Stingray City Grand Cayman

Stingray City at Grand Cayman Island is one of the most popular shore excursions in the Caribbean. Thousands of cruise ship passengers and tourists make the short boat ride from the northern end of Grand Cayman to interact with these graceful sea creatures. Stingray City is found just off the coast of Grand Cayman Island and consists of a string of sand bars that cross the North Sound from Morgan Harbor to Rum Point. Locals say that the stingrays began gathering in the area decades ago when fisherman used to clean fish on the shallow sand bars. The stingrays would forget their normally shy dispositions and feast on the guts of the cleaned fish. Soon the stingrays began to associate the sound of a boat motor with food. In the late 1980s, divers starting feeding squid to the stingrays, which is one of their favorite dishes. Before long, dozens of rays would show up each day to be fed, attracted by the boat engines and the memory of an easy meal.

Stingray City is not actually a ‘city’ but rather a sand bar where you can experience an interaction with these beautiful gentle creatures. Many tour operators offer tours to the site. If you arrive from a cruise ship, note that it will take a 10-15 minute transportation ride to the marina where you board a boat for a 20-25 minute ride to the actual area. Otherwise, confirm transportation arrangements with the tour operators if you are staying on the island. Once you arrive at Stingray City, the clear, crystal azure water invites you in. Do not be afraid of the gentle rays. Simply stand still in the water and allow them to glide by you. Gently petting the top of the ray feels like wet sandpaper, while the underside is smooth and soft. Follow the tour guides instructions if you decide to ‘feed’ the stingrays. It isn’t dangerous or scary, just a little like have a vacuum take something out of your hand. Again, follow the guidance of your tour guides and you will enjoy an amazing interactive experience.