Probably the best shore excursion you can take while visiting Grand Cayman is a stingray excursion.  We have done it twice, once in deeper waters and once on a sandbar.  I recommend the sand bar because you can stand up in the water while visiting the stingrays.  In the deepr water, you have to tread water. 

 

You take a 30 minute boat ride from the docks to the area used by several excursion companies for the "Swim with the Sting Ray Excursions.  As we left the docks, we passed some multi-million dollar homes.  It seemed each one had a blue iguana (frequent sitings in Grand Cayman) in the yard.  They were as common as a cat or dog in most backyards. 

 

Anyway, once you arrive at the stingray site, you jump/climb from the boat (most hold 10-20 people).  Everyone gathers around the excursion operator as he feeds the stingray.  You then get to try it if you like.  You hold your hand out and the stingray just swims over the top of your hand and vacuums the food right up.  Cool!  Feels kind of funny.  The stingrays here are used to people (an everyday occurrence) and anxiously await feeding time.  After feeding the stingray, you get a kiss.  :)  Well sort of, the operator holds the stingray momentarily while you reach down for a smooch before the stingray swims off.  What is really cool is to feel them swim past your legs...they brush right up against you as they pass by.  

 

Gotta be sure to try it when you visit Grand Cayman.  I hear visiting the turtle farm is also pretty cool but haven't been there yet.  

 

When you are ready to book, we will be happy to find you the best cruise for you at the best price.  Be sure to call for the best rates as we are not able to display our discounted prices on our website.  Visit www.bestcruisebuy.com or call us at 1-866-622-7447.  We would love to help you!

 

 

Walking on board the catamaran, crew members hand us a buoyancy vest, fins and a mask. It’s a large boat with engines and sails. Finding a seat, we wait and enjoy the day.

 

Heading out for the snorkeling spot, we’re given safety instructions. The water is still a little choppy, and they anchor near the shore where a long pier helps protects us. The water is clear and beautiful, but no reef. The sandy bottom has a few rocks, yet the few fish we see are stunning. I think we’re in this location instead of another because of the waves. That’s too bad.

 

The sky is beautiful, the water is wonderful shades of blue and turquoise, and the temperature lovely. The crew provides excellent service with their open bar for beer and margaritas. I am especially impressed with how the crew handled a passenger who cut her foot. Fortunately it is not bad. Not only did they have appropriate first aid supplies, but the crew used a glove and disposed of the supplies in a very professional manner.

 

After the dive, we sail to another location for an hour at a beach. Here there is volleyball, chairs, umbrellas, two person kayaks, floats, a trampoline in the water, beer and margaritas…all included in the $60 per person charge for the entire excursion.

 

The trip back is relaxing and I enjoy the music and the company. Everyone is tired and in good spirits.