Exploring the Treasures of Grand Cayman: Stingray City, Barrier Reef, and Starfish Point

Grand Cayman is pure bliss for nature lovers, and the popularity of Stingray City, Starfish Point, and the Barrier Reef give testament to that! Millions of people travel to these areas every year to get up close and personal with hundreds of marine life such as starfish, stingrays, turtles, sharks, and more.

Once You Step Off the Cruise Ship

Welcome to Grand Cayman, the largest island of a three island chain located in the western Caribbean Sea and a favorite stop for cruisers with its warm turquoise waves and white sandy beaches. The Cayman Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom with strong European, American, and Jamaican influences. 

The Cayman Islands have robust tourism and international banking sectors, and the official language is English. Visitors to these islands enjoy the island’s art, nature, traditional architecture, fresh seafood, and duty-free shopping that can be found here.

Discovering Stingray City

Located on Grand Cayman, this sandbar in North Sound has a treasure trove of stingrays so big the locals call it a city! These stingrays enjoy swimming and playing among groups of tourists who come from all over the world to interact with these beautiful creatures.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to hang out with these friendly animals, this is your chance! Stingrays are typically shy, and prefer to spend their days hiding from human interaction – but at Stingray City, they are used to the presence of humans, and will swim right up to you in search of food! They are also trained to give you a quick kiss on the cheek in exchange for a morsel or two of squid.

You’ll find that these animals are more than just a pretty face—they’re surprisingly intelligent and curious, with complex social behaviors and the ability to learn. They also have an impressive sense of smell, which comes in handy when hunting for fish and avoiding predators.

Fun facts:

• Stingrays have barbs on their tails to defend themselves against predators like sharks and other fish (but don’t worry — the ones at Stingray City have had their barbs removed)
• They are carnivores, eating a diet of squid, crabs, clams, and small fish
• Stingrays give birth to live offspring (as opposed to laying eggs)

Keep in mind:

• A stingray’s skin is very delicate, so you have to be very gentle with them
• Be prepared for crowds, especially on the sandbar

Unveiling the Beauty of the Barrier Reef

The Barrier Reef is a coral reef a few miles off the North Sound of Grand Cayman — which means you will need a boat to get to it. Oh, but when you do… you will be greeted by very healthy, active coral that juts out of the water in some places. Many tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, lobsters, conchs, sponges, and more await you as you snorkel through channels and along the reef walls.

The crystal clear waters here range from three to ten feet deep, so it is a great place for newer snorkelers and divers to practice their skills and safely explore the area.

Fun facts:

• The Barrier Reef is considered the birthplace of (sport) scuba diving, and is consistently ranked among the top ten scuba diving spots worldwide
• The coral formations aren’t just home to marine life; they also  protect the island’s coastline during storms, absorb excess carbon dioxide by cleaning the ocean water of acidification, and are even being used in the development of new treatment medicines for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer
• The reef is between 5,000 to 10,000 years old

Keep in mind:

• The waters directly around the reef are very shallow — around three feet — so you need to be extra careful if you are wearing fins
• Don’t stand up in the shallow areas, as you can easily damage the coral
• Try not to wear sunscreen before you go into the water, as the chemicals can be toxic to the coral, the plants, and marine life

Experiencing the Magic of Starfish Point

This is the highlight of any marine tour, as starfish are the most iconic yet seldom seen of all marine wildlife.

You can’t visit Starfish Point without feeling like you’ve stepped into a dream! This pristine and secluded beach destination on the Grand Cayman Islands is the best place where you can experience the magic of these amazing sea creatures for yourself. You’ll be amazed by the beauty of this place, and the fun facts about starfish will make you fall in love with it even more.

First things first:  Starfish aren’t actually fish at all—they’re sea stars! Starfish are marine invertebrates with a mineralized external skeleton and five arms that radiate from a central disk-shaped body (or, what is called “the crown”). They live in deep-sea trenches, shallow waters, and can be found around coral reefs where there are lots of other creatures like clams and sea urchins who also eat plankton (tiny animals that float in the water).

At Starfish Point you will find a shallow shelf of water along the beach where you can admire starfish through the transparent waters. A little further out the shelf drops off about 10 feet; strap on your snorkeling gear and go below the water’s surface to find most of the starfish along the seafloor (this is the best way to see Starfish Point, as not too many starfish come up toward shore).

The beach itself is a welcome alternative to the crowded beaches in town, so take advantage of it by going for a swim or relaxing on the sand. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, you’ll find it here at Starfish Point.

Fun facts:

• Starfish typically have five arms, but can have many more; the “sun star” starfish can have up to 40 arms and weigh more than 10 pounds
• These creatures are super sensitive to touch, and their arms will retract or even curl up when touched
• Speaking of arms, if they lose one, they have the ability to grow another
• Their arms can bend and twist, allowing them to flip themselves over or grasp prey
• Starfish “walk” by the use of thousands of tiny tube “feet” on their arms
• Also on their arms are tiny eye spots that allow the fish to recognize shapes
• Starfish are generally solitary animals, and can live up to 35 years in the wild

Keep in mind:

• It’s best to leave a starfish alone as they are fragile; sunscreen and body oils can be very toxic to them, and picking them up can really stress them out
• If you do pick up a starfish to get a closer look, make sure to keep it in the water at all times; starfish cannot breathe when they are lifted out of the water, and will suffocate within a few minutes. The air can also be damaging to their skin. Afterward, gently place them back down onto the seafloor (don’t just let them go and let them sink)

The “Stingray City, Barrier Reef, and Starfish Point” Tour

We proudly offer a comprehensive tour that combines these three must-see destinations into one single, convenient experience. You will enjoy a relaxing motorboat ride out to all three areas, soaking in the beauty of the islands along the way (note: this is the easiest way to get to them, and the only way to get out to the Barrier Reef).

Friendly, professional guides will be on hand at each spot to give you information and to help you interact with the starfish and the stingrays; they are also a wealth of information on all things local, such as the best places to get a bite to eat on the island afterward. Snorkeling gear will be provided (or you can bring your own), and there will be beverages on board to help you stay well hydrated.

There will be plenty of opportunities to see, touch, and experience the starfish and stingrays, making this tour a great value for the money. It is also a great option for those cruisers who are on limited time but want to get a look at these amazing animals. Lastly, it makes for an exciting family experience that you will be talking about around the dinner table for years to come.

Are you ready? The Stingray City, Barrier Reef, and Starfish Point tour takes you to all three vital stops when visiting Grand Cayman and is a must-do excursion, especially for first-timers to the Cayman Islands. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to experience this enchanting undersea world! Call us today to guarantee your spot — especially as Starfish Point frequently books out in advance.