Stingray City a day to remember!
Stingray City a day to remember!
Nikki with a Stingray
Stingrays are some of the most fascinating creatures on earth. They have size, grace, and power. Most people can identify them but know very little about them. Have you ever had a chance to meet a Stingray up close? I am not talking about at Sea World or an Aquarium, I mean touch, hold interact with a Stingray? We did and in the middle of the ocean no less. A trip to Stingray City was something we could not pass it up.
I am going to tell you about an amazing experience. Nikki and I took an excursion to Stingray City. All because we decided to try something different. If you ever get a chance, you should go! Stingray City is in Grand Caymans. You can only go by boat. It takes about 30-35-minutes to reach a sandbar in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. The cool thing is the water is only about 3.5 to 4 feet and had some waves. Your boat will arrive and anchor. The day we went there must have been about 350 are so people in the area. I believe there were 8 other boats of different sizes. We spent about 1 hour and 20 minutes at Stingray City. Which gave us plenty of time to interact with the Stingrays and take lots of great pictures.
What happened at Stingray City?
Arriving at Stingray City
Once we arrived, at Stingray City, we exited the boat and climbed right into the warm water. Other boats were already there and you could see the many groups gathered around Stingrays. You could also see many Stingrays laying on the floor of the sandbar. While other Stingrays were just swimming around not even phased by all the people. Our Guide immediately picked up a Stingray and brought him over for our group to see. The Stingray was about 6.5 feet wide and about 4 feet from head to toe. He was a charcoal gray on top and a soft light grey to white under the bottom. We each got to hold the Stingray. Everyone go to pet the Stingray. The Stingray has slick smooth skin on top. Under the bottom, he feels more like a sponge. We held the Stingray and posed for pictures.
Nikki receiving a massage from the Stingray
The Tour Company had a photographer with an underwater & waterproof camera taking pictures of all the people. The Tour Guide showed us how to hold the Stingray and educated us on the Stingray. We also each got a chance to receive a massage from the Stingray. As the Stingray rubbed the underside of his arm over your shoulders. For those who were more daring, you could even kiss the Stingray. Yours truly could not pass that up!
Bill kissing the Stingray
Nikki kissing the Stingray
All about Stingrays
COMMON NAME: Stingrays
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Myliobatoidei
TYPE: Fish
DIET: Carnivores
AVERAGE LIFESPAN IN THE WILD: 15 – 25 years
SIZE: Up to 6.5 ft
WEIGHT: Up to 790 lbs
The Stingray
Stingrays are related to sharks. They are cartilaginous fish. The Stingray is one of a group of rays classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes and consist of eight families. Stingrays fall into the Hexatrygonidae, which means sixgill stingray.
Stingrays are common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the world. We have seen them sunbathing in shallow waters in Freeport Grand Bahamas. There are over 200 known stingray species. The Stingray species are rapidly becoming endangered. This is a consequence of unregulated fishing. As of 2013, 45 species of Rays have been listed as vulnerable or endangered.
What do Stingrays eat?
A common question is what do Stingrays eat? Stingrays eat mainly a variety of sea worms, shrimp, and clams. They also eat other soft-shelled animals. The predators of the Stingrays are its own family member sharks along with seals, sea lions, large species of carnivorous fish and humans.
Stingrays
Cost to visit Stingray City
Tours to Stingray City are offered through a variety of sources. Our Cruise Ship offered it for $49-79 US dollars in different packages. Once you get off the ship you will find similar tours and packages offered for $40-60 US dollars. We negotiated our tour down to $30 each! So, shop the tour for your best price.
Nikki petting a Stingray
Stingrays are some of the most fascinating creatures on earth. They have a mystique about them because few people know a lot about Stingrays. Nikki and I took an opportunity to go to Stingray City in the Grand Cayman Islands. It is an experience we will never forget and worth every penny!
Bill and Nikki at Stingray City
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Bill Collins
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