The drive out to Cayman Kai feels like you’re leaving the island behind. George Town slips away, the sands of Seven Mile fade, and the road begins to narrow, winding past mangroves and glimpses of turquoise sea. Then the air shifts. The water looks brighter, and suddenly the landscape opens to a stretch of shoreline that feels unhurried, untouched. Hammocks hang slack between palms, shallow water extends into the horizon, and the pace of life slows to match the sea.
This is Cayman Kai, the northern corner of Grand Cayman — a place where mornings blur into afternoons, and afternoons into evenings, with nothing more complicated than the question of when to get back in the water.
The Joy of Kaibo
At the heart of Cayman Kai is Kaibo, a kind of beachside village with a cafe, restaurant and bar that captures the essence of the place. By day, it’s barefoot and breezy, serving wood-fired pizzas and fresh seafood just steps from the sand. As the sun sinks lower, Kaibo transforms: tiki torches flicker, music drifts into the night, and the upstairs restaurant offers refined dining with the sea as backdrop. For travelers, Kaibo is more than a meal — it’s the gathering point, the place where the day naturally slows and settles. And did we mention there’s a fantastic rum bar, too?
The Rum Point Club
Not far from Kaibo lies the Rum Point Club, a legendary spot that has been drawing visitors for decades (and recently underwent . The scene is relaxed but lively: hammocks strung between palms, tables on the sand, and water so shallow you can wade out forever. It’s the kind of place where families spend entire days, where snorkeling gear sits next to beach chairs, and where lunch is never hurried. Rum Point has long been one of Cayman’s most beloved destinations, a mix of local tradition and international appeal that makes it feel timeless.
The Birth of the Mudslide
Rum Point is also where one of the Caribbean’s most famous cocktails was born. The story goes that in the 1970s, a guest walked in and ordered a White Russian. Without cream on hand, the bartender reached for Irish cream instead — and the Mudslide was born. Since then, it’s become a signature of the Cayman Islands, a creamy, indulgent drink that feels best sipped with toes in the sand and the North Sound stretched out before you.
Where to Stay
For those who want to wake up in Cayman Kai itself, the Rum Point Club Resort offers a modern, boutique-style retreat right on the sand. The resort blends the privacy of a residential stay with the comfort of resort amenities, with suites that open to the sea and balconies made for sunrise coffee or evening cocktails. Staying here means Rum Point is your backyard — the beach, the starfish shallows, and the original Mudslide all just steps away. It’s the purest way to experience life on the North Side.
What Makes Cayman Kai Special
Cayman Kai has a different personality from Seven Mile Beach. It is quieter, gentler, and more deliberate. It is hammocks swaying under palms, afternoons at Kaibo, starfish in the shallows, and evenings that seem to stretch endlessly at Rum Point. It’s great for a day trip if you’re staying on SMB, but it’s wonderful for a weeklong getaway, too.
How to Get to Cayman Kai
Cayman Kai sits on the North Side of Grand Cayman, about a 45-minute drive from George Town. Some travelers arrive by boat across the North Sound, docking just steps from the sand. However you get there, the change is immediate: this is another side of the island, where the sea is calmer, the crowds disappear, and the pace becomes your own.
Caitlin Sullivan
2025-09-14 19:01:00