Grand Cayman Stingray City Sandbar and
the "REAL" Stingray City Explained!
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Stingray City in Grand Cayman is
the most popular location visited for the exception of our
beautiful beaches. Grand Cayman actually offers two
distinctly diverse Stingray Cities, a largely unknown fact to
the majority of future visitors to Grand Cayman. This
article will help you decide which Stingray City is right for
you, the Stingray City Sandbar or The Valley of the Rays, the "Real" Stingray
City.
The History of the
two (Stingray) Cities:
For many years fisherman returning from their day at sea
anchored in the shallow and protected waters of the North Sound
to clean their catch. The area, just behind the Barrier
Reef, created the optimal location to anchor a boat without the
discomfort of waves. At the "Real" stingray city the
anchorage area was very close to the main channel of Barkers,
and a few paddles away from famous Fisherman Rock. The
area is a few minutes away from the shores of West Bay, one of
the largest populated areas at that time, giving fisherman the
ideal spot to clean their catch away from the billions of
dreaded mosquitoes found on shore at that time.
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The second fish cleaning area was
also protected by the Barrier Reef and on a sandbar barely 4ft
in depth. The beautiful, pure, white sand made for an easy
anchorage, and a few conchs would also have been taken for the
family following the daily fish cleaning.
"It was as if they knew we were coming" said one fisherman.
Indeed, every day, late in the afternoon, all the Stingrays would
gather beneath their sailboats to enjoy all the fish parts their
friends above would drop in the water. This ritual
continued for many many, years until two Dive Instructors finally
decided to pay the Stingrays a personal underwater visit.
Contrary to the many self acclaimed "I was there first....."
Stingray City snorkeling Captains, it was not Capt. Marvin's, it
was not Capt. Chucky, and definitely not "I fed them first Capt.
Crosby" who took the first unknown leap into the water with the Rays.
The honor goes to 2 Dive Instructors in 1981, Jay Ireland and
Pat Kenney. Jay Ireland was the very first. After
noticing the daily Stingray feeding ritual, Jay took it upon
himself to jump in the water armed with a camera and a bag full
of courage. Jay found the Stingrays shy, gentle and not
aggressive (contrary to popular belief at that time)
Following daily feeding he finally earned the Rays trust to the
point of being able to hand feed them and pet them.
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As soon as Pat Kenney heard of the
feedings he became immediately involved and started documenting
the Stingrays, naming the animals and kept track of the feedings
as well as movements. In 1986 Pat Kenney wrote an
article named "The Valley of the Rays", and the now "Stingray
City" was born. Underwater Photographer Geri Murphy
visited The Valley of the Rays shortly after, upon her return to
her California home she also immediately wrote an article of
this phenomenon at a location she self named "Stingray City",
hence the name we now know was born.
The Stingray City dive site quickly became popular, especially
with the help of articles also written in the Wall Street
Journal, National Geographic (featuring Pat Kenney) and Skin
Diver Magazine. It was not until a few years later that
the same "taming of the Stingrays" occurred at the shallow
sandbar enabling a simple "walk with the Stingrays" to be
conducted. The sandbar was also named by locals "The
Stingray City Sandbar". |
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The "Valley of the Rays" or the
"REAL" Stingray City:
The 12ft Stingray City is optimal for Scuba Divers as well as
Snorkelers. Located very close to the Barrier Reef, the area
contains many Coral Formations as well as sponges, Sea Fans,
colorful Tropical Fish, Eels, Nurse Sharks sleeping under the many
Coral ledges and more. The Stingray Interaction is not
isolated to "The Stingray experience", it also offers a fantastic
opportunity to view and interact with a variety of marine life as
well as a chance to view some of the best snorkeling to be found in
the North Sound. One will find all of the Scuba Diving
Excursions visit this area, as well as the bigger sail boats due to
the depth of the water, but do not allow the water depth to
discourage you, the Stingrays will visit you on the surface and the
water clarity and marine life will astound you.
The 12ft Stingray City (12ft to 15ft of water) is perfectly
suited for scuba divers as well as snorkelers as the entire area
offers an "everything in one" opportunity. The Valley of the
Rays is especially suited for avid snorkelers and for visitors who
have been to the sandbar in the past.
The famous Grand Cayman Stingray
City Sandbar:
The Stingray City Sandbar is by far one of the most beautiful
locations on Earth. Located in shallow crystal clear waters,
the sheer beauty of the location would make a visit a must
regardless of the friendly Rays. The sandbar fluctuates
between 1ft of water to 5ft of water depending on the time of the
year, tides and recent storms. Visitors simply walk around
admiring, feeding, petting and interacting with the beautiful
stingrays with ease. The sandy bottom resembles baby powder, the
water is perfectly clear enabling a clear view of the Rays without
the need of a mask. The Stingrays greet your boat upon arrival
awaiting you to enter the water, and as soon as you step into their
world the Rays will happily greet you. The experience is truly
indescribable, a once in a lifetime personal event one will not want
to miss.
Things to remember:
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The Stingrays, at both the
Valley of the Rays and the Stingray City Sandbar are not in
captivity, they are not penned (as in many "copycat" locations now
found on other Islands) and swim freely in their environment. |
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The Stingrays in Grand Cayman
are able to come and go as they please, they are there because it
is their preference to be there. We visit their world, we
are not forcing them to be part of ours. |
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Please respect their home.
Do not litter, keep plastic out of the water, and do not hold
them out of the water. The Rays are extremely docile and
will allow you to pick them up, if your Guides hold the Rays
out of the water please feel free to reprehend them, they are
not toys, they are living creatures! |
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The majority of the Stingrays
have been in the two locations all of their lives and have grown
up there. They are more than familiar with humans and have
been hand fed for years. You will find Rays as small as 12
inches to 4ft in width! |
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They are not aggressive, but are
eager to be fed, please ensure to have your Guide show you how it
is done. |
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Ensure to remove all jewelry,
watches and earrings. Not wearing any Jewelry at all is
best. Fins are not, and should not be warn at the Stingray
City Sandbar. |
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Southern Stingrays are NOT Bull
Rays from the unfortunate "Irwin incident", they are a different
species, Southern Stingrays are tame, shy and incredibly friendly. |
Tours which (can) visit the
"Valley of the Rays" or the "REAL" Stingray City:
Tours which visit the Stingray
City Sandbar:
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