Heavenly day out at Rum Point

Our next trip to enjoy Cayman’s tourist attractions takes us all the way to North Side to Rum Point

By Lindsey Turnbull

Cayman’s best and most famous beach is obviously Seven Mile Beach, an award-winning stretch of sand that is probably unparalleled, yet ask a local what their favourite beach spot is and you will more often than not get Rum Point as a response.

The fact that, for most people, it’s a little bit of a trek up to North Side to reach means going to Rum Point Club, by land or by sea, is always something of an adventure, thereby enhancing the attraction. Cross the North Sound via private boat and moor up at this idyllic setting, or take a road trip through George Town and out to the Eastern district of Bodden Town, (the first capital of the Cayman Islands), before heading north at Breakers to North Side. Cut through the centre of the island passing by the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and make a left once you hit the ocean. Rum Point is all the way to the left, pretty much as far as you can drive (the signage written on beer barrels gives it away!).

This unique little stretch of sand and small headland has changed considerably over the years. Once a quiet little backwater with a gorgeous, virtually uninhabited, white sandy beach and just a small shed from which bartenders made excellent cocktails, Rum Point has developed over the years to be a major attraction for visitors and locals alike.

Its unique charm is clear: the water at Rum Point is unimaginably blue/green, warm and shallow, a perfect spot for little ones to paddle and splash about, and there’s hardly any tide or waves and the shallow waters stretch out a good way, so there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.

The beach is nicely set out with sun loungers and hammocks that are free to use, and there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied, including beach volleyball and a myriad of water sports, such as kayaks and stand up paddle boards for hire.

Food and drink choices are very good, especially the cocktails! In fact, legend has it that Cayman’s famous Mudslide cocktail was actually invented here at Rum Point (be careful with that first sip as it will be a full mouthful of Kahlua! Lunches are always casual affairs sitting at one of the pretty picnic tables, menu held down by a coconut, at the Wreck Bar and Grill. Favourites include Caybrew fish and chips and some really excellent Jerk pork with all the sides. The Rum Point Club Restaurant is a beautiful spot for fine dining at night.

Sundays are a particularly popular day for locals to enjoy this hidden gem of a location, and ‘Rum Point Sundays’ have actually become a ‘thing’ especially among the younger crowd, who enjoy mooring up at lunch time and chilling out in these clear shallow waters.

Rum Point is one of the reasons why we really ought to feel blessed to live in such a picture-perfect location such as the Cayman Islands, an idyllic spot that really typifies Caribbean living at its best.