Stingray City Tour

Stingray City is one of Antigua's most loved family excursions. A short boat ride from the northeast coast carries you out across the sheltered North Sound to a shallow sandbar where habituated southern stingrays gather. Standing waist-deep in clear, warm water, you can hold, feed and snorkel alongside these surprisingly soft, gentle animals while guides explain their biology and behaviour. The site is the basis of the Stingray City attraction.

Tours usually depart from the Seatons area on the east side, near Long Bay, and last around two to three hours including the boat transfer. After time with the rays, most operators add a snorkel over a nearby reef in the lagoon, where you may see fish, turtles and starfish. Life vests are provided and non-swimmers are welcome, since the sandbar itself is shallow.

The rays are wild but accustomed to people; guides show you how to hold them flat-palmed and never to grab the tail. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel and an underwater camera, and consider water shoes for the boat and sandbar.

Stingray City pairs naturally with other east-coast outings such as the rugged limestone arch at Devil's Bridge, or a wider catamaran day cruise that also explores the calmer reefs of the North Sound.