If you’re planning a vacation on Grand Cayman, you may already have heard about Stingray City.
On a paradise island rich in fun-filled adventures, visiting Stingray City is one of the most popular.
At Red Sail Sports, we provide a wide range of Stingray City tours to suit every need, from morning tours to sunset excursions.
We have spent countless hours exploring this incredible place, so our expert team knows it inside out.
Keep scrolling down to find all the information and inspiration you need to plan your visit.
And if you have any further questions about tours of Stingray City, please feel free to get in touch!
Where is Stingray City?
Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman’s North Sound, a shallow bay with crystal-clear water.
Grand Cayman itself is the largest of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands.
A teeming coral reef sits at the opening of the North Sound, where it meets the Caribbean Sea.
And in a natural channel that runs through this reef, several sandbars have formed.
These sandbars are Stingray City. Here, you can find many southern stingrays living freely in their natural habitat.
Because the water is so shallow and clear, conditions are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and interacting with these gentle and playful creatures.
How to Get to Stingray City
To get to Stingray City, you will need to take a boat tour.
Red Sail Sports provides boat tours to Stingray City departing from two convenient locations on the island.
If you’re in the popular Seven Mile Beach area, you can join a tour departing from Safehaven Marina.
If you’re in the East End, North Side, or parts of Bodden Town, we also have excursions departing from Rum Point.
We provide everything you’ll need for snorkeling with the stingrays, and our luxury catamarans have cash bars serving a range of refreshing drinks.
You can find much more information about this topic in our previous guide How Do You Get to Stingray City?
How Long Does it Take to Get to Stingray City?
The boat ride to Stingray City usually takes around 24 to 45 minutes, depending on the departure location.
It’s worth nothing that the journey from Rum Point is shorter than that from Safehaven Marina.
Are you staying in the Seven Mile Beach area during your stay? Check out our Visitor’s Guide to Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach for even more travel inspiration.
How Deep is the Water at Stingray City?
The water at Stingray City is relatively shallow, with a depth of around three to five feet.
This makes it easy to stand in the water and interact with the stingrays.
Of course, if you or any member of your group isn’t a confident swimmer, we have snorkel vests onboard so everyone can join in the fun!
What Kind of Stingrays are at Stingray City?
Stingray City is home to a large population of southern stingrays, which are known for their gentle nature and friendly behavior.
Generations of these stingrays have grown up interacting with humans at Stingray City.
So, while they are wild and in their natural habitat, they are also completely comfortable being approached by snorkelers and swimmers.
In fact, they will probably even approach you first!
Is it Safe to Interact with Wild Stingrays?
Yes, it is safe to interact with the stingrays at Stingray City. As touched on above, the creatures are well accustomed to human interactions.
But, of course, you must always follow the safety instructions given by your tour guide.
On our tours, guides provide a safety briefing before you enter the water. We explain how to approach the stingrays and how to behave around them.
Some basic rules to follow include:
- Approach the stingrays slowly and from the front.
- Avoid touching the stingrays’ eyes, gills, or tails.
- Do not chase or harass the stingrays.
- Never do anything to startle the stingrays.
It’s important to note that a stingray’s gills must remain in the water at all times.
By following these rules, you can have an amazing experience interacting with the stingrays while also ensuring their safety and well-being.
When you behave respectfully toward the stingrays, you can pet them, hold them, and even kiss them for seven years of good luck!
Our previous guide Can the Stingrays at Stingray City Sting You? takes a more detailed look at the safety of our excursions.
Other Things to Do at Stingray City
Most of our tours to Stingray City are multi-stop excursions, so you can see several sights and enjoy numerous activities in this beautiful area.
For example, we make a trip to a stunning part of the coral reef surrounding Stingray City.
Here, you can snorkel over the shallow reef as you observe the colorful exotic marine life below.
Some of our tours, including the North Sound Eco Safari, also visit Starfish Point, a shallow, clear-water beach speckled with wild starfish.
However, our Stingrays and Sunsets tour is only a one-stop excursion.
Discover Stingray City with Tours from Red Sail Sports!
We hope this guide has inspired you to start planning your own adventure in Stingray City.
Browse our range of Stingray City tours and find out more about the adventures waiting for you!
For more information about excursions to this incredible place, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
