Summary
The moment we said we were traveling to the Cayman Islands, everyone asked, “Are you going to Stingray City?”
Visions of beach bars on sandy beaches popped into my head. I didn’t do a lot of research before traveling to the Grand Cayman, so I thought Stingray City must be some private island off the coast.
Stingray City in Style – Private Luxury Charters on Grand Cayman
When we learned it was a sandbar where tourists can interact with stingrays that have become accustomed to humans, we were a bit wary. Was this just another tourist trap where we’d be surrounded by throngs of people invading a wild animal’s territory?
Well, yes it was. However, our tour was far different from the others, as we avoided the tourists loaded en masse to huge tour boats, carrying a crowd of people who barely had the chance to see the stingrays, let alone get to know them.
We had the pleasure of traveling with Cayman Luxury Charters, organized by our pals at Camana Bay on Grand Cayman. We met our Captain, Adam, and guide, Bill, at the Camana Bay Marina and boarded their 42-foot Sea Ray sport yacht.
My parents used to be avid boaters, and the only boat they would buy was a Sea Ray. They considered it the best. Consequently, we were excited to see that we’d be going out to explore Stingray City and the coast of Grand Cayman on the best. This is a luxury charter after all.
We had the boat to ourselves, and Bill and Adam instantly made us feel at home. The rock music was cranking from the radio, the sun was shining, and we were sitting pretty in paradise.
About Stingray City
The trip to Stingray City takes about half an hour. During that time, Bill educated us about the stingrays and the waters surrounding Grand Cayman. The Cayman Islands have long been known as the diving Mecca of the Caribbean.
It’s home to the second deepest trench in the Caribbean, reaching depths of 7,686 meters (25,217 ft). Moreover, the region’s crystal clear water, unrivaled visibility, and endless Cayman Wall attract divers from all over the world.
How Stingray City Came to Be
Stingray City originated when fishermen used the shallow sandbar to clean their fish before heading back to the island. The fish guts, squid, and waste attracted stingrays, and they’ve been drawn to the roar of engines ever since.
In the 1950s, a fisherman recognized the potential of taking tourists out to see the nearly “tame” stingrays, and it has remained a top attraction of the Cayman Islands ever since.
However, upon pulling up to the sandbar, our fears about Stingray City were reinforced as we witnessed the mass of people surrounded by huge tour boats. Fortunately, we were on a yacht that had the liberty to anchor wherever we chose.
So, Captain Adam chose an area away from the crowds, and Bill jumped in, attracting several stingrays. He introduced us to Freckles and Scar, two stingrays that were calm and relaxed in his arms.
Swimming With Stingrays
We jumped into the warm blue waters to join Bill and the stingrays for an unforgettable hour. We didn’t notice the crowds milling around, watching us. The other boats lacked the private interaction with the stingrays that we enjoyed.
The other tourists stood in large groups, watching us from afar. We held Freckles, feeling her smooth, slippery skin relax in the water. Interestingly, we hadn’t even started to feed them yet; they were simply happy to hang out with us for a little while.
Bill informed us that each boat has a limited amount of squid they can feed the stingrays, so he was saving our feeding for the end.
You must be very cautious to keep the stingrays under the water and let them gently float below the surface. If they feel comfortable, they’ll rest in your hands for hours.
We made sure to give Freckles and Scar several kisses, as it’s said that if you kiss a stingray at Stingray City, you will enjoy seven years of good luck. I think we’re set for life!
After holding them for a while, it was time to give the squid they had eagerly been waiting for. We held onto the slimy squid with our thumbs tucked into our hands. Stingrays eat by suction.
When they see food, they suck it up, and while your thumb won’t get sucked away, it will feel like it went through a cheese grater if it sticks up too much and makes it into the squid’s mouth. For me, it felt a little like sandpaper.
After feeding, we let the stingrays float away by holding them and then diving under their bellies. We could see their big smiling faces swimming overhead to another spot on the sandbar.
These stingrays seem to thrive on the interaction. They swim around feet and rub up against legs as they explore the crowds that come by daily.
We loved our time at Stingray City and were grateful to enjoy it on a private yacht. I couldn’t imagine sharing this experience with a hundred other people and waiting in line to touch them.
With experienced guides, we were shown how to hold the stingrays, and they knew how to attract them safely for us to hold. Other tourists didn’t experience such luxury.
Snorkelling at Coral Gardens
Next, we set off for a snorkel at Coral Gardens, where we encountered hundreds of colorful fish. I appreciated how Adam took his jet ski to keep an eye on us as we swam around the reef. Dave and I have done a lot of snorkeling before and have often just been dropped in the middle of the ocean.
In the Maldives, we were the only ones in the water with the guide, as the other tourists hesitated to leave the boat in search of sea turtles. Here on the luxury charter, should we run into any problems, Adam would be right there to assist us with the jet ski.
After about half an hour in the water, we hopped back onto the Sea Ray and headed to Starfish Point.
About Starfish Point
Situated on the North Side of the island, Starfish Point is a beach where starfish rest in the shallow waters. Bill and Adam quickly informed us that we should never take starfish out of the water.
Too many people pose for pictures while holding onto starfish out of the water. They erroneously believe it’s acceptable to pick them up.
Since starfish use seawater to pump nutrients into their bodies and lack gills or lungs, they actually pump air into their systems when removed from the water. Imagine if every tourist kept taking starfish out of the water? It wouldn’t take long before they suffered.
We learned that Starfish Point used to be filled with starfish, but today, only a few clusters remain—largely due to tourists. Please travel responsibly and do not take starfish out of the water, ever.
We held our starfish under the water, and it relaxed enough to grip my hand. We had to gently jiggle it to release its grip before returning it to the deeper waters. I didn’t want other tourists to find my sea star and remove it from the water.
During our visit, we saw two different people pick up starfish out of the water. Being me, I couldn’t help but tell them to “put their fish down!”
Be responsible. You are visiting their homes; show respect and help keep them alive.
We concluded our experience with a spin on the jet ski. I think Dave discovered a new toy for when we settle in the Caribbean Islands.
With cold drinks and snacks awaiting us on the boat, we sailed back to Camana Bay, where we said our goodbyes and walked back to our ride with big smiles on our faces.
Stingray City exceeded our expectations, mainly because we visited with Cayman Luxury Charters. Had we been on the crowded tour boats, I would have likely advised others to avoid it altogether.
Do yourself a favor and consider a luxury charter for this excursion. After all, Grand Cayman was made for luxury.
For further insights regarding Grand Cayman, visit Camana Bay and explore your own luxury charter options to Stingray City at Cayman Luxury Charters.
