Photo of the Day – Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Located in the shallow waters off Grand Cayman’s North Sound, Stingray City is a string of sandbars that passes through a natural channel just inside the island’s barrier reef.

What’s the history of Stingray City?

As the story goes, the area became popular with the rays decades ago when local fisherman would stop in the calm, shallow waters to clean their day’s catch.

When they tossed the fish guts and squid into the water it attracted the stingrays who eventually began to associate the sound of a boat engine with a free meal.

How did Stingray City become a tourist attraction?

Over the years, divers realized the stingrays could be fed by hand and began bringing visitors to the sand bars.

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Today, a variety of boats ferry visitors to the area to let them feed the stingrays and get a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. It’s the rare chance to interact one-on-one with the friendly rays that makes Stingray City Grand Cayman’s most popular attraction.

What’s the best time of day to visit Stingray City?

If you’re staying a few days on Grand Cayman, definitely try to visit when there are no cruise ships in port.

Of course, if you’re visiting the island on a cruise ship like I did, well, you’ll likely have to suffer the crowds.

But even with the throng of fellow tourists, Stingray City is still well worth a visit.