by Anne Evans
Online searches of Grand Cayman’s North Sound don’t reveal much – and yet it is a huge body of water. I live midway between the infamous 7-Mile Beach and the North Sound. It takes me about 10 minutes to jog to either shore.
Geography & the Canals
The Island’s North Sound is located, as the name would suggest, on the north side of the Island and is not surrounded by white sandy beaches. As you will see from the following maps, North Sound Marine Parks Map – Cayman Islands Department of Environment (CIDOE at doe.ky) and Testudo’s Snorkel Guides – Google My Maps, the only ones to my knowledge are quiet, small stretches of sand at its Northeast, including:
- Rum Point Rum Point Public Beach | Explore Cayman
- Cayman Kai Cayman Kai Public Beach | Explore Cayman
- Starfish Point Starfish Point | Explore Cayman and Kaibo
- North West – Barker’ National Barkers National Park – Cayman Islands Department of Environment (doe.ky)] points where it merges with the Caribbean Sea that surrounds Grand Cayman.
See my post on Grand Cayman’s Best Beaches.
The North Sound is a rugged body of water although relatively shallow as the CIDOE map linked above demonstrates. It is not unusual for me to start my day by jogging out to a vacant lot for sale on its south shore and watch the early morning materialize from its earth and rock edge. Occasionally, the waters are relatively calm, but more commonly I experience some sea spray in my face.
Much of the shore of the North Sound is fed by canals and lined by docks and harbors. Thus, the appeal of living in this area – as you can dock your boat right outside your door. Such is the case with our neighbor directly below us who owns a large boat from which he conducts a charter business.
The canals can be challenging to naive pedestrians trying to negotiate a foot path from point A to point B. Not too long after moving here, I went for my morning jog and endeavored to circle the North Sound Golf Couse which abuts the Sound. Unfortunately, I missed a turn and found myself in a maze of canals where each adjacent street dead ended. I finally retraced my steps and ultimately completed my run – a good hour and a half after I started (I had planned a 45-minute run in the mid-summer humidity)!
The Boat Ride
One fine Sunday in early June, our charter boat-owning neighbors invited Rick and I and some other friends for a sunset cruise. I was excited; a first for me! But what if I embarrassed myself and got seasick; and what was I supposed or not supposed to wear for shoes?
We set off from our condos located on the far west end of a strip of canals off the west side of the North Sound with the afternoon sun still high and started our cruise past the backyard docks of other boat owners heading east until the canals dumped us into the North Sound. We sailed northeast across the Sound toward Rum Point over calm waters and with a light breeze. When we turned around to head back, still considerably offshore, it was so shallow and clear that we could see the bottom.
We sailed past Starfish Point and Kaibo. It was Sunday afternoon, nearing sunset, teetering on the edge of High Season. The vibe on the shore was “Party Hearty” – an interesting contrast to the serenity that Rick and I experienced there late last summer in hurricane season when the tourists were absent. Our group sailed quietly by with all of us slightly amused by their antics. The sun had disappeared as we entered and glided down the canal that led back to our condos. There were our homes, seen from a perspective that was most unique for me.
And in case you were wondering . . . no, I did not get seasick.
What Is a Visitor to Do?
Let’s say that you end up on the shore of the North Sound, rather than 7-Mile Beach, then what? The following are some ideas.
Visit Sting Ray City
Sting Ray City is a series of shallow sandbars in the waters off the northeast corner of the North Sound as it joins the Caribbean Sea. It’s a tourist attraction where visitors can interact with the creatures. A number of companies offer group tours of Sting Ray City as do private charters. I admit, I have not visited this attraction (and have no real desire to do so; it’s controversial . . .).
Charter a Boat
North Sound Boat Charters are readily available to provide private or group outings. A simple search reveals they range as much in price as they do in boat size and activities. The latter can include the following:
- Scuba Diving or snorkeling or diving along the Barrier Reef (a coral reef that runs along the north side of Grand Cayman)
- Visits to Starfish Beach as well as Kaibo, Rum Point, Cayman Kai or Sting Ray City
- Fishing – within and beyond the North Sound!
Oh, My Goodness! Even if you are not a fisherman, to be a spectator is, in itself, a memorable experience. You might witness someone capturing a 150+ lb. Yellowfin Tuna and then be treated to a meal from the catch.
Fishing catches can include:
- Shore: Snapper, Grunts
- Reef Fishing: Grouper
- Inshore: Bonefish, Tarpons, Barracuda
- Outside the North Sound in the Surrounding Caribbean Sea: Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Triggerfish, and Swordfish.
See Fishing in CAYMAN ISLANDS: The Complete Guide (fishingbooker.com)
Fish Species of the Cayman Islands: A Comprehensive Overview (caribevibes.com)
You can devote a few hours or fill a day – and still not scratch the surface of exploring the waters of the North Sound.
Golf
There are 2 Golf Courses here on Grand Cayman – both of which stretch nearly the full width of West End and abut the North Sound on their east ends.
The Ritz Carlton Golf Club on Grand Cayman offers a 9 Hole Course designed by Greg Norman. This course is only available to guests, Ritz Carlton homeowners and those that have become Golf Members. It is not available to the public. Probably the closest I will ever come to playing this course is jogging past it on my morning runs.
The North Sound Golf Club is “Grand Cayman’s premier 18-hole golf course”.
This course is open to the public and offers discounts to residents of the Cayman Islands. This is where I swing my clubs, and I love it. It is a well-kept course with a kind and welcoming staff. I am a casual golfer that loves golf because of the peace and serenity it brings me, and I certainly find that here. Imagine putting on the practice green with a view of the North Sound at your side – or landing your ball on the 11th green with the North Sound as your back drop. Simply marvelous!
Even an exceptionally talented golfer can appreciate this course.
Camana Bay
If water activities are just not your “cup of tea” . . . consider a stroll through (or shopping spree at) Camana Bay Shop, dine, live, work and play in Grand Cayman | Camana Bay. Camana Bay is reachable by canals off the Southwest of the North Sound (as well as by car or foot) and is located roughly halfway between 7-Mile Beach and the North Sound.
Ground was broken for the shopping, dining, business and residential complex at the water’s edge in 2005 with its Grand Opening taking place in 2007. History of Camana Bay | Explore Cayman
Does it have major Caymanian historical and cultural significance? No, not really. However, it is a fun, vibrant, modern part of the community that both tourists and locals enjoy. Who doesn’t enjoy fine outdoor dining – or a bargain price on a quality piece of jewelry – or a Christmas Tree lighting – or a romp in the fountain and splash pool?
Dining on the North Sound
Terrific dining opportunities abound throughout Grand Cayman. I am not kidding when I say that Rick and I have yet to have an unpleasant experience either with food or with service. That includes the places we have been to around the North Sound. The few I mention below are among our very favorites in part because they have outdoor seating on the water’s edge. These are favored by locals as well as tourists – and the staff treats every customer with kindness.
Tukka has two locations – at the far east end of the Island adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, and the north part of West End of the Island overlooking the North Sound to the east. Although we have visited both, we tend to favor Tukka West since we live in West End. One of their unique spins on a local Island specialty (i.e., tacos) is a Lionfish Taco (when available). Lionfish are an invasive species in The Cayman Islands and are only caught by spear fishing (not by net or by line), so it’s not often available – except during culling expeditions. On Tuesdays, Tukka offer a marvelous 2-for-1 on all their tacos.
Calypso Grill is located right across the dock from Tukka West. It is equally vibrant with an equally delightful outdoor dining setting. The menu is perhaps more upscale and somewhat pricier than Tukka’s – maybe better for a “date night” whereas Tukka is better for a large group with kids.
Morgan’s was my choice for a waterfront dining Birthday dinner. I would describe the experience as “Island Elegance.” The menu has both the usual as well as unusual offerings. I enjoyed their spicy Thai “Yum Tom Soup” and “Jerk Duck” – neither of which have I crossed paths with elsewhere on the Island as yet. Service is impeccable and no request goes unanswered without a sincere smile.
Driftwood Bar & Grill at the Holiday Inn Resort
The Driftwood Bar & Grill is a “sleeper.” Although the Holiday Inn Resort is located quite close to where we live, it is in a rather isolated part of the Island, and I have the rather surprising impression that few locals are aware of it. It is a simple restaurant with simply good food. The patio dining overlooks the pool which overlooks the North Sound, and even in High Season, it can be a delightful place to have a peaceful, very reasonably priced meal. Rick and I made our first visit there just for drinks after a Sunday afternoon walk. The staff was really friendly and the menu looked good, so we returned for dinner – and keep returning for happy re-run experiences.
Hotels & Resorts
Unlike the areas of the Island abutting the Caribbean Sea (on the west), you won’t find many Resorts along the North Sound. In fact, I am only aware of two. I have visited both, however have stayed at neither (remember, I live here!). There are also likely to be many short-term rentals available among the many condominiums and homes that encircle shores of the North Sound.
Just like its restaurant, The Driftwood Bar & Grill mentioned above, The Holiday Inn Resort is a “sleeper.” If you a golfer, you are in luck as it is adjacent to the North Sound Golf Course. It has the feel of a well-kept, however older resort. Given that it is on the shore of the North Sound (rather than 7-Mile Beach) in West Bay, it is going to be significantly more affordable than the resorts on the west (Caribbean) side of West Bay. Be aware that even though the resort’s website includes under Amenities “Beach”, this is not a white sand beach – more like rock with sand. That said, if you are looking for an affordable, pleasant, waterfront place to stay on Grand Cayman, this would be my choice.
Club Suites at Rum Point (CSRP) is at the other extreme from The Holiday Inn – in terms of location, luxury and price. CSRP is located at the tip of Rum Point at the northeast corner of the North Sound where its waters open into the Caribbean Sea. You can drive, however, if you can afford to stay there, you can probably afford to have a yacht deposit you there instead.
This would be my idea of the perfect vacation – outdoors, pampering and seclusion. I would come here in the off season with nothing but boat access, snorkel and mask, and bicycle to explore the docks and canals at that end of the Island. Meals could be enjoyed at Rum Point Club’s Solis Restaurant or catch a short ride to Upstairs at Kaibo for fine evening dining. That said, my preference would be to have my meals “home grilled” in the privacy of my suite and then enjoyed on the suite’s balcony with the Caribbean Sea at my feet.
In conclusion, I would say the North Sound is not so much a hidden gem but rather an under-discovered pearl of Grand Cayman.
