Starfish Point

The basics

The starfish are the main draws at Starfish Point. With shallow water only around 3 feet (1 meter) deep, visitors can simply walk around and find starfish in the clear water. Those with snorkeling gear can venture out further, where the water drops off to 10 feet (3 meters), and more starfish can be found on the seafloor. Visitors looking to spend more time can relax and sunbathe on the small beach or swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddle in the water.

It’s a popular destination for boat tours, often combining a stop here with nearby Stingray City, Bioluminescent Bay, or Coral Garden. Private boat charters will offer the most flexibility to combine Starfish Point with other attractions around the island. It’s also possible to visit independently by driving to the beach, and it can be combined with Rum Point nearby.

Things to know before you go

• Starfish Point is ideal for all travelers, especially families with kids.

• It’s free to access Starfish Point. Parking is also free.

• Do not remove starfish from the water. Not only is it illegal, but these creatures can’t breathe out of the water, and excess handling can cause stress.

• There are restrooms in the parking area.

• A food boat can sometimes be found in the water. Kaibo Beach bar is also a short distance away, with more options at Rum Point.

How to get there

Starfish Point is located on the North Side of Grand Cayman, west of Rum Point. It’s around 28 miles (45 kilometers) from George Town and takes about 45 minutes driving. From Rum Point, take a left on Water Cay Road and follow it to the end of the road. There is free parking. You can also access Starfish Point by taxi or by boat, and many boat tours include a stop here.

When to get there

Starfish Point can be visited any time, though there’s no guarantee how many starfish will be present, if any. To avoid the cruise ship crowds, it’s best to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon after they have returned to their ships. Visit later to combine it with a stop at Bioluminescent Bay.

Bioluminescent Bay

Near Starfish Point is Bioluminescent Bay, one of only a few places in the world with a large concentration of bioluminescent plankton (dinoflagellates) that emit a glow when agitated. Some tours include a stop here, though you can also easily kayak from Starfish Point or Rum Point. Visit at night when the conditions are right (a few times a month) to see the bioluminescence.