Starfish Beach

[ecec]

Hello,

 

I have been told that Starfish Beach is beautiful. Does anyone know where it is in relation to the port? Are there any facilities there?

 

Thanks for your help!

[bookbabe]

I have been told that Starfish Beach is beautiful. Does anyone know where it is in relation to the port? Are there any facilities there?

 

The area known by many as Starfish Beach is more properly known as Ivory Kai. It is just past Rum Point, so about 50 minutes or so from the port area.

 

There are no facilities, since it's a vacant lot that is most recently intended to be developed for condos. (It's changed owners/plans a few times over the years.) The area has been blocked off to vehicle access (new gates across the road, and large rocks blocking the paths through the trees along the property line). I've seen vehicles still manage to get in, but I wouldn't want to try "off-roading it" to that extent with a rental car (we took a look over the Christmas holidays and weren't willing to drive our jeep in).

 

It's still fairly easy to get there via boat, however, so many of the stingray city excursions still stop there to snorkel and see the starfish. (Although there don't seem to be as many starfish around as there used to be, or at least there weren't on our last visit.)

[ecec]

Thanks for the info - does Rum Point have facilities? It sounds like the cab ride would be expensive because of the distance. Is it that superior to Seven Mile Beach?

[TurtleTagger]

While I love Rum Point (which does have facilities), there is a reason Seven Mile Beach is considered one of the best in the Caribbean.

[bookbabe]

Seven Mile Beach vs. Rum Point

Whether you will enjoy Seven Mile Beach more or less than Rum Point depends on what you are looking for in a beach experience.

SMB:

- very long stretch of perfectly flat white sand and gorgeous blue water

- very little natural shade, lots of sun

- very close to the port area, so cheap and easy to get to/from (taxi or public bus)

- close to attractions like the Turtle Farm, Hell, dolphin experiences, rum cake factory

- more developed (major tourist area)

- includes a number of named sections with varying levels of facilities (sections with good free facilities are Royal Palms, Sea Grape and Tiki Beach)

- multiple choices for restaurants and shopping nearby

- access to watersports via multiple operators at the different sections

- couple of sections with okay snorkelling, but most of the beach has no real snorkelling to speak of

- can be crowded in the sections with the better facilities due to proximity to port area

Rum Point:

- smaller beach, more "secluded tropical island" in feeling

- lots of natural shade, less sun

- 45 minute drive from port area, can only be reached via excursion or rental car

- not a major tourist area; surrounded by large vacation homes

- attractions more-or-less on the way there include Pedro St. James castle, botanical gardens, blowholes, cheesy pirate caves

- single company runs the beach and provides excellent free facilities such restrooms, showers, chairs, hammocks, etc.

- only one restaurant (beach bar) and one small gift shop

- one watersports operator (Red Sail)

- easy access to okay (and slightly better than okay) snorkelling

- crowd levels vary dramatically depending on day and number of excursions present, but usually less crowded than SMB (except on weekends/holidays)

[ecec]

Thanks very much everyone for the extremely helpful info!