Georgetown

Sure, swimming cheek-to-cheek with creatures once unfairly maligned for the death of a beloved wildlife TV personality might give some pause, but at Stingray City in North Sound, fear quickly dissolves into absurd delight. This spot began as a humble fisherman's hangout decades ago, where locals would toss squid scraps overboard-unintentionally inviting stingrays to the maritime equivalent of an all-you-can-eat buffet. Soon enough, the rays transformed from shy predators into gentle aquatic ambassadors accustomed to human curiosity (and snacks). Book a morning slot, when the Caribbean waters are clearer and the stingrays are hungry and sociable, not yet jaded by scores of tourists in floppy hats and jelly shoes. Reserve your trip at least a few weeks ahead, and budget around $50 to $75 per person to join a reputable crew (because let's face it, the sketchy boats promising half-priced stingray selfies aren't worth testing your travel insurance). Bring a waterproof camera and a healthy sense of humor, because there's nothing quite like the surreal tickle of a stingray nibbling squid bits from your palm to make you reconsider your life choices. Even if marine cuddling isn't exactly your dream scenario, Stingray City makes for brag-worthy anecdotes and highly entertaining dinner-table banter-because telling your friends you hugged a stingray genuinely beats recounting yet another forgettable day at the beach.