Sting Ray City was awesome. The sting rays actually come up to you and take squid right out of your hand. Our instructors were very nice. We bought a DVD of the whole day for $60, a bit pricey, but when it's snowing here in Philly, it's worth it to look back.

This was a very cool thing to do. We got to see the turtle farm, as well as the town of Hell, and go to Stingray City. It is very surreal that you are swimming with something you thought was dangerous. It was very cool. My son was a little freaked out by it, but he did enjoy it.

Stingray City - one of the most amazing places to be. Go about 30 minutes off the coast of Cayman by boat and you're in 10-foot crystalline waters protected by a reef wall that drops out to sea.

When you step off the boat into the water at Stingray City, a sand dune boosts the water level to about 3 feet and you see swarms - literally dozens - of stingrays varying between 2 and 5 feet in length.

Whichever tour you take, you'll be given an educational discussion about the rays: where their "stings" are, how to pet them, and how to feed them. Squid is brought along for the latter opportunity.

While it can be a bit nerve-wracking if you're thinking "What?! Being in the water with dozens of stingrays swimming around me??!" they're quite tame from all the tourist attention they get and beyond friendly (some like to give backrubs!).

All in all, it's a brilliant place to see, and if you're in Cayman, a must. There are only so many places that people get the opportunity to visit animals in their natural habitat, and this is one of the best.

With Capt. Bryan’s, you are transported from their office, close to everything, to the other side of the island, where you board a 50-foot catamaran sailboat. This well-equipped vessel offers the best of both worlds, with a large sundeck for working on your tan and a shaded area for those who prefer to keep cool. In the sundeck area you can sit on a see-through net, where you can watch the beautiful water of the Caribbean flow past. On the way to the sandbar you can spot starfish and other aquatic life.

Imagine standing in chest-deep water, sometimes shallower, with these beautiful creatures dancing in the crystal-blue water all around you. It is like the stingrays are flying through the water, gliding effortlessly. As you reach out to feel them, they brush right up next to you, so you can feel how soft and smooth they really are. Put on a mask and snorkel and get an up-close look at these genteel creatures of the sea. You are even given the chance to hold one of them, with no harm done whatsoever.

On the return trip, your captain will take you to one of three other locations, to some deeper water, to explore other kinds of sea life. One of the more popular spots is called The Aquarium (see photos). It is a reef structure full of Caribbean sea life. You have plenty of opportunities to take some wonderful photos, so don't forget your underwater cameras. As of recently, a professional underwater cameraman accompanies your group to film your reaction to the tow locations, and the videos are then edited and are available for purchase and shipped to your home address. Once all of your snorkeling is complete, the captain pulls the anchor and raises the sails for a wonderful cruise back to land. This is an experience that everyone should have when visiting the Cayman Islands!!!!

We booked our reservation for the next morning snorkel trip - Stingray City Lunch/Snorkel Sail. It lasted a little over four hours. They provide equipment, but we have our own. They also provide help and lessons.

They take you to the famed Stingray City. Those stingrays are very friendly - a little too close for comfort in my opinion! Then you go to a stop to see coral and friendly little fish near a shallow reef and, depending on time and weather permitting, maybe another stop to see a shipwreck. Very cool surprise!

Right after the last stop, they dump a bucket with fish food for the sharks. Yes, that's right sharks. You can swim above them for a bit, but then they get waaay too close for comfort! I jumped out of the water immediately! My husband stayed for a bit - he was one of the last ones in the water. Take a look at our travelogues for lots more pictures.

Now that everyone is all salty and back on the boat, lunch is served! A deli-style lunch with all types of salads, chicken and breads. All types of large cookies for dessert. Lunch is pretty good. They also have a cash bar.