Kayaking in Grand Cayman: Stingray City & Coral Gardens

Paddle into shallow water where stingrays glide beneath your kayak.

Kayak and snorkel tour in Grand Cayman visiting Stingray City, Starfish Beach, Coral Gardens and other island sites, with a live guide in English or Spanish, boat and bus transport, snorkel gear, and a photographer on board. The tour runs two to five hours depending on which of six route options you pick at checkout. Round-trip transportation can be arranged if you need it. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns. Moderate fitness helps.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Stingray City and Snorkel

• Interact with Southern Stingrays
• Snorkel at Stingray City

The experience

You arrive at the dock and board a boat with a small group (the operator structures pricing per twenty people) heading out to the sites. A live guide leads the day in English or Spanish, and a photographer travels with you to capture the moments. You'll paddle a kayak through shallow waters at Stingray City, where you interact with Southern Stingrays and snorkel, then move through the other stops your chosen option includes: Starfish Beach, Coral Gardens, the Barrier Reef, mangroves, or Kaibo Beach Bar and Grill for island highlights. The boat carries snorkel gear, bottled water, iced drinking water and fruit punch throughout.

Six route options let you shape the day: Reef Fishing, Island Highlights, Captain's VIP Snorkel, Stingray Starfish & Kayak, Stingray & Mangrove Kayak, or Your Day Your Way. Each combines different sites and activities, so you pick based on what draws you, whether that's the stingrays, the reef, the mangroves or a mix. The whole experience runs somewhere between two and five hours depending on which route you choose and how many stops you make.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible. If you're arriving by ship, the Back to Ship Guarantee means you'll make it back in time. If you need round-trip transportation from your hotel or meeting point, you can arrange that at checkout. Bring your own towels and sunblock. A photographer is on board, and you can purchase photos once you're out on the water.

What’s included

• Snorkel gear.
• bottled water and iced drinking water.
• fruit punch.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• a photographer on board.
• boat and bus transport to the sites.
• back to ship guarantee for guests using the tour's transportation.

Options for this experience

6 options

Captain's VIP SnorkelUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeThree snorkel stops at the best spots in the North Sound.

Your Way, Your DayUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timePrivate boat trip with snorkeling, swimming, Stingray City, a boat ride, a sunset cruise and dinner at Kaibo. Enjoy the water however you like.

Reef FishingUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeSpend the day or night reef fishing in the safe harbor and barrier reef, using handlines.

See 3 more options

Stingray and mangrove kayak tourUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeStingrays and adventure: Swim with the rays and kayak through our mangrove forest. Pickup is included.

Island highlightsUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeIsland tour, land and sea expedition: Take in the island's highlights from a seat in an air-conditioned bus, then go out by boat to see its top attraction. Pickup is included.

Stingray, starfish and kayak experienceUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeSwim with stingrays, visit starfish, and paddle through a bioluminescent bay, all in one tour.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Anchor Tours

Is this one for you?Pick one of the six route options based on what calls to you: stingrays alone, a reef focus, mangrove kayaking, or a mix of all three. The guide and photographer travel with the group, so you're not navigating solo, and the duration shifts with your choice, letting you fit the tour into a port call or a free afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 happens when I kayak at Stingray City?

Stingray City is a shallow sandbar where you paddle your kayak and interact with Southern Stingrays in their natural habitat, then snorkel in the same area. The guide leads the experience and the water is calm enough for the activity to happen from the kayak.

Do I need my own kayak or snorkel gear?

Snorkel gear is included with every option. Kayaks are provided as part of the tour. You don't bring your own.

Which route option should I pick if I want to see stingrays and kayak through mangroves?

The Stingray & Mangrove Kayak option combines both. If you want stingrays, starfish and kayaking all in one day, the Stingray Starfish & Kayak option covers those three.

Is there a guide with the group the whole time?

Yes, a live guide in English or Spanish leads the tour throughout, and a photographer travels with the group to capture photos you can purchase on board.

How long does the whole thing take?

The tour runs between two and five hours depending on which route option you choose and how many stops are included in that itinerary.

What if I'm arriving on a cruise ship? Will I make it back in time?

The Back to Ship Guarantee applies to guests using the tour's transportation, so you'll return to the dock in time for your departure. If you're not using the included transport, you'll need to arrange your own way back.