Stingray City & Starfish Point Tour: Hold wild stingrays
Hold wild stingrays that swim like sea puppies, then snorkel coral gardens
You'll wade into Stingray City to touch and feed wild stingrays, ride across the North Sound to Starfish Point to see starfish on a sandbar, then snorkel Coral Gardens over coral heads and tropical fish. Free pickup from your cruise ship or hotel, plus all snorkeling gear, life vests, and squid for stingray feeding. The whole outing takes about three to four hours from pier to pier.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Stingray City and Coral Gardens
- Visit Stingray City and interact with stingrays
- Travel to Starfish Point and relax
- Snorkel at Coral Gardens underwater park
- Stingray City 40m
- Starfish Point 20m
What’s included
Your day includes free pickup and drop-off from your cruise ship or hotel, snorkeling equipment and life vests for all three stops, squid for feeding the stingrays at Stingray City, and bottled water and soda throughout the outing.
Times
- Every day 09:00 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Rowan Watersports Ltd.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
What's it like to stand waist-deep in crystal water while a wild stingray glides past your legs? That's the first thing that happens on this Grand Cayman tour, not after a long boat ride or a safety briefing, but pretty much right away at Stingray City. The stingrays here aren't penned or trained in the way you'd expect. They've been interacting with people for decades, so they come and go as they please. You can hold them, feed them (squid is included), even kiss one if you want the photo. They move like curious sea pancakes, which is honestly what the crew calls them, and the whole thing feels less like a zoo visit and more like you've stumbled into their world.
After Stingray City, the boat crosses the North Sound for about 30 minutes to Starfish Point, which is the calm part of the day. You step straight from the vessel onto a sandbar (the exact spot depends on wind and tide), and the starfish are just there, moving slowly across the sand while you watch and hold them. It's the kind of moment where you stop thinking about the itinerary and just stand there. The crew talks you through what you're seeing, and there's no rush. Then comes Coral Gardens, the snorkeling stop, where you're swimming over coral heads and spotting tropical fish. If you're not a strong swimmer, the crew will fit you with a floaty before you get in, so that part isn't stressful.
The whole thing runs about three to four hours from the time you leave the cruise pier or your hotel. Free pickup happens at both: 15 minutes by bus to the marina, then the boat ride starts. Snorkeling gear and life vests are included, as is bottled water and soda. The company is family-owned and has been running these excursions for over 20 years, so the rhythm of the day feels practiced but not rushed. You're back at the pier or hotel by early afternoon, which means the rest of your day in Grand Cayman is still yours.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want the signature Grand Cayman experience (touching wild stingrays and seeing starfish) without arranging your own boat or timing the tides. The fixed schedule and included pickup mean you just show up and the crew handles the rest.
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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.
Do the stingrays bite or sting?
No. The stingrays at Stingray City are wild but habituated to human interaction over many decades. They're curious and will swim around you, but they don't bite or use their barbs on people. You can hold and feed them safely.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. Free snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided for all guests. If you're not a strong swimmer, let the crew know and they'll fit you with a floaty.
How long is the boat ride?
Transit from the marina to Stingray City is about 30 minutes. The ride from Stingray City to Starfish Point is another 30 minutes. The return to the marina takes about 45 minutes.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are included from cruise ports and local hotels. The bus ride to the marina takes about 15 minutes.
What's included in the price?
Free hotel or cruise pier pickup and drop-off, snorkeling equipment, life vests, squid for stingray feeding, and bottled water and soda.
How long is the whole tour?
About three to four hours total, including transit time from the pier or hotel, all three stops, and the return journey.
What if I'm not a confident swimmer?
Tell the crew before you enter the water at Coral Gardens, and they'll provide a floaty. You can also stay in the shallows at Stingray City and Starfish Point, where the water is waist-deep.
Stingray City & Starfish Point Tour: Hold wild stingrays
3h 30m · EN
from US$ 80 per person
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