Rum Point & Starfish Point: the full guide
Calm shallow water, hammocks strung between casuarina trees, a famous cocktail and starfish you can wade among, Rum Point and neighbouring Starfish Point are the North Side's gentlest, most photogenic afternoon. Here is how to do them.
Rum Point: the lazy-afternoon classic
Rum Point is the island's favourite spot to do absolutely nothing. The water is shallow, calm and bath-warm, shaded by casuarina pines with hammocks slung between them and a sandy-bottomed bar serving the mudslide cocktail that was reputedly invented here. It is unpretentious, family-perfect and a world away from the Seven Mile bustle.
Spend the afternoon swimming, floating and snacking, and stay for the sunset over the North Sound on the way out.
Starfish Point: wade among the sea stars
A few minutes from Rum Point, Starfish Point is a shallow, sandy shoreline dotted with large red cushion sea stars. You can wade out knee-deep and see them up close, but the golden rule is look, don't lift: taking a starfish out of the water harms it. Admire, photograph in the water, and leave them be.
It is gentle, free and a genuine highlight for kids.
At Starfish Point, look but never lift, taking a sea star out of the water harms it. Photograph them where they are.
Getting there
Rum Point is about a 45-minute to one-hour drive from Seven Mile Beach, up and around through the North Side past Cayman Kai, a pretty drive in itself. Alternatively, seasonal ferries and boat tours run across the North Sound, which makes for a fun arrival. Come on a weekday for the quietest version.
Make a day of it
Pair Rum Point and Starfish Point with lunch at one of the nearby Cayman Kai restaurants, and you have an easy, complete North Side day. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water and a towel, and do not rush the drive back, the scenery is part of the trip.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Rum Point?
About a 45 to 60 minute drive from Seven Mile Beach via the North Side, or by seasonal ferry/boat tour across the North Sound.
Can you touch the starfish at Starfish Point?
Look, don't lift. You can wade among them, but removing a sea star from the water harms it, admire and photograph them in place.
Is Rum Point good for families?
Ideal, shallow, calm, shaded water with hammocks and a casual bar make it one of the best family beaches on the island.
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