do the stingray shuffle
I N T H E WA T E R
Pla y with the rays By Jenny Gabruch
38
T
hey are the iconic sea creatures of the Cayman Islands. The friendly Southern Stingrays populate the world-
famous Stingray City and nearby Sandbar, the islands’ top-rated attraction. Here, visitors can play with the sociable rays in their natural habitat. Various charter companies escort visitors to the site in the warm waters of the North Sound where these docile rays have been gathering for some 50 years.
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I N T H E WA T E R
DO THE STINGRAY SHUFFLE To avoid stepping on a stingray while at the Sandbar, wade through the water by doing the ªStingray ShuIµe« – simply slide your feet along the sandy bottom.
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You can watch the rays as they slowly circle around, have your photo taken with them and even feed them by hand for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The rays have a velvety underbelly – similar to a mushroom – and will sometimes rub up against visitors in search of food. The stingrays gather at two main sites. Stingray City is a shallow dive site about 18 feet deep, and the nearby Stingray Sandbar allows visitors to stand waist-deep in water and observe the rays as they swirl around. The waters are crystal clear and typically calm. Crew on the charters will give a detailed briefing beforehand on how to
safely interact with these graceful sea creatures. Stingrays have been coming to this area for years since fishermen in days gone by would clean their catch there and throw the scraps out in the water – attracting the stingrays for a free lunch. Many of the rays are long-time residents at Stingray City, and are familiar faces to tour operators who frequent the site. Orion is a large female ray, identifiable by her distinctive age spots. She’s extremely approachable, allowing crew members to gently hold her while visitors give her a kiss. A peck on a ray’s snout is said to bring seven years of good luck.
You can watch the rays as they slowly circle around, have your photo taken with them and even feed them by hand for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
41
I N T H E WA T E R
TIPS 9LVLWRUV DUH QRW DOORZHG WR ZHDU ´QV RU IRRWZHDU DW WKH Sandbar – only bare feet – nor pet the creatures with gloves on as it removes their protective coating. 2nly wear a masN and snorNel in the water at the Sandbar no other equipment is permitted. 9isitors are not allowed to lift the stingrays completely out of the water as they need to breathe thinN of lifting a ray out of the water as similar to someone holding your head under the water – very uncomfortable . 5ays taNe in oxygenated water through two spiracles behind their eyes and expel it through gills on their underside. 1ever approach a stingray from behind – always sideon or front-on – avoiding the tail. Stingray &ity and the sandbar can get busy at times when the cruise ships are in. )or those seeNing an excursion away from the crowds, charter a boat after the cruise ship passengers leave - usually after p.m. :eeNends are generally quieter as well.
FACTS ,n the wild, stingrays forage for mollusNs, crustaceans and small ´sh on the sandy sea bottom, where they spend the majority of their time. Southern Stingrays do not have any teeth, and use powerful suction and cartilaginous plates – liNe a rough rasp ´le – to extract and grind their food.
Pla y with the rays By Jenny Gabruch
38
T
hey are the iconic sea creatures of the Cayman Islands. The friendly Southern Stingrays populate the world-
famous Stingray City and nearby Sandbar, the islands’ top-rated attraction. Here, visitors can play with the sociable rays in their natural habitat. Various charter companies escort visitors to the site in the warm waters of the North Sound where these docile rays have been gathering for some 50 years.
39
I N T H E WA T E R
DO THE STINGRAY SHUFFLE To avoid stepping on a stingray while at the Sandbar, wade through the water by doing the ªStingray ShuIµe« – simply slide your feet along the sandy bottom.
40
You can watch the rays as they slowly circle around, have your photo taken with them and even feed them by hand for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The rays have a velvety underbelly – similar to a mushroom – and will sometimes rub up against visitors in search of food. The stingrays gather at two main sites. Stingray City is a shallow dive site about 18 feet deep, and the nearby Stingray Sandbar allows visitors to stand waist-deep in water and observe the rays as they swirl around. The waters are crystal clear and typically calm. Crew on the charters will give a detailed briefing beforehand on how to
safely interact with these graceful sea creatures. Stingrays have been coming to this area for years since fishermen in days gone by would clean their catch there and throw the scraps out in the water – attracting the stingrays for a free lunch. Many of the rays are long-time residents at Stingray City, and are familiar faces to tour operators who frequent the site. Orion is a large female ray, identifiable by her distinctive age spots. She’s extremely approachable, allowing crew members to gently hold her while visitors give her a kiss. A peck on a ray’s snout is said to bring seven years of good luck.
You can watch the rays as they slowly circle around, have your photo taken with them and even feed them by hand for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
41
I N T H E WA T E R
TIPS 9LVLWRUV DUH QRW DOORZHG WR ZHDU ´QV RU IRRWZHDU DW WKH Sandbar – only bare feet – nor pet the creatures with gloves on as it removes their protective coating. 2nly wear a masN and snorNel in the water at the Sandbar no other equipment is permitted. 9isitors are not allowed to lift the stingrays completely out of the water as they need to breathe thinN of lifting a ray out of the water as similar to someone holding your head under the water – very uncomfortable . 5ays taNe in oxygenated water through two spiracles behind their eyes and expel it through gills on their underside. 1ever approach a stingray from behind – always sideon or front-on – avoiding the tail. Stingray &ity and the sandbar can get busy at times when the cruise ships are in. )or those seeNing an excursion away from the crowds, charter a boat after the cruise ship passengers leave - usually after p.m. :eeNends are generally quieter as well.
FACTS ,n the wild, stingrays forage for mollusNs, crustaceans and small ´sh on the sandy sea bottom, where they spend the majority of their time. Southern Stingrays do not have any teeth, and use powerful suction and cartilaginous plates – liNe a rough rasp ´le – to extract and grind their food.
