Wildlife· Grand Cayman· Other Caribbean
Stingray City Sandbar (North Sound)
19° 22.6′ N · 81° 18.3′ W
Stand in waist-deep turquoise water on a sandbar inside the barrier reef while dozens of southern stingrays glide around your legs, a tradition born when fishermen cleaned their catch here.
Practical
Position is Virgintino's SAND BAR waypoint (19 22.582N, 081 18.307W); Wikipedia's Stingray City coordinate (19.3757N, 081.3048W) is the same spot. About a mile off Rum Point, just east of Main Channel; controlling depth 3-6 ft (guide), 2 ft on the bar. A 2017 report says the entrance is just east of Main Channel, marked by small white floats. It is a DoE Wildlife Interaction Zone: no taking of marine life; no footwear in water shallower than 4 ft; no anchoring in water shallower than 3 ft or within 20 ft of reef; feed only approved food such as squid or ballyhoo; no selling fish food from boats; commercial tours need an annual DoE licence. Ray handling must follow the National Conservation Council guidance notes. Crowded with tour boats late morning; go early or late.
Best for
The signature Cayman wildlife encounter