Marea, a collection of vacation villas, marries Little Cayman’s old-world charm with contemporary comfort and convenience.

In the shiny, fast-paced, modern world we live in, disembarking from the tiny aircraft that delivers you to Little Cayman feels like stepping back in time. It is the isle’s relative inaccessibility that has kept major development at bay, ensuring the charm
of its sandy roads, tropical sea, and simple living can still be enjoyed by those who venture there.

Residential real estate rarely comes on the market in Little Cayman – and much less so high-quality, newly constructed villas. But now, a group of pioneering entrepreneurs who share a deep affection for the charming island is developing MAREA: a singular collection of ten luxury villas that offer a rare chance to own
a vacation home in this pocket of paradise.

CONTINUING THE TIBBETTS LEGACY

Situated on Little Cayman’s calm southern shore, between Little Cayman Beach Resort and The Club at Little Cayman condominiums, the intimate, low-rise development is a very personal project for the Tibbetts family – the driving force behind this project – who have deep ties to Little Cayman.

Thirty years ago, Linton Tibbetts and his son Dan assisted the island with tourism when they built Little Cayman Beach Resort and founded Reef Divers. Over the years, the family went on to build the museum, the grocery store, and The Club. Now, the next generation – Michael, Emily, and Jessica – have partnered with Arch and Godfrey, the oldest construction company in the Cayman Islands, to carry their father’s and grandfather’s vision forward.

As such, this is a project that is close to their hearts and has been conceived with great care and forethought to meet the needs of today’s discerning homeowners while being sympathetic to its surroundings and ensuring the sustainable development of this much-loved island.

AN EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION OF VACATION VILLAS

MAREA’s ten villas are positioned around a large, shared swimming pool and gardens set back from a 300-foot stretch of reef-protected white sand beach with a private dock.

Built to the highest standards, the two-storey villas feature a refined contemporary interior design that promises equal parts elegance and comfort. The 2,700-square-foot layout includes screened terraces on both levels to ensure a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience.

On the ground floor, an open-concept living room and kitchen with a dining nook merge with a covered outdoor seating, dining and barbeque area. The layout works well for families or couples inviting guests, with one primary bedroom and bathroom situated on the main level, an additional primary en suite bedroom and a spacious guest room that opens onto a large covered terrace with spectacular sea views. The second floor is rounded out with a flexible bunk room or den and laundry room.

Modern amenities in pristine surroundings MAREA offers all the amenities modern villa owners expect, combined with easy access to Little Cayman’s underwater and shore-based natural wonders.

The large, shared pool, which features a shallow area for kids and an integrated hot tub, will be lined with sun loungers, and each villa will have its own curtained cabana for when one needs to retreat from the sun or seek out a little privacy. At one end of the pool, an open-sided cabana will provide a covered space for gatherings and beyond that, the private dock will allow owners to moor their boats and be picked up for dive or fishing trips.

The community will be equipped with a fitness centre, electric bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards so that owners can enjoy the island to its fullest and, to make weekend escapes or longer breaks even more enjoyable, Marea owners will receive preferential rates on spa services and dive trips at the adjacent Little Cayman Beach Resort.

A FULLY MANAGED DEVELOPMENT

To ensure vacation time is easy to organise, owners will have access to a full concierge service, which will include an airport pick-up and drop-off service, pre-stocking of groceries, and booking of activities. Owners will also not need to spend precious vacation time on maintenance or management as pool and garden maintenance, laundry and cleaning services, hurricane preparations, and more will all be taken care of by the management team. Indeed, Marea has been carefully conceived to provide complete convenience for busy professionals seeking a vacation home they can slip away to and unwind with absolute ease.

MAREA broke ground in December 2023, and it is estimated construction will be completed by late 2025. Six units have been sold, with four remaining.