Stingray City Tour

ur neighbors first told us about their fantastic experience on the Stingray City tour off Grand Cayman Island. We thought it sounded interesting.

It wasn't just interesting. It really was fantastic, and it turned out to be one of our favorite Caribbean shore excursions and the top choice for Cayman Island attractions.

We visited Grand Cayman on our western Caribbean cruise. About 40 of us took the drive over to the dock where our boat was located, jumped on board and spent about 20 minutes riding out to the sandbar where the large school of stingray lived.

The highlight of the excursion was a chance to go snorkeling with them.

Numerous sources have explained that fishing boats would stop at the sandbar to dump the remains of fish they had cleaned over the side. Stingray gathered to feed on what the fishermen dumped. Eventually, the crew got into the water and started to feed the stingray directly.

That's how the stingray got comfortable with human contact and eventually settled down to live at the sandbar.


n this particular day, the weather was perfect -- clear blue sky and an easy sea. As the double decker boated neared the sandbar, everyone stood at the sides to watch large dark shapes glide underwater toward the boat in anticipation.

Some people on the boat talked excitedly while others talked nervously.

The boat came to a stop and dropped anchor. Those of us on the top deck had to climb down stairs and temporarily lose site of the water and the stingrays.

As we did, we started to hear screams.

When we got down to the bottom deck and looked out, we saw a number of people in the water trying to climb on top of each other and others getting back into the boat.

But the great majority of snorkelers -- both adults and children -- already in the water were laughing, diving and talking with even more excitement.

Then it was our turn to get into the water with snorkeling gear. Within moments, stingray as large as six feet wide were gliding past us to see if we had any food for them. Some of them would glide their wings across our legs.

Others would pass close by as we put our heads underwater to watch them and carefully reach out to run our own hands over their wings.

Suddenly a large and heavy boy jumped on my back. My son got rubbed for the first time. He laughed uncontrollably and nervously as he tried not to get rubbed again. Eventually he settled down and got back into the water.

We have been asked if we were scared of being stung, and the answer is no.

At no time did the stingrays act aggressively or lie on the bottom in a way that would lead us to step on them accidentally. There are no guarantees of safety, but we felt quite comfortable with them.

Tour company guides joined vacationers in the water to explain how they live, feed them occasionally and, in one case, gently capture one and hold it for a minute at the water level to explain more about them.

Less than an hour later it was time to get back on the boat and return to the cruise ship. All great excursions end to soon. Stingray City is a memorable experience for anyone visiting Grand Cayman.


ost visitors arrange the Stingray City tour through the cruise ship if they are visiting by cruise or at the resort or hotel if staying on Grand Cayman.

These options are more expensive, more convenient and have a higher odds of a good tour because cruises and resorts generally don't work with bad operators.

Prices vary greatly, but booking a tour directly may cost around $40-50 for an adult and $30-40 for a child. Prices depend on the tour operator, length of time for the trip, amenities such as food and drink, time of year, etc.