Stingray City

The world famous Stingray City is an absolute must-do for any visitor to Cayman and is often described as the experience of a lifetime. Stingray City is home to approximately 140 Southern Stingrays. These wild, gentle and graceful creatures roam free and even the most seasoned traveller will be enchanted by this incredible experience.

History

In the past, local fishermen would anchor their boats in the calm shallow water inside the reef while they gutted their catch and threw scraps overboard. Over time, Southern Stingrays came to realise there were free daily meals in certain spots of the North Sound and so they returned day after day. Today, dozens of rays continue to visit the two sites, although nowadays it is mostly divemasters and boat captains who feed them squid.

Stingray City & the Sandbar

These are, in fact, two separate sites. Stingray City lies in 12ft of water and so it is ideal for snorkellers and divers. Indeed, it is often billed as the best 12ft dive in the world. Stingray City Sandbar is where the majority of visitors are taken to. Here, the water is just two to four feet deep, so even non-swimmers can safely stand in the shallow water surrounded by stingrays. The Sandbar is suitable for all ages and offers incredible photo opportunities.

Please turn to page 39 for tour operators. Southern Stingrays are large creatures. Their wingspan can reach two metres across, however, males are noticeably smaller than females. Their wings are soft and silky and feel like velvet as they brush past you. Stingrays are incredibly gentle animals, and their instinct is to flee from danger. The poisonous sting in their tail is only used for defensive purposes, mainly against sharks, which are their only predators in the open water outside the reef.

INTERACTING WITH STINGRAYS

When you reach Stingray City your crew will explain how to interact with the rays and put you at ease. You may touch the rays and you will even get a chance to feed them their favourite dish: squid. After the rays get a whiff of the squid and swim towards you it can feel intimidating, but as they vacuum it off your hand (remember to keep your thumbs tucked in) you’ll fall in love with these amazing animals and will not want to leave the water! You may even be tempted to give your favourite stingray a kiss – if you do, you will be rewarded with seven years of good luck!

Safety note: Please respect the animals and note that lifting the stingrays out of the water is seriously discouraged. Wearing fins is prohibited and when in the water you should practise the “Stingray Shuffle” to avoid stepping on any sleeping rays.

Insider Tip

Stingray City can get quite busy, especially when there are a lot of cruise ships in Grand Cayman. You will find it is quieter after 3pm and on the weekends.