My wife and I were on a Western Caribbean Cruise. One stop was Georgetown, Grand Cayman Islands. Friends of ours were vacationing on the island the same week we visited. Plans were made by them to have the six of us take a boat ride out to the world famous Stingray City.

Brief History

Stingray City is but a shallow sandbar just inside a protective reef. Fishermen would come to this area to clean their day's catch. The Southern Atlantic Stingray, (Dasyatis-Americana) are abundant in these waters and like sandy bottoms where they forage for crustacean. They also enjoyed the remains of the fisherman's catches. Divers and snorkelers began coming to the area and feeding the stingrays. This phenomenon continues today and a lively industry of tourism has bloomed.

Being Prepared

The trip to this sand bar is but a twenty minute boat ride inside protected waters so heavy seas should NOT be a problem though waves of water a foot or two can make the waters a bit more difficult to stand in during higher tides. We were in water about three and half feet deep. The cost is about $45 per person. Our ship had its own excursions at a few dollars more.

The area has a circus-like atmosphere to it. Perhaps ten to twenty boats anchor in the waters around the sandbar forming a circle which the rays swim into. They're attracted to the squid that the guides bring into the waters.

It's suggested that absolutely no foot wear be worn so as to protect the delicate skin of the animals. Feeding bare handed was no problem at all. There really is no serious danger but knowing how makes all easy for you and the stingrays. For those fearing like results that naturalist celebrity Steve Irwin suffered it may help to know that these are a different kind of ray and don't feel threatened.

An Encounter

The rays, that are up to four and five foot wide swim all around the bodies of the visiting tourists searching for attention and food. My wife and her friend were like frightened school girls screaming as the animals slid by and against them with the soft tissue of their bodies. Most boats had teams of guides and camera men who would attract the creatures and set up shots, later for sale, with each tourist holding or kissing a stingray.

Our guide gave us squid to feed the stingrays. Holding the squid loosely in my hand with my thumb curled inside my finger provided a safe way to feed the fish. I could feel a strong vacuum like sensation as the fish drew the squid into its mouth. Stingray after stingray came to us and around us. There are perhaps thirty or forty in the waters at any given time. It was an absolute thrill to be in the waters with them. My wife soon became acclimated and did kiss a stingray. This was an extraordinary experience I'll never forget.

Coral Fish A Book That Displays Incredibly Colourful Fish and Educates Snorkelers and Divers



Recommended: Yes

Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime