There’s nothing like a Stingray City Cayman Islands vacation! While you’re excited to see Stingray City when you visit Grand Cayman, you probably have many questions about how to reach this gem of a tourist destination. Here’s a roundup of big things to know:
-
Stingray City is a fun all-ages tourist attraction in the Cayman Islands that is perfect for families that love bonding over shared adventures!
-
Where is Stingray City located? Stingray City is actually a series of shallow sandbars in Grand Cayman’s North Sound.
-
Stingray City is famed for its abundant population of southern stingrays.
-
While it offers family fun, Stingray City is also a great spot for a romantic getaway.
-
Yes, you’re going to be able to swim with wild stingrays. That includes petting them as you wade in warm, soothing water.
-
No, it isn’t dangerous. However, you’ll need to carefully follow directions to ensure a safe adventure!
A tour we think you'll love
If the clock is counting down to your arrival in Grand Cayman, you won’t want to waste another minute before planning your Stingray City visit. These nine tips will help you plan a unique experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
1) Booking A Stingray City Tour Is The Easiest Option
If you’re like most Grand Cayman tourists hoping to visit Stingray City, you may be unsure about the best way to reach this tourist attraction. Don’t worry about setting sail on your own. Like thousands of Cayman Islands visitors, you can simply hop on one of the highly rated Stingray City tours offered by Captain Marvin’s.
As the original tour company offering charters to Stingray City, we know the shallow waters surrounding the Stingray City sandbars better than anyone. When you book with us, you can customize your itinerary to include:
-
The best wild stingray experience in the Cayman Islands!
-
Snorkel adventures at the Barrier Reef and Coral Gardens
-
Traveling to Starfish Point with our expert boat crew to see stars and other tropical fish
-
Diving into crystal-clear waters to enjoy the nightly rarity that is Grand Cayman Island’s bioluminescence!
-
Tasting local island food
As one of the longest-running tour companies in Grand Cayman, Captain Marvin’s is able to provide unforgettable memories with hassle-free booking. Just wait until you tell your friends or family that you’re all going to be swimming with friendly stingrays during your upcoming trip to Grand Cayman!
Reserve the spot on one of our Stingray City excursions today!
2) Don’t Miss Your Chance To Go Snorkeling At Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach is a popular spot for snorkeling near Stingray City. While not every portion of Seven Mile is ideal for deep dives, these core spots are perfect when planning an unforgettable excursion:
-
Boggy Sands Reef: Popular among experienced snorkelers, Boggy Sands Reef offers good amounts of coral and fish.
-
Cheeseburger Reef: While more popular as a diving site, this snorkeling spot located 40 yards from shore is popular among experienced snorkelers looking for robust fish and coral populations.
-
Cemetery Beach: Named after an adjacent burial spot, this snorkeling spot offers dense coral about 60 yards from shore.
-
USS Kittiwake: Accessible only via licensed dive or snorkel operators, this iconic site is full of turtles, barracudas, groupers, and more.
-
Wreck of the Gamma: Located on the south end of Seven Mile Beach, this site features a wreck just 20 yards from shore. Fish can be seen swirling in and out of the wreck.
3) See Stars Galore At Starfish Point
Visits to Stingray City are often paired with excursions to Starfish Point because these two magical attractions are perfect together. Starfish Point is a secluded beach in Grand Cayman that is famous for its robust star population.
Located roughly 45 minutes from George Town by car, this beach is tucked away on Grand Cayman’s north side near Rum Point. Here’s what you need to know to have an incredible time at Starfish Point:
-
The stars here live on the seagrass on the seafloor
-
While stars are most abundant in the deeper area just after the 10-foot drop, they do occasionally drift to the shallow area
-
While you can touch the stars, removing them from the water is strictly forbidden. That includes lifting them from the water for a quick photo. Stars can be easily injured or killed when they are removed from the water
-
It’s possible to snorkel over the edge to see the stars in their natural habitat on the seafloor
-
The best time for spotting stars is from the early morning until the early afternoon
4) Don’t Let Worries About The Danger Of Swimming With Stingrays Stop You
One common misconception that keeps some people away from experiencing the magic of stingray tours is that swimming with wild stingrays is dangerous. The truth is that thousands of visitors arrive at Stingray City every year without any problems. The stingrays here are incredibly docile. They don’t show aggression to humans when treated with respect.
Why are the stingrays at this stingray sandbar location so much friendlier than other stingrays in the wild? The legend behind why the stingrays at Stingray City are so comfortable around humans has to do with the rich fishing tradition of the Cayman Islands. According to the local legend, stingrays began to associate the sound of boat motors with mealtime after local fishermen began dumping fish guts into the sea. Snorkelers and divers eventually discovered that the stingrays here were friendly enough to feed by hand!
While the stingrays at Stingray City do have venomous tails, tour guests are instructed on how to properly approach stingrays from the front to avoid coming into contact with their long, whip-like appendages.
As long as you respect stingrays and the other creatures that call Stingray City home, your visit will be a safe and fulfilling adventure that leaves you with more awe and respect for Mother Nature than ever before!
5) Enjoy An Amazing Feast At Rum Point Club
Located on the island’s north side, Rum Point is beloved by Stingray City visitors for its classic island vibe that features white-sand beaches full of beach hammocks tied between coconut trees. While many people come to Rum Point to enjoy snorkeling and swimming in seclusion, foodies can’t resist the opportunity to make dinner reservations at the famous Rum Point Club!
This is an amazing place to dine on filet mignon, lamb chops, and fresh seafood. There’s also a lunch spot at the club that features a 50-foot open-air bar with bites, cocktails, and an all-day dining menu. The club has live music most nights!
6) Only Wear Water Attire When Visiting Stingray City
What is the dress code like at Stingray City? The best thing to wear to Stingray City is a bathing suit. However, any attire that you don’t mind getting wet will do just fine! You should also bring your own towel.
7) Skip The Tanning Oil When Visiting Stingray City
While working on your tan may be at the top of your to-do list while visiting Grand Cayman, you’ll want to skip the tanning oil when getting into the waters of the North Sound. That’s because tanning products are generally toxic to stingrays. When it comes to sun protection, opt for reef-safe sunscreen.
8) Don’t Make Startled Movements In The Water
When you get into the sea with stingrays during your tour, keep a cool and calm demeanor! Sudden movements can startle stingrays. In addition to causing stingrays stress, this can put you in danger.
9) Know Where Not To Touch Stingrays
The final tip is simply to be gentle when making physical contact with stingrays. Avoid touching a stingray’s tail, eyes, gills, or mouth. Additionally, a stingray’s tail and gills should never be lifted out of the water for any reason!
Book An Unforgettable Stingray City Excursion
If swimming with wild stingrays in the Caribbean Sea is on your bucket list, Captain Marvin’s is ready to help you plan the experience of a lifetime!
Our highly-rated tour company brings you to Stingray City, Coral Gardens, Starfish Point, and beyond using our top-notch fleet and experienced captains.
