Grand Cayman: Private Charter to Stingray City & Starfish Point

Summary

Stingrays glide past at the sandbar while starfish dot the shore

You’ll stand on a sandbar with stingrays swirling around your legs, snorkel through lively coral reefs near Rum Point with your guide close by, and wander shallow waters dotted with red starfish at Starfish Point. Every stop feels personal and unrushed—a chance to see Grand Cayman’s quieter side with locals who know every ripple.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to be standing in warm waist-deep water with a stingray named Big Mama brushing past my knees. The boat ride out from Grand Cayman was already something—salty air, that low hum of the engine, and our captain chatting about which rays might show up today (he swore Darth Vader was the shy one). When we reached Stingray City, it was just us and this patch of bright turquoise, with the city’s name making way more sense once you’re surrounded by those gentle, pancake-shaped creatures. The captain handed me a bit of squid and, honestly, I hesitated—my hands smelled like the sea for hours after but I’d do it again.

After that, we cruised over to a reef near Rum Point. The first mate—her name was Lani—slipped into the water first and waved us in. She pointed out these tiny electric-blue fish darting through coral fingers. I kept losing track of time because every turn had something new: soft fans waving in the current, sunlight flickering down in stripes. At some point I realized I’d stopped thinking about anything else except what was right there under my mask. If you’ve never done a day trip to Stingray City from Grand Cayman before, it’s kind of hard to explain how quiet it feels out there—even with laughter echoing from our group.

Starfish Point was last. It’s not really a “point” so much as this lazy curve of sand where red cushion starfish settle just under the surface. We waded around slowly (the water was warm but not hot), careful not to disturb them. One of them looked almost fake—like someone left a souvenir behind—but Lani showed me how their little tube feet move if you watch close enough. There were some kids from another boat nearby who kept squealing every time they found one; made me laugh too.

If you do the longer charter option you get lunch at Rum Point or Kaibo—our group chose Kaibo for grilled fish and cold drinks before heading back (I could’ve stayed all afternoon). The whole thing felt relaxed but kind of electric at the same time? Hard to pin down. Even now I catch myself remembering how soft those rays felt or how bright everything looked when we pulled away from Starfish Point. You know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private charter snorkeling and beach visit

• Visit Stingray City sandbar
• Snorkel at coral reef
• Explore Starfish Point beach

Top questions

How many people can join this private charter?

The boat accommodates up to 12 guests per charter.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this tour?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included for all guests.

What stops are included on this Grand Cayman private charter?

The tour visits Stingray City sandbar, a coral reef near Rum Point for snorkeling, and Starfish Point beach.

Can we have lunch during the charter?

Lunch stops at Rum Point or Kaibo are available on 6- or 8-hour charters.

Is this tour suitable for kids or non-swimmers?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels; guides assist in the water as needed.

Are drinks included on board?

Bottled water and soda are included throughout your trip.

Is fishing gear available during the trip?

Fishing gear can be provided upon request—just ask when booking.

Who leads the encounters with stingrays?

Your local captain has over 10 years’ experience working with stingrays and will guide you safely during encounters.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water and soda on board, use of all snorkeling equipment (no need to bring your own), food for feeding stingrays at Stingray City, restroom access on the boat, plus guidance from an experienced local captain and first mate throughout each stop—from coral reef snorkeling near Rum Point to wading at Starfish Point before heading back ashore together.