Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: Hold & Feed Stingrays

Hold a stingray in the shallows, then watch the sunset from the boat on the way back.

A 2-hour catamaran tour from Grand Cayman to Stingray City Sandbar, where you wade into shallow water to hold, feed and interact with stingrays, or stay aboard to watch from the deck. The Buccaneer is a stable 50-foot catamaran, so seasickness is unlikely. Life vests, squid for feeding, soda, water and fruit punch are included. The tour suits all ages and fitness levels: no strong swimming required, and you can stay dry if you prefer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran tour and stingray interaction

• Board Buccaneer Catamaran
• Sail to Stingray City Sandbar
• Hold, feed, and kiss stingrays
• Enjoy marine life and Caribbean waters
• Stay dry and view stingrays from boat
• Relax during sunset return to marina

The experience

Can you actually touch a stingray? Yes, the whole point of Stingray City is wading into waist-deep water where the stingrays glide around your legs. You hold them, feed them squid, and some people kiss them for luck. The sandbar sits in calm, shallow water off Grand Cayman, so the experience is gentle rather than thrilling. If you don't want to get wet, stay on the Buccaneer and watch from the deck. The stingrays are visible from above, and you get the same sunset ride back.

The catamaran leaves the marina and takes about 45 minutes to reach the sandbar. Once there, you spend roughly 45 minutes in the water with the stingrays: long enough to get comfortable but not so long that the novelty wears thin. A guide is aboard to show you how to hold them safely and hand out squid. The boat carries life vests for everyone, and the crew keeps an eye on the group. On the return, you're back on deck as the sun drops, and the ride back to the marina takes the remaining time.

The 10-minute drive from most Grand Cayman hotels means you're not spending half the day in transit. Infants and small children can come along. They can stay aboard or wade in with an adult. The tour runs for all ages, from young children to grandparents, and the operator notes that you don't need to be a strong swimmer. Soda, water and cold fruit punch are on board, so you're not thirsty between the sandbar and the sunset.

What’s included

• Life vests for all passengers.
• squid to feed the stingrays.
• soda, bottled water and cold fruit punch.
• a restroom on board.
• a live English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 16:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 30

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Acquarius Sea Tours

Is this one for you?At 2 hours total, this tour leaves most of your day free. You're back at the marina by early evening, with time for dinner or another activity. The shallow water and stable catamaran mean you're not fighting seasickness or strong currents, so the focus stays on the stingrays rather than the conditions.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 exactly do you do with the stingrays at Stingray City?

You wade into shallow water and hold the stingrays as they swim around you, feed them squid by hand, and some visitors kiss them for good luck. The stingrays are accustomed to human contact and are described as friendly. You can stay in the water for about 45 minutes during the tour.

Do I have to get in the water, or can I stay on the boat?

You can stay aboard the Buccaneer if you prefer to stay dry. The stingrays are visible from the deck, and you'll still see the sunset on the return journey. The tour is designed so that staying aboard is a real option, not an afterthought.

How long is the whole tour, and when does it leave?

The tour is 2 hours total. The catamaran leaves from the marina, takes about 45 minutes to reach Stingray City Sandbar, spends roughly 45 minutes at the sandbar, and returns as the sun sets.

What's included in the tour price?

Life vests, squid to feed the stingrays, soda, bottled water and cold fruit punch are included. A live English-speaking guide is aboard to show you how to handle the stingrays safely.

How far is the marina from my hotel?

The operator notes a convenient 10-minute drive from Grand Cayman hotels and condos to the marina. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer not to drive.