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Why Stingray City Sandbars Are A Grand Cayman Must

As you are planning your Grand Cayman itinerary, consider adding Stingray City Sandbar to the list. There are actually two famous sandbars surrounded by crystal-clear tropical waters off Grand Cayman, both of which provide adventures you and your fellow travel buddies will always remember. Take a moment to learn what makes Stingray City so special before exploring tour options.

A Quick History

Once upon a time, it was common for fishermen returning home for the day to anchor their boats in North Sound to clean their catch. The shallow, well-protected area located behind Barrier Reef avoided the splash and crash of waves, and soon a second area became a popular fisherman spot. Stingrays started gathering in the shallows to feast on the fish bits the men threw back into the water, which became a late afternoon ritual that went on for years. In 1981 a couple of dive instructors decided to pay the rays a visit. They brought cameras and lots of squid parts with them and found the rays to be shy and in no way aggressive.

By 1986 one of the instructors penned an article called “The Valley of the Rays,” which then became known as Stingray City. It also got the moniker ‘Stingray City Sandbar,’ and became one of Grand Cayman’s most popular snorkeling and scuba diving sites.

Typical Stingray City Sandbar Trips

If visiting these gentle giants sounds intriguing, there are many tour options to select from. “Breakfast” tours in the mornings are available, as are all-day trips. Day-long trips usually include visits to some of Grand Cayman’s most famous attractions in addition to Stingray City, such as the famous and beautiful Rum Point Beach. Depending on what tour you select, you will enjoy activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and kayaking. Drinks and food are also available on board your chosen caterman. Some include access to a fully-stocked bar.

These tours allow you to interact with the curious and playful rays that are adorably known as the “puppies of the sea.” Feed and pet them–they love it as much as you will!

Is a tour of Stingray City a Grand Cayman must? South Beach Bay Club recommends tours through Red Sail Sports, the tourism company that has kept the adventure going since 1987. Contact South Beach Bay Club today to make your resort reservation and learn more about Red Sail Sports.

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  • August 9th, 2019
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Grand Cayman – Paradise for Families

Grand Cayman is home to one of the most beautiful and well-known beaches in the world: 7 Mile Beach.  It is a place where time stands still and conch is the catch of the day.  If you are visiting Grand Cayman in search of clear aqua blue waters, soft white sand, and soca music, you will not be disappointed.  But Grand Cayman has more to offer families than just languishing in the sun.  Try these activities during your stay:

  • The Jolly Roger Pirate Experience – Have you ever wondered what being on a pirate ship might be like?  Find out in Grand Cayman!  Enjoy a sword fighting, swashbuckling pirate show in the Caribbean.
  • Visit Stingray City – This excursion is fun for everyone.  Located on the North Sound, Stingray City is home to just under 100 wild stingrays.  Mingle with the stingrays while standing on a sandbar in the middle of the sea. These gentle giants are incredibly friendly and love to be fed.  A visit to Stingray City is only a sensory experience that you will not soon forget.
  • Swim with the dolphins – Dolphin Cove and Dolphin Discovery offer the opportunity for you to swim with the dolphins.  The perfect excursion for children of all ages, the parks both have other opportunities to see exotic wildlife and sea life in lieu of swimming.
  • See Grand Cayman by helicopter – Children and parents alike will enjoy soaring above the beaches and mangroves below to see the island in a unique way. 
  • Snorkel at Rum Point – Enjoy some of the most shallow and clear water on the island.
  • Cayman Motor Museum – If you are looking for an activity away from the water and sand, head over to the West Bay and visit the Cayman Motor Museum.  The kids will love seeing the bat mobile that was produced for the 1960s TV Series, “Batman”. 
  • Try a water sport together -There are so many things you can do on the beach to spend a day.  Snorkeling is a favorite for all ages, riding Jet Skis, paddle boarding, banana boating, parasailing – the list goes on and on.  Make sure to collect seashells along the way to commemorate your day at the beach.

Grand Cayman is a fantastic place to spend your family vacation.  Playing in the sun, meeting new people, and having unique experiences are part of what life is all about.  You can do all those things and more in Grand Cayman, the jewel in the Caribbean Sea.

 

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  • March 29th, 2016