If you ever make it to the Western Caribbean island of Grand Cayman, one shore excursion not to miss is Stingray City and Snorkel.
The excursion includes a stop at the famous Stingray City and a snorkel stop to dive on the island’s barrier reef. We purchased the shore excursion from the shore excursion desk on Carnival Vista for $79.99.
Located in the north-south of Grand Cayman island, this sandbar is a playground for the southern stingrays who flock to the area when cruise passengers arrive by boatload (because the tour guides have food).
Heading to Stingray City
Grand Cayman is a tender port, so you’ll have to take a ferryboat from the cruise ship to the pier. Once you’re at the pier, it’s a very simple ten-minute ride to the docks to board your boat. Our boat was a two-story flat boat that held around 100 cruise passengers.
After a quick safety briefing, signing a release, and a quick overview of what we’ll see, we threw the lines off the boat and headed for open waters to Sting Ray City. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes but goes by quickly because the captain and the mate familiarize you with the life jackets, underwater masks, and snorkel gear.
Arrival at Stingray City
When you arrive at Sting Ray City, a crew member will throw the anchor off the boat, secure the boat, and deploy three ladders for passengers to get into the water. The water is around four feet deep (depending on the tide) but gets shallower as you walk toward the middle of the sandbar.
Holding the Stingrays
The southern stingrays flock to you like a bunch of prehistoric puppy dogs. They’re very friendly, rubbing up against you; they range from babies to a wingspan of five feet.
Cruise passengers are no longer allowed to feed the stingrays because a few years ago, it was determined that they were being overfed, and a limit was set on how much the rays could be fed.
Reef Snorkel
After about thirty minutes at Sting Ray City, you’ll board the boat and take the few-minute ride to Coral Gardens, a pristine snorkeling area in 12’ of water.
You’ll see all the different types of coral at Coral Gardens as you swim in all the different types of sea life. You’ll be allowed thirty minutes to swim around the reef at this stop before heading back to land.
Overall thoughts
This excursion is great for families of all ages, and we’ll make your friends green with envy when you tell them you got to swim with the southern stingrays in Grand Cayman.
While in the water, the tour guide held a ray and explained how tame and safe they were.
Stingray City is a very popular destination, and it’s best to book early because it does sell out. Also, try to take the early excursions.
There is only one Stingray City, and depending on how many ships are in port, it gets very crowded. Usually, the first tour leaves the pier at 8:45 a.m.
They have a bar on the boat with T-shirts, local drinks, disposable cameras, and an onboard photographer who gets in the water with you. You can purchase your photo, and the bar opens after the stingray swim.
Tips
- Bring plenty of sunscreen and a towel from the cruise ship.
- The boats have underwater cameras for sale for $20, about the same price you can buy at your local store.
- Leave the water shoes on the cruise ship. Stingrays are flat and lay on the ocean floor when not swimming, you’ll have to drag your feet when walking on the sandbar and feel with your toes.
- Gratuity is not expected on the trip but is appreciated. 5 dollars per person is more than fair.
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