Stingray City

A series of sandbars in the north-east of the North Sound, just inside a channel through the barrier reef, where southern stingrays gather around boats for squid. Divers kneel on the deeper bar at about 3–4 m; a shallower bar (see Sandbar) lets visitors stand in waist-deep water. It is a Wildlife Interaction Zone; operators are licensed and a 2019 moratorium capped licence numbers.

Facts

• Region: Grand Cayman – Cayman Islands
• Area: North Sound & North Side
• Depth: 3–5 m
• Level: beginner
• Current: low
• Type: reef, manta
• Coordinates: 19.3757, -81.3048
• Highlights: southern stingrays, hand-fed rays, very shallow sand, wildlife interaction zone
• Tips: Only with a licensed operator. Wildlife Interaction Zone rules apply (no taking marine life; follow the guide's briefing). Rays are wild animals and can sting if stepped on – shuffle your feet.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stingray_City,_Grand_Cayman
• https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/03/15/marine-park-expansion-gazetted-2-years-after-cabinet-approval/
• https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/16/stingray-city-freeze-to-run-for-6-months/
• https://divernet.com/world-dives/cayman-islands-a-tale-of-three-islands/