Stingray City Grand Cayman

Stingray City Grand Cayman Reviews

An Experience of a Lifetime!!

Stingray City Grand Cayman is your source for an adventure of a lifetime! Whether your pleasure is snorkeling in the amazing turquoise waters of the Cayman Islands or interacting with friendly stingrays at the world-famous Stingray City, we guarantee you’ll have an experience of a lifetime, Cayman-Style!

As your best source of adventure, sun and fun, Stingray City Grand Cayman specializes in Stingray City, snorkeling and fishing excursions.  Stingray City Grand Cayman offers these tours on a general basis(where you are joined by others) or as a private tour(just your group).  Our boats are crewed exclusively by Caribbean natives – lively, interesting locals who love to share their knowledge of the islands with you.  We believe that smaller groups, of up to 25 guests, allow for a more enjoyable, personalized experience.

The waters here around the Cayman Islands are famous for its complete clarity, dazzling, colorful marine life and coral reef formations.  Stingray City here in Grand Cayman is also the only place in the world as a shallow sand bar located in the open water approximately 2 miles offshore from the nearest point of land where you can pet, feed and interact with these very friendly and docile stingrays in the wild.  These friendly creatures are interacted with in their natural habitat and, as such, are unaltered – stingers attached! Guests booking with Stingray City Grand Cayman will experience personalized, authentic Cayman adventures that no other tour company offers.

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About Us

Native Cayman Experience and Personalized Service

Stingray City Grand Cayman is operated as Native Way Watersports.

Founded in 1999, Native Way Watersports is family-owned and offers a range of watersports in Grand Cayman, from Stingray City excursions to snorkeling tours, charter fishing, private boat trips and more.

Eldon Ebanks and Sharon Heard-Ebanks are the hands-on owners and operators of Native Way.  A native Caymanian, Eldon grew up on the water and has over 30 years of experience in watersports.  Sharon, a former New Yorker, has 25 years of experience in the service industry.

At Native Way Watersports, you’re guaranteed a personalized experience. Unlike our competitors, who often fill their boats to capacity, we host a maximum of 25 guests per tour. The result is an authentic, intimate excursion, guided by Cayman natives, complete with fantastic customer service.

Read Our Reviews from our happy customers or learn more about our fleet of boats. Click here to book your excursion today!

Stingray City Grand Cayman Reviews

Our Reviews

Stingray City Grand Cayman - Tour Excursion
Amazing charter experience for family

Charles and Brent were incredible! We booked a tour with them and they really took care of our family. We were able to tweak the day based on what our preferences are. The stingrays at Stingray City were incredible! Brent even made a fresh marinated conch salad on the ride back. Highly highly recommend!

JLW New York City, NY – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 07/01/2023

The BEST in Grand Cayman

Native Way Watersports is the BEST excursion! I’ve used them several times when visiting Grand Cayman and each time has been great. Sharon absolutely moved mountains this last time to ensure that my family had a great trip. She’s amazing 😊 (Tour Date: June 2022)

 Candace745. Tulsa Ok. – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 26/07/2022

Native Way Watersports is the BEST excursion!

Native Way Watersports is the BEST excursion! I’ve used them several times when visiting Grand Cayman and each time has been great. Sharon absolutely moved mountains this last time to ensure that my family had a great trip. She’s amazing 😊

Candace Ritch – (Source: FaceBook) – 26/07/2022

Perfect excursion.

12/2022 – Amazing trip to Grand Cayman due to CHARLIE and BRENT with Native Way! Stingrays, Coral Reef and Starfish. Great team, plenty of time at each location and super boat ride. We had plenty of room on the boat. Overall fantastic excursion! Thank you Sharon for helping me coordinate for our family of 15.

Candace Ritch – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 25/12/2022

Private tour Rays Reef and Rum Point

We were a group of 14 on the NCL BREAKAWAY. We took the tender over and Sharon met us under the white tents right at the port. We were bussed to a marina about 10 min away and off we went. Sheldon took amazing care of us. We saw the rays and then took us to a reef where there were hundreds of fish. We ended at rum point for lunch and it was the best food. We have been on 16 years of excursions and this was at the top! Thank you for an amazing trip. It was the highlight of my sons cruise!

Molly P. – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 08/03/2020

Highlight of our cruise

We made an independent reservation with Sharon for the “Rays, Reef and Rum Point Tour”. Sharon met us at a table set up at the port upon arrival. We took a short van ride to the Grand Cayman Yacht Club. Our boat and crew were waiting to take us on our adventure! After our safety instructions we headed out to Stingray City! (They also had a cooler of punch for us on the boat.) Our guides were the best! We noticed many large tour companies with a lot of customers but we only had 13 on our boat. This allowed us a lot of personalization and time with the rays. It was amazing! I was a little nervous but Ralph was so good with the rays and made me feel more confident. After our ray encounter we headed to the reef for some snorkeling. Again safety was a priority and we enjoyed our snorkeling time. The water was beautiful crystal blue. Then we headed to Rum Point where lunch was ready and waiting for us! It was delicious and the beach was very relaxing. We really enjoyed our day with this tour company and highly recommend them. Looking back, we think this was our favorite excursion! Thank you Sharon and crew for making our trip to Grand Cayman so memorable!

(Tour Date: Jan 2020)

D. Rogers – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 21/04/2020

UNTITLED REVIEW

I just wanted to let you both know what a wonderful time my husband and I had on the Rays, Reef and Rum Point tour. This excursion was the highlight of our cruise vacation and my husband and I agree that we definitely made the right choice when we chose Native Way. Chris and Moses were the perfect guides. They were both very professional and all around wonderful making the tour that much more enjoyable. Please give them a big hello from us! Thank you for a great tour and your hospitality when we came to “paradise”, Grand Cayman!

Eshe and Sam Faulcon – (Source: TripAdvisor) 31/05/2017

A must do excursion!

Booked this Stingray, Snorkel and Rum Point Beach excursion during our cruise last week. Transportation and coordination from dock to tour was well organized. Chris & David were attentive to everyone’s needs regardless of age or ability. Our excursion was a large group of 30 people and they were professional and made everyone comfortable. They ensured everyone had the opportunity and enough to spend time with the Stingrays, and snorkel. Rum Point beach stop was planned nicely and food was delicious and prepared as soon as we arrived. This was our favorite excursion that we’ve ever done through a cruise line and would highly recommend.

Michael R, Omaha, NE – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 17/02/2020

UNTITLED REVIEW

I just wanted to say THANK YOU sooo much for the terrific boat trip to see the stingrays and to the reef! We all had such an unforgettable experience. Truly something magical! I did purchase the DVD of our adventure – so I will surely use the shots of us snorkeling in the news feature piece we are doing for CBS on Great Adventures Getaways. I will (no doubt) give a big shout out to Native Way. Again thanks so much for the terrific morning. Your crew was OUTSTANDING.

Lisa Petrillo – CBS Miami – (Source: TripAdvisor) 10/05/2017

Great price and nice people.

Don’t book through the cruise line. Use this company. The tour to swim with Stingrays was amazing. Snorkeled with barracuda, sea turtles and star fish. Got a close up view of a Portuguese man o War. Beautiful but deadly. 3 crew on this boat and only 5 of us. They spent plenty of one on one time with us. We brought our own snorkels but they will provide along with floatation included with price. Bathroom onboard. They also provided water and other drinks. Highly recommended (5 Stars)

Teddy Gray – (Source: TripAdvisor) – 31/01/2020

UNTITLED REVIEW

The tour was everything we expected and more. The boat was roomy and not overcrowded, the crew was outstanding and the 3 locations were wonderful. We will definitely use your company the next time we are in Grand Cayman. We will also happily recommend your services to anyone who asks.

John Kelleher and Family -(Source: TripAdvisor) 11/05/2017

UNTITLED REVIEW

Thank you for the wonderful time we had with the stingrays, snorkeling and at Rum Point. Our group of 8 will never forget it. The boat and crew were fantastic. We loved the interaction and friendliness and their patience and helpfulness that made this excursion the highlight of our Caribbean cruise.

Lynn Gerrish – (Source: TripAdvisor) 01/05/2017

UNTITLED REVIEW

Just wanted to send a quick message to you all. This will be my 6th time out with your tour group and wanted to take a moment to thank you for those great tours, the best day of our vacation each time. Looking forward to seeing your familiar faces.

Thanks again – Kerry Weaver – (Source: TripAdvisor) 07/07/2017

Stingray City Grand Cayman Reviews

Our Tours

Discover the often overlooked land-based treasures of the island and experience the thrill of swimming with the ‘rays at Stingray City Sandbar, all in one excursion.

Our favorite land and sea option combines Native Way’s Grand Island Tour with a trip to Stingray Sandbar, the only place in the world where you can not only see, but swim among, up to 40 Southern Atlantic stingrays.

Our modern, air-conditioned buses, and friendly local guides, will take you to the world-famous Turtle Farm, Tortuga Rum Factory, 7 Mile Beach, and Governor’s House. You’ll also go to Hell and back, but only after cooling off in the crystal-clear, calm waters of Stingray City. You are able to swim under, over and among the rays, and our instructors will show you how to pet, hand-feed and snorkel alongside these friendly creatures.

10:00am – 2:00pm*

11:30am – 3:30pm* Friday

Leave the crowds behind and enjoy a full day of island fun and adventure on our ’Rays, Reef and Rum Point excursion! Swim under, over and among dozens of friendly ‘rays at Stingray Sandbar, snorkel amidst the Barrier Reef’s stunning marine life and enjoy the turquoise waters and quiet, unspoiled beaches of Rum Point all in one day, the Native Way.

A favourite among adventurers of all ages, this popular excursion is limited to groups of 25 guests – never more. It’s led by experienced, lively local guides and includes a generous picnic lunch (for you, plus a special meal for the stingrays!) and plenty of beverages.
Stingray Sandbar

The Stingray City Sandbar, located inside the Barrier Reef, is teeming with Southern Atlantic stingrays, some of the friendliest sea creatures in the world. Enjoy the thrill of swimming with and feeding the ‘rays at the only place in the world where you can do so. Native Way instructors will show you how to safely pet, hand-feed and snorkel alongside these velvety-smooth creatures with whip-like tails.

Get ready for an exciting, unique adventure as you swim among the stingrays — some of the most docile sea creatures in the world! Featured in National Geographic Magazine, Stingray City is the Cayman Islands’ most popular site. Here, 30 to 40 gentle Southern Atlantic stingrays swim freely in 3 to 5 feet of crystal-clear, current-free waters, waiting to see what you’ve brought them for lunch.

It was created by accident in the mid-80s when fishermen returning to port anchored in the calm waters of the Sound to clean their catch and discard bait overboard. The stingrays, drawn by the smell of the fish, quickly became accustomed to the “free meal” and stayed. Today, the rays regularly dine on squid provided by divers and snorkelers. Native Way instructors will show you how to interact with these incredible animals in the only place in the world where you can do so in the wild.

Rum Point Beach

Kick back at the picturesque Rum Point! Relax in a hammock or get off the beach and enjoy the water sports. Away from the crowds, this tranquil spot boasts shady picnic tables and pearly white sand, ideal for swimming, sunning or snoozing. The lagoon’s shallow, clear waters are perfect for children and novice swimmers.

9:00am – 2:15pm*

11:15am – 4:30pm*

11:30 am – 4:45 pm (Central Daylight Saving Time)

Star Fish Snorkel

This portion of the tour takes you to a magical location where you can snorkel above, and admire, huge, colourful star fish. Whether you personally dive down and retrieve them, or watch our guides bring them above water for you to look at, the experience can’t be beat.

9:15am – 12:30pm*

11:15am – 2:30pm*

11:30 – 2:45pm (Tuesdays, Wednesdays for Navigator of Seas & Disney Fantasy)**

* Times are Eastern Daylight Saving Time

** Times are Central Daylight Saving Time (ship time for Disney Fantasy)

Learn more about us and our affordable tours or view our fleet of boats and photo gallery to get a better look. Contact us today to book!

Coral Gardens

A coral reef covered in 10 feet of clear, turquoise water, Coral Gardens features some of the most spectacular formations found in the world. Here you’ll encounter an incredible variety of tropical fish, stunning Moray eels, amazing underwater plants and an array of other sea life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Stingrays Friendly?

Yes, these stingrays are completely docile, friendly and non-aggressive.  Will not attempt to harm people

What is Stingray City Sandbar?

Stingray City Sandbar is a waist-deep shallow sandbar in the middle of the open sea approximately 2 miles from the nearest point of land. The Bottom is pure, soft white sand.

Snorkeling & The Coral Gardens

Monitored snorkeling at the Coral Gardens at a depth of only 8 – 10 feet where you snorkel with a variety of friendly tropical fish.   Snorkel equipment is provided if you don’t have your own.

Star Fish & Starfish Point

Hang out with the Stars at Starfish Point where you get to interact and take photos with the starfish. Restrictions apply on taking the starfish out of the water. 

Can I Book a Private Charter?

Private Charters can be booked as full or half day which includes Stingrays, snorkeling, starfish or lunch at Rum Point.
The itinerary for these trips is based on where you want to go and what you want to do. We’ll make suggestions, you make the choice!

How Much Time is Required For Booking in Advance?

More time is better, but please allow for at least 72 hours advanced booking.

Do We Need Transport From The Ship or Hotel?

We provide transport from the cruise ship port facility as well as from you hotel or condo.

What Forms of Payment Are Accepted?

Payment can be made by cash or credit card.  We accept all cards except AmEx

Submit Your Booking Here


Stingray City Grand Cayman Reviews

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