Stingray; the city of the streaks in the Cayman Islands

To the north of the Cayman Islands there is the city of Stingray, a natural chain of sandbars, which spreads from Morgan's Port up to Rum Point. This natural attraction attracts hundreds of tourists every day, who come to bathe in his slightly deep waters, between inoffensive marine animals, what turns it into one of the most popular excursions of the Caribbean Sea.

One of the inoffensive marine animals that more you will see in this area is the common streak. These animals are flat and smooth, with the eyes placed in the top part of his body. They have the mouth in the white belly, perfectly placed to eat the crustaceans and mollusks that pass for below for his, and that form the principal diet of this species.

The Stingray streaks were attracted to this area by the proper local fishermen, that his crafts were anchoring to clean his apprehensions before returning to the coast. This free meal supply, soon began to attract to the shy streaks, which after hearing the sound of the engines of the ships, approach almost up to the same shore. In the decade of 1980, the divers of the area began to feed to the streaks with squid pieces. Like that was born the name of Stingray, which means precisely the city of the streaks.

The streaks are wild species, nevertheless, there are tourists who dare to feed them with squid pieces. I have seen some even planting a kiss on the smooth surface of one of them. In spite of everything, they are usually very friendly and playful. Those of major importance go so far as to reach one meter. The proper local fishermen will teach you some tricks to see that there is no danger.
Anyhow, there are many visits guided to Stingray, which are realized by a prepared guide, who will give us information about how treating to the streaks. You must only caress them from the head up to the tail, because the small spikes that cover his skin might cut you if you do it in the opposite direction. It is sure that the guide will indicate you perfectly how you have to touch them and approach them.

You can reserve these holding a permit visits in George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands, or in Rum Point. In addition to the visit to the playful streaks, most dared also you have the possibility of doing some diving in many of the coral reefs of the island. Also there are small cruises that go out from the wharf of George Town, and that offer trips up to Stingray or Sandbar.

If you have a planned trip to the Cayman Islands, and you have not been provided with the possibility of visiting Stingray, do not worry. It has gone out frequent, both in the morning and for the evening, from George Town. We advise you better the visit in the evening, since there are less passengers. Anyhow, since the streaks are always hungry, not to worry if you think that you are not going to be able to feed them. To extract a squid piece, and hundreds of them will surround you.

Photo Route Whatmap

• Cayman Islands, tax and tourist haven