Snorkeling in Grand Cayman: Private Catamaran to Stingray City

Snorkel the barrier reef, then watch stingrays in their own habitat

Private snorkeling on a 39-foot catamaran in Grand Cayman's North Sound, with a captain and guide who are the boat's owners. You snorkel at the barrier reef, the densest coral in Cayman, then visit Stingray City's three-foot sandbar to watch Southern Stingrays in their natural habitat, and finish at Starfish Point or a beachfront bar of your choice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Stingray City1h 20m · entry included
2. Starfish Point1h 20m · entry included

Explore Stingray City and Beaches

• Watch Southern Stingray at sandbar
• Relax and observe Red Cushion Sea Star
• Snorkel barrier reef or visit beach bars

The experience

How do you avoid the tour boats crowding the same three stops? You book the boat itself. Cobalt Custom Charters runs a private 39-foot Lagoon catamaran that holds up to 15 people and charges per group, not per head, so the itinerary is yours to shape. The two-person crew, the owners, decide the stops and the timing based on what you want to see that day. You get bottled water, ice and snorkel gear included. The boat carries a cooler so you can bring your own drinks and food, or you can anchor at Rum Point or Kaibo, both beachfront restaurants where you can order a cold drink and watch the horizon.

Stingray City is the centerpiece: a three-foot-deep sandbar in the North Sound where Southern Stingrays gather. The guide walks you through what to expect (they're comfortable with humans and the crew calls them "underwater puppies"), so you're not guessing when you're in the water with them. Starfish Point is the contrast: a tranquil beach where Red Cushion Sea Stars live in the shallows and you can wade and observe without the adrenaline. The barrier reef snorkel is where the coral density sets this spot apart. It's the highest concentration in all of Cayman, so the reef itself is the draw, not just the fish.

The catamaran departs for either a morning or afternoon charter, and the whole outing runs about four hours. You'll sign a liability waiver before boarding. Infants and small children can come along in a stroller or pram, and the crew says the experience suits all fitness levels. You're snorkeling and wading, not hiking or swimming hard.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment and safety gear.
• bottled water, cooler and ice.
• private 39-foot catamaran with captain and guide (both owner-operators).
• all stops at Stingray City, the barrier reef and either Starfish Point or a beachfront restaurant of your choice.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to4h 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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by Cobalt Custom Charters

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and is one of the boat's owners, so the commentary is direct and personal rather than scripted. You're getting the crew's own knowledge of the stingrays and the reef. Book this if you want the stops explained by someone who runs the boat, not a hired hand reading from a sheet.

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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 the water like at Stingray City when you're snorkeling with the stingrays?

Stingray City sits on a sandbar roughly three feet deep, so you're in shallow water the whole time. The stingrays are accustomed to human visitors and move around freely. The guide briefs you on how to move and interact so both you and the animals stay comfortable.

Can you choose which stops to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

The itinerary is yours to shape. Stingray City and the barrier reef are the core stops, but you can decide whether to finish at Starfish Point or at Rum Point or Kaibo beach bar, and the crew adjusts the route based on what you want to see that day.

What's included in the snorkel gear, and do you need to bring your own?

Snorkel equipment and safety gear are provided. You'll need to bring towels from your hotel or ship. The operator does not supply them. Rash guards (UPF-rated) are available for $45 USD each if you want one.

How many people fit on the boat, and does the price change if your group is smaller?

The 39-foot catamaran holds up to 15 people maximum, and the boat is charged per group, not per person. So whether you book for four people or fifteen, you're paying for the whole boat: smaller groups don't pay less, but they also don't share the boat with strangers.

What's the Red Cushion Sea Star at Starfish Point, and will you definitely see them?

The Red Cushion Sea Star is a species of sea star native to these waters and commonly found in the shallows at Starfish Point. The crew describes it as a relaxing stop where you can wade and observe the starfish in their habitat while enjoying the beach setting.