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Person snorkeling alongside a stingray in crystal clear waters. Perfect for travel and marine life enthusiasts.
📷 Holger Wulschlaeger · Pexels

Stingray City (Grand Cayman)

Shallow, beginner-friendly dive with friendly stingrays in 3–4 meters. Located near Rum Point, Grand Cayman.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Depth
3–4 m
Shore entryFamily-friendlyBeginnerMacroFocus

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Depth
3–4 m
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.6 kn
Wave
0.72 m
Water
31.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (35%)
Now: ENE (68°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.31m

Next: High at 03:00 (+0.34m)

+0.5 m+0.2 m
▲ 03:00 · +0.34m ▼ 11:00 · +0.19m ▲ 17:00 · +0.39m ▼ 23:00 · +0.24m Now +0.3m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV7.45 · high Air PM2.58 · good 06:13 18:24
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 8.1 0.74 7 7mm
09-19 9 0.78 6 4mm
09-20 9.4 0.8 8 3mm
09-21 10.5 0.8 9 12mm
09-22 10.8 0.96 5 25mm
09-23 8.4 0.84 2 15mm
09-24 7.5 0.66 5 4mm

About this spot

Stingray City sits in shallow water off Grand Cayman's north shore, near Rum Point. You'll dive in 3 to 4 meters—perfect for new divers and snorkelers alike. The main draw is interaction with southern stingrays that have grown accustomed to human visitors. These rays are docile and curious, making for memorable encounters at a relaxed pace. The site works year-round, so you can plan your trip around other Caribbean activities or weather preferences. Entry is straightforward from a boat, and the sandy bottom with scattered coral heads offers a safe, forgiving environment. Local operators know the site well and can guide you through proper ray etiquette—gentle touches, no grabbing. Visibility and water temperature vary seasonally, so check with local dive operators before you book. The site sits outside any marine protected area, making access straightforward. It's an excellent first dive for beginners or a relaxing option for families wanting something less technical.

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

BoatReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 7707km · ~1773kg · €32

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 93/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 0h

FAQ

What's the best time to dive Stingray City?

The site operates year-round. Check with local operators for visibility and water temperature conditions when planning your trip, as these vary seasonally.

Is this a good beginner dive?

Yes. The 3–4 meter depth, sandy bottom, and slow pace make it ideal for new divers and snorkelers. No advanced skills are needed.

What marine life will I see?

Southern stingrays are the main attraction. You'll also encounter small fish, rays, and occasional reef species among the coral heads and sand.

Do I need permits or special access?

The site is outside a marine protected area, so no special permits are required. Book with a local dive operator for safe, legal access.

Verified marine species observations

85 records · 50 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Haliclona tubifera

Demospongiae · Chalinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Oscarella minka

Homoscleromorpha · Oscarellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Elysia crispata

Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×5records

Chondrilla caribensis

Demospongiae · Chondrillidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×2records

Pseudocorynactis caribbeorum

Anthozoa · Corallimorphidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×2records

Stenorhynchus seticornis

Malacostraca · Inachoididae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×2records

Agelas schmidtii

Demospongiae · Agelasidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×1records

Gorgonia ventalina

Anthozoa · Gorgoniidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×1records

Elysia cornigera

Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×1records

Niphates erecta

Demospongiae · Niphatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
23 Jan 2026
×1records

Aiolochroia crassa

Demospongiae · Aplysinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Jan 2026
×3records

Spirastrella hartmani

Demospongiae · Spirastrellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Jan 2026
×3records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Scuba Diving Magazine

Best Stingray City Tours In The Cayman Islands | Captain Marvin's

Captain Marvins Cayman

Scuba Diving Stingray City Grand Cayman HD

MrScubafan

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Babylon (East End, Grand Cayman)

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Advanced 18–36m

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