.
Confirmed dates: April 28 to May 5, 2026
FishCayman, the Cayman Islands Angling Club’s event listing, confirms the Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament 2026 will be held April 28 to May 5, 2026. Those dates place the tournament right at the transition from late April into early May, an excellent time for travelers who want warm water and a lively island calendar without the heaviest peak-season crowds.
From a trip-planning standpoint, the dates also make it easy to build a full itinerary. You can arrive before April 28 to settle in and get your gear ready, then stay a few extra days after May 5 for beach recovery, diving, or a quieter exploration of the island once tournament week winds down.
What the tournament is known for: a mix of competition and camaraderie
FishCayman describes CIIFT as the islands’ premier sportfishing experience for over 25 years, bringing together local and international anglers competing for cash and prizes across categories. That “over 25 years” detail matters because it signals credibility: CIIFT is not a one-off pop-up event, but a long-running part of Cayman’s sporting identity.
Explore Cayman’s event description also frames CIIFT as the islands’ premier sportfishing experience for over 25 years, and notes it attracts a mix of local and international anglers competing for prizes in multiple categories. Together, these sources paint CIIFT as both competitive and community-driven, which is a strong combination for travel content: it means there’s energy on the docks, not just out at sea.
Target species and what makes Cayman fishing special
Explore Cayman lists eligible species including wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), and billfish. That lineup is a big part of the tournament’s appeal because it includes both speedsters (wahoo), strong fighters (yellowfin), photogenic fan favorites (mahi), and prestige catches (billfish).
FishCayman also notes that in the Cayman Islands, good catches can occur close to shore because the ocean floor drops off sharply, creating a natural pathway for migratory pelagic species like blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dolphin (dorado). For visitors, this is a useful “why here” detail: Cayman’s underwater geography helps create a world-class fishery in a relatively compact island setting.
The CIIFT experience for spectators: where the island excitement happens
You do not need a boat to feel CIIFT week. The most spectator-friendly moments tend to happen onshore:
- Afternoon weigh-ins where teams return and the day’s stories become visible.
- Dock walks where you can see boats prepping tackle and discussing strategy.
- Social gatherings tied to registration, captains’ meetings, and awards nights.
Explore Cayman’s listing mentions tournament activities like a captains’ meeting and kickoff party at George Town Yacht Club, and weigh station activity also associated with George Town Yacht Club and the channel wharf area in its schedule example. While that schedule is shown for a prior year in the listing, it gives visitors a realistic idea of the kind of venue environment that CIIFT week typically centers around.
Entry fees and prize scale (what’s available)
Explore Cayman states a base entry fee of US$500 per boat, making teams eligible for over US$65,000 in cash prizes, and also references a “Cayman National Jackpot” entry at US$3,500 per boat with an estimated payout of over US$100,000. These numbers provide valuable context for how serious CIIFT can be: it’s fun and social, but the competition and potential winnings are real.
Because tournament structures can change by year, those figures should be treated as representative of published tournament economics rather than guaranteed 2026 totals unless the 2026 Notice of Race or official entry package confirms them again. The 2026 dates are confirmed, but full 2026 entry documentation and prize breakdown should be checked directly with FishCayman as the event gets closer.
Travel tips for CIIFT 2026 on Grand Cayman
Best areas to base yourself
If your goal is to feel the tournament energy daily, staying near George Town or the Seven Mile Beach corridor can keep you close to marina life, restaurants, and easy transfers to event gatherings. George Town is also convenient if you want to pair tournament week with shopping, harbor views, and casual waterfront dining.
Build your days around the island rhythm
A great CIIFT travel routine looks like:
- Morning: beach time or a snorkeling trip.
- Midday: explore Camana Bay or take a scenic drive.
- Late afternoon/evening: head toward the marina zone to catch the “after fishing” atmosphere.
Book early if you want a fishing charter
During tournament week, boats and guides may be in high demand. If you want a non-tournament fishing day as part of your trip, book in advance and confirm whether your captain is participating in CIIFT that week.
Responsible island travel during fishing week
Cayman’s marine environment is the reason these tournaments exist, so visitors benefit from traveling with a “reef-first” mindset. Choose operators that follow local regulations and best practices, be mindful with sunscreen around reefs, and respect waterfront areas during busy weigh-in periods by giving crews space to work.
Even as a spectator, you can support the island’s fishing culture by dining at locally owned restaurants, shopping from Cayman vendors, and treating the tournament as part of the island’s community calendar rather than only a tourist spectacle.
Verified Information at a glance
Event name: Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament (CIIFT) 2026
Event category: Sportfishing tournament (offshore fishing competition)
Confirmed 2026 dates: April 28 to May 5, 2026
Longevity: Described as Cayman’s premier sportfishing experience for over 25 years
Species mentioned: Wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), billfish
Entry fee and prize context: Base entry US$500 per boat (eligible for over US$65,000 in cash prizes); “Cayman National Jackpot” entry US$3,500 per boat with estimated payout over US$100,000 (from Explore Cayman listing).
Venue references: Captains’ meeting/kickoff party and weigh station activity referenced at George Town Yacht Club in Explore Cayman’s schedule example.
If you’ve been looking for a Cayman Islands trip that feels energetic, local, and ocean-driven, plan for April 28 to May 5, 2026, spend your days enjoying Grand Cayman’s beaches and your evenings soaking up the dockside buzz, and let CIIFT show you the island through the thrill of the open water and the community that lives for it.
