Swimming with Stingrays in Grand Cayman

Bucket List Adventure: Swimming with Stingrays in Grand Cayman

Swimming with stingrays is a highlight of visiting Grand Cayman and a key reason we were thrilled about our Western Caribbean itinerary on the Norwegian Pearl. If your plans include Grand Cayman, Stingray City is a must-visit. It offers a chance to interact with stingrays in a fun, educational setting.

We faced a tough choice between spending a day at scenic Seven Mile Beach and swimming with stingrays. Choosing the stingrays was a dream come true, and it added a memorable adventure to our travel bucket list.

Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Stingray City, located in a shallow sandbar in Grand Cayman’s North Sound, is only accessible by boat. You’ll need to book a shore excursion or hire a private boat, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your departure point.

The day we visited was overcast, with dark clouds threatening rain. We braced for a downpour as we made our way to the sandbar, but fortunately, the rain held off, allowing us to enjoy our time with the stingrays fully. Although we missed the iconic turquoise waters due to the weather, the journey was still pleasantly leisurely.

Upon arrival, the sandbar was bustling with other groups, which was expected, especially with cruise ships in port. Despite the crowd, our encounter with the stingrays was intimate and joyful. We waded into warm waist-deep water and were greeted by friendly stingrays, lured by the promise of squid treats. They were gentle and sociable, brushing against our legs as cats might.

Our guide ensured everyone had a chance to interact closely with the stingrays—petting, feeding, and even kissing them for good luck. It was a delightful experience, enhanced by the knowledge that these creatures were well cared for in their natural habitat, not confined to a tank.

Safety and Tips for Swimming with Stingrays in Grand Cayman

• Swimming with stingrays is safe if you follow the guide’s safety tips—avoid swimming over them, stepping on them, or provoking them.
• Wear water shoes and bring sun protection.
• Use an underwater camera for the best photos.
• Always swim with an experienced guide and listen to their instructions to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience with the stingrays.

Snorkeling at Coral Garden

Snorkeling at Coral Garden was a mixed bag of tranquility and thrills. It’s a serene experience to float above the coral, enveloped in the quiet of the underwater world. Yet, it’s equally exhilarating, never knowing who might show up to say hello.

While Coral Garden isn’t the top snorkeling spot we’ve experienced, it certainly left us with unforgettable memories. One of the most memorable moments? The time an eel decided to make a surprise appearance!

Here’s what happened: As my hubby waved me over excitedly, I swam to him, expecting a typical underwater sight. Instead, as soon as I dipped my head below the water, an eel lunged out from its hiding spot, baring its teeth at me. For a second, it seemed like a scene straight out of a monster movie—I couldn’t help but scream!

We couldn’t stop laughing about it minutes later, but it was a stark reminder that while eels aren’t usually dangerous, they can be quite startling when they appear. So, if you’re snorkeling and spot an eel, admire it from a distance.

A Rainy Adventure at Starfish Point

Starfish Point promises clear waters where you can easily spot starfish in the sandy depths—on a sunny day. But as luck would have it, our visit was greeted by a sudden downpour. The rain stirred the waters, obscuring our view. Although our captain kindly offered to bring a few starfish onboard using buckets filled with water and sand for a closer look, we decided to experience them in their natural habitat instead.

Embracing the mantra, “You only live once,” we dove in despite the rain. The water felt like a warm bath, a stark contrast to the icy rain pelting us above. We quickly retreated to the boat, shivering but fulfilled, leaving the undeterred kids to enjoy the aquatic world a bit longer. Their fearless enjoyment reminded us of the carefree joy of childhood.

Despite the weather, it was a memorable day in Grand Cayman. This brief visit whet our appetite for a longer stay—perhaps a week-long vacation to truly explore the island. Cruising offers the perfect teaser to these beautiful spots, although it always leaves us yearning for more time.

How to Book a Stingray City Tour in Grand Cayman

Finding the right tour operator is crucial when swimming with stingrays at Stingray City. With several options available, thorough research is key to choosing one that meets your expectations and ensures safety.

From our experiences, we’ve learned the importance of selecting licensed operators who adhere strictly to safety protocols and have a solid reputation backed by positive reviews. For more insights on booking independent shore excursions, you can check out our detailed tips to help you plan the perfect day at any cruise port.

You have two main options for booking:

1. Through the Cruise Line or Hotel: This is often the simplest way to book, providing a stress-free experience, especially at tender ports where getting off the ship early can be challenging.
2. Independently: For a more hands-on approach, you can book directly with local operators, like we did with Native Way. This option offers more flexibility and often a more personal experience.

Remember, booking through the cruise line might be a safer bet to avoid the hassle of coordinating transport and ensuring you don’t miss your departure due to tendering delays.

Read more: How to Navigate Your Own Shore Excursions

Stingray City and Snorkeling Tour with Native Way

We booked Native Way Watersports for their “Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens, and Starfish Point” tour, guided by strong recommendations from a cruise forum. We avoided their longer tour option due to tight ship schedules.

Finding the meet-up point was initially tricky because we docked outside the usual terminal. Still, a quick phone call to the provided number helped us locate our group in front of The Shops at Royal Watler cruise terminal.

Our small tour group was just nine people, making the experience more personal and enjoyable. While the booking process had some communication challenges, and the drive to the marina was a bit erratic, the tour went smoothly.

Our guides were attentive and friendly, ensuring our safety and making the most of the gloomy weather. They provided juice, water, and snorkeling equipment, and we appreciated their efforts to ensure a memorable experience despite the rain.

We returned to the cruise terminal on time and left with positive feelings about our adventure, reflected in our generous tip.

Choosing Your Stingray City Adventure

Booking independently for Stingray City offers numerous tour options. It’s crucial to consider the timing of each tour and be clear about the meeting point locations. Below are some popular Stingray City tour options you can consider:

• Stingray City Experience from Grand Cayman (2-Stops) [book here]
• Starfish and Stingray City Snorkeling Adventure [book here]
• Private Half-Day Stingray City, Snorkeling & Starfish Beach Tour [book here]
• Grand Cayman: 3-Stop Stingray City Tour with Snorkeling [book here]

Grand Cayman Cruise Port

Grand Cayman Cruise Port: What You Need to Know About Tendering

Cruise ships, including the Norwegian Pearl, anchor offshore at Grand Cayman, requiring a tender service to transport passengers to land. On our trip, tender tickets were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Without priority status, we secured ticket #4 early in the morning, ensuring we could disembark quickly once we docked.

What is Tendering? Tendering means smaller boats shuttle passengers from the ship, which is anchored offshore, to the shore.

Georgetown’s tender service is notably efficient, using double-decker vessels that accommodate more passengers and speed up the transfer process. We were called to tender shortly after docking at 10 AM and were ashore swiftly.

Remember! If the cruise itinerary states a departure from Georgetown at 4:00 PM, the last tender usually leaves at 3:00 PM. Always verify the last tender time on the day of disembarkation—check the announcements and signs and confirm with a crew member to ensure you don’t miss your ride back to the ship.

Alternative Activities in Grand Cayman

Unsure what else to do from Georgetown, Grand Cayman? Here are some activity and tour options unrelated to swimming with stingrays. That kind of activity isn’t for everyone, but there are more things to do in Grand Cayman.