Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Some of the most crystal clear water and the world's cuddliest stingrays can be found here at Stingray City. I had come here once before but I was so small I hardly remembered a thing. It was nice to be back. 

Finding a tour to take you here is quite an easy task. It is a very popular tourist attraction and almost every Cayman tourist company makes a run here.

TIP: If you are going to cruise through the Caymans, maybe find something else to do because it will be overly crowded. If you are going and staying, book your visit on a day when the fewest cruise ships will be in. It will be the best bang for your buck. After all, you go to look at the rays, not people. 

How it all works

Basically, once you have chosen the tour of your choice (we used George's Watersports and I 10/10 recommend), then you get on their boat and head out. It is located on a sand bar not far from the shore. Some tours will even shuttle you to the dock they leave from and shuttle you back. That is what we did. Please note that you will need your own clothing, mask, snorkel, and whatever else you desire such as a camera and wallet. They will provide some basic drinks and will drop you off for lunch, which you are responsible for in terms of the bill. 

It is also important that you know we took the four hour tour with them. You get to visit four locations: Stingray City, The Aquarium (snorkel site), starfish point, rum point (for food), and the mangrove trees. I thought each place was fantastic and the small group on the boat worked well to our advantage. I will be posting more for each place we visited at another time

Back to stingray city. Once you arrive at the sandbar, you see all the action and hopefully not loads of people. You will hopefully see something like this:

You can get in and out of the water whenever you please before it is time to go. They bring stingray food so you can feed the stingray. You get to hold the stingray and get your picture with it. They will also use your camera and you won't have to worry about buying someone's picture. Other than that, its free range. Do whatever just do not step on a stingray.

TIP: in order to avoid stepping on a stingray, either swim on the surface and watch where you put your feet to stand, or shuffle your feet along the bottom. Shuffling your feet will kick up sand, however, so be aware that kicking up sand makes the water murky and you are less able to see the swimming rays. This makes it less fun for everyone.

Also, if you can, try to go in the morning. It is always less crowded. 

Well everyone I hope that sums up stingray city for you. I had a blast and I think anyone who visits will too! I highly recommend this spot and George's Watersports.