Stingray City is, without a doubt, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Grand Cayman. As one of the few places in the world where you can safely interact with wild stingrays, it attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year!
With all the hype, you may be wondering: is Stingray City in Grand Cayman worth the visit? Here at Rum Point Club, we believe the answer is a resounding yes! While we are most well-known for our beachfront restaurant and bar, we also run a number of Boat Excursions at Rum Point Beach Club, including excursions to Stingray City.
Each time we take our visitors here, they come back singing their praises. Even we relish the chance to go along every visit! Keep reading to find out more about Stingray City. If you have any questions for us, feel free to get in touch.
What is Stingray City?
Located in the North Sound, Stingray City is a natural sandbar that attracts a large number of stingrays. It’s believed the stingrays started gathering here after fishermen would discard their unused squid flesh. Over time, these stingrays became accustomed to boats and humans, allowing for close and safe interactions. It’s all 100% natural!
There are both shallow and deeper sections of water at Stingray City. Most people congregate in the shallower area, where you can snorkel or comfortably stand with the water coming up waist-high.
The stingrays here are southern stingrays, some of the friendliest sea creatures around. They’re even known as the “puppies of the sea”! These stingrays do not see people as a threat and are generally non-aggressive. This is what allows people to touch them and interact with them, creating one of the most phenomenal wildlife encounters you can imagine!
To learn what other marine creatures you can encounter in the Cayman Islands, read our blog: 9 Aquatic Animals You’ll See in Grand Cayman.
How to Visit Stingray City?
The only way to visit Stingray City is on a guided boat tour. This is to ensure the preservation of the natural environment and the safe handling of the stingrays. Boat tours to Stingray City depart from Seven Mile Beach or Rum Point, with many making extra stops at surrounding snorkeling locations like Starfish Point or Coral Gardens.
If you choose to depart from Rum Point, we offer a number of Stingray City excursions through our parent company Red Sail Sports. All of our trips come with snorkeling equipment included so you can go exploring underwater, and there is also a cash bar on board our catamarans.
You can visit Stingray City year-round, as the stingrays will always be present! You’ll experience the clearest waters in the dry season between November and April, as well as the warmest temperatures. The rainy season is still pleasant, with milder temperatures and sunshine during the day.
The best day of the week to visit Stingray City is actually during the weekend, as the cruise ships arrive during the middle of the week. Should you wish to visit Stingray City but are short on time, we can recommend our Stingray City Tour from Rum Point, Grand Cayman which departs on Sundays. Only lasting for 1.5 hours in total, you’ll just visit Stingray City and encounter the friendly rays.
If you’d like a longer excursion, our Grand Cayman Stingray City Trip from Rum Point gives you nearly 3 hours to meet and greet the stingrays before enjoying some spectacular snorkeling at a nearby reef. Departing on Mondays and Fridays, this gives you the opportunity to experience the natural aquarium without too many crowds.
However, you still can’t go wrong with an excursion during the week. You may encounter a few more people, but there is ample space to spread out and interact with the stingrays. Our Stingray City Sail from Rum Point, Grand Cayman, departing on Sunday and during the week, gives you time to play with the animals and enjoy some snorkeling too.
Safely Handling Stingrays at Stingray City
One of the most important things to consider when visiting Stingray City is how to safely handle the stingrays. These animals are wild creatures that are to be respected and protected. Here are the main do’s and don’ts when handling stingrays:
Do:
- Wear reef safe sunscreen to protect marine life
- Keep stingrays flat in the water with their nose towards you
- Touch the wings gently
- Allow the stingray to swim off when it wishes
Don’t:
- Touch the back or belly of the stingray where there are sensitive organs
- Touch its mouth, gills, eyes, or stinger
- Remove the stingray from the water
- Bend the fins of the stingray
- Prevent the stingray from moving
- Place the stingray at your back for a ‘massage’
You can find out more details about how to properly handle a stingray with these Stingray Handling Guidelines by the National Conservation Council of the Cayman Islands.
Visit Rum Point Club after Your Stingray City Trip
Once your thrilling Stingray City is over and you return to Rum Point, feel free to join us at either our Solis Restaurant or Rum Deck for a bite to eat or a delicious cocktail. It’s the perfect way to end off a perfect day in the Grand Cayman. If you have any questions about our Stingray City tours or our club offerings, get in touch with us. We can’t wait to welcome you to Rum Point!
