Stingray City

The Basics

Visiting Stingray City is only possible by guided tour and all groups are accompanied by trained professionals to ensure both the safety of participants and the preservation of the natural environment. Tours to Stingray City are often combined with other island attractions such as the Coral Garden and Starfish Beach, or activities like snorkeling, catamaran cruises, glass-bottom boat tours, and jet skiing. Most tours include hotel pickup and round-trip transport.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Pack your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen (shade is limited), and an underwater camera—snorkeling equipment is provided and photos will be available to purchase.

• Guests can choose to swim, snorkel, scuba dive, or take a glass-bottomed boat tour.

• All interaction with the stingrays takes place under supervision of trained professionals who first safely demonstrate how best to avoid the stingrays’ sharp, coated tail barbs and safely pet their sandpapery skin.

• Tours take place in shallow waters and life jackets are available for non-swimmers.

• Visitors should avoid using tanning oils, which is toxic to the rays.

How to Get to Stingray City

Stingray City is located on a natural offshore sandbar between Morgan Harbor and Rum Point in the North Sound area of Grand Cayman. Most tours include hotel pickup or transfers from accommodations in the George Town and Seven Mile Beach areas, followed by a 20-minute boat cruise out to the sandbar.

When to Get There

With area waters at 70°F (21­°C) nearly year round, Stingray City is open daily and tours take place several times daily. To avoid the crowds, opt for an early morning time slot before the cruise ships dock or a late afternoon tour after the larger tour groups have left.

Swimming with Stingrays

The fenceless swimming areas at Stingray City allow wild stingrays to come and go as they please, but the rays are accustomed to human presence and often arrive in large numbers when they hear boats arrive. Tour participants may have the opportunity to feed, touch, and interact with the wild stingrays under supervision, but instruction will be provided to ensure you stay safe and do not disturb the rays’ natural habitat or offer inappropriate foods.

Ways to explore

Visiting Stingray City is only possible by guided tour, and all groups are accompanied by trained professionals to ensure both the safety of participants and the preservation of the natural environment. Tours to Stingray City are often combined with other island attractions such as the Coral Garden and Starfish Beach, or activities like snorkeling, catamaran cruises, glass-bottom boat tours, and jet skiing. You can also take an evening tour of Stingray City, which helps you to avoid the large crowds visiting on cruise ships. Most tours include hotel pickup and round-trip transport.

Accessibility

Most boat tours require climbing down ladders to reach the water; look for wheelchair-accessible tours for specific accommodations.

Age limits

None; the water is shallow, so it’s suitable for kids and non-swimmers.

What to pack

Towel, sunscreen (shade is limited), underwater camera

What to wear

Wear a swimsuit beneath a light shirt to protect yourself from the sun.

Not allowed

Avoid using tanning oils, which are toxic to the rays.

Amenities

No facilities on the sandbar, but most boats have restrooms and provide food

Address

Stingray City is located on a natural offshore sandbar between Morgan Harbor and Rum Point in the North Sound area of Grand Cayman. Most tours include hotel pickup or transfers from accommodations in the George Town and Seven Mile Beach areas, followed by a 20-minute boat cruise out to the sandbar.

Driving

From the capital of George Town, the closest you can get to Stingray City is by driving to one of the docks from which boats depart—the closest is Camana Bay dock. From the center, head north on North Church Street. Follow North Church Street, which will become West Bay Road. Turn left at Camana Bay.

Public transportation

Public transport is limited on Grand Cayman, but you can catch a minibus traveling along West Bay Road from the bus terminal on Edward Street. You’ll be able to disembark at the dock.

Best times to visit

With area waters at 70°F (21­°C) nearly year-round, Stingray City is open daily, and tours take place several times daily. To avoid the crowds, opt for an early morning time slot before the cruise ships dock or a late afternoon tour after the larger tour groups have left.

Best days to visit

Surprisingly, weekends are less busy as cruise ships tend to visit the Cayman Islands during the week.

Best months to visit

Visit in winter (December to March) for the most pleasant temperatures.

Special events

Some special rum-tasting tours visit Stingray City throughout the year.