Grand Cayman Snorkeling: Private Stingray City & Starfish Beach

Four stops in the North Sound, one boat, no crowds

Private snorkeling in Grand Cayman combines four stops in the protected North Sound: Stingray City for hands-on interaction with stingrays, Coral Gardens for reef snorkeling, lunch at Kaibo beach bar and grill, and Starfish Beach for wading among red and orange starfish. Your captain navigates the route, briefs you before each water entry, and provides all snorkel gear, life jackets and refreshments on board.

The experience

What makes this different from the crowded group boats is the boat itself: a Chaparral 274 with room for up to 11 guests, newly renovated seats, a heavy-duty ladder that makes water entry easy, and a restroom on board. You get to choose the order of your stops once you arrive, so if Stingray City matters most, you do that first. The captain picks you up from the 7 Mile Beach area or the cruise ship port, gives a safety briefing at the Cayman Islands Yacht Club, and heads into the North Sound, which sits behind the barrier reef and stays calm. On the way out, he talks about the island's history.

At Stingray City, the sand bar in shallow water, you'll hold and feed the stingrays by hand. They're accustomed to visitors and gentle. Many people get a stingray back massage or a kiss, which locals say brings seven years of good luck. Then you move to Coral Gardens, where the water runs 8 to 10 feet deep and tropical fish swarm the colorful coral. You might spot a sea eel or a Cayman lobster. Before each water entry, the captain briefs the group so everyone knows what to expect and feels comfortable.

Lunch happens at Kaibo beach bar and grill, a casual spot right on the water where you have an hour to eat and drink. Starfish Beach, about 10 minutes by boat from Stingray City, is the quieter finale: a shallow shoreline where red and orange starfish dot the sand, ideal for photos and wading. The boat carries snorkel equipment and life jackets for everyone, plus a cooler stocked with ice, water and sodas. You're welcome to bring your own food or drinks as well.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• snorkel equipment and life jackets for everyone.
• bottled water, ice, and sodas on board.
• food for the stingrays.
• free transportation from 7 Mile Beach or the cruise ship port.
• restroom on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Island Splash Watersports

Is this one for you?The boat holds up to 11 guests and you control the order of stops, so you avoid the large group boats at each site: Stingray City and Starfish Beach stay quieter and less rushed. If you're arriving by cruise ship, provide your ship name and docking details at booking so the captain can time your return to your re-boarding window.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's it like to hold and feed stingrays at Stingray City?

Stingray City sits on a sand bar in shallow water where stingrays gather regularly and are accustomed to visitors. You stand in the water and hand-feed them. They're gentle and often approach close enough for you to touch them. Many visitors report getting a stingray back massage or a kiss during the interaction.

How deep is the water at Coral Gardens, and what will I see there?

Coral Gardens runs 8 to 10 feet deep and is suited to average snorkelers. The reef holds colorful coral and attracts tropical fish that feed readily, and you may see a sea eel or Cayman lobster among them.

Do I need my own snorkel gear, or is it provided?

The boat carries snorkel equipment and life jackets for everyone, so you don't need to bring your own. The captain briefs you before each water entry to make sure you're comfortable with the gear and the conditions.

How long is the boat ride to Starfish Beach from Stingray City?

Starfish Beach is about 10 minutes by boat from Stingray City. It's a shallow, quiet shoreline where red and orange starfish live in the sand, making it a good spot for wading and photos.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch happens at Kaibo beach bar and grill, a casual dining spot on the water's edge where you'll have an hour to eat and drink. You choose and pay for your own food and beverages there.