Stingray City? Other GC excursions?

[Magic Family]

OK, I'm squeamish over the idea to begin with...swimming with stringrays. We're from Michigan...there are a few minnows around your ankles when you get in the lake and they scatter quickly. NO experience with marine life here!!!

But, I'd like to plan something cool for my pre-teen/teenage kids. Assuming I get over the creeepy feeling, what about the water level? I've read it could be as high as 6 feet, which would be over all our heads.

And if not Stingray City, does anyone have "can't miss" excursions for Grand Cayman?

 

[HLAuburn]

IMO, Stingray City is the best excursion in GC, especially for kids and teens. It's such a cool experience! The times we were there, you could easily stand on the sandbar, and the water came about to your waist. I think there were deeper parts nearby you could snorkle in, but you could easily stand the entire time. Another option for you if you think the rays will creep you out is to stay on the boat. It's a good view and you can still watch the kids and see what's going on.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Don't miss Stingray City! The stingrays are all so gentle and friendly. It may take a moment or two to get used to them but after that you'll be fine. And if you're not you can watch from the boat.

Depending on how many people are in your party I highly recommend a private charter through Captian Marvin's. We did one the last time we were on the Western and it was terrific. We had the boat and guide all to ourselves, which was wonderful. We'll be doing the same thing on our upcoming Western in December.I know that the boat that holds up to 10 people is $500 for the 1/2 day excursion. Divided out over the 9 of us it comes to just a bit more than the regular excursion price.

Regardless of whether you do the private charter or not, I can't say enough about Stingray City. DD15 was very hesitant to get off of the boat at first. By the middle of our time there she was right in the middle of it all having a great time.

Have a great cruise!

 

[mattmommy]

Our group (14 strong) did the DCL tour of GC including SC. To do it again I would go privately to do SC and then go to a beach. The water was phenominal.

The staff that took us out to the city were great with our group (ages 5 - 66). The prices of their pictures are negotiable. They put them on a cd and mail them to you. They came out great.

DS7 was five at the time and loved it. Older cousins freaked, but were kissing them (7 years good luck) by the end.

 

[seaquay]

We did Stingray City and it was awful. The tide was coming over the reef and there was no way you were standing in ankle deep water with stingrays around you as you see in the postcards. The tide was so strong that it was a real effort just to stay near the boat, in fact I gave up and never saw a stingray at all. My son (11) and husband stayed in longer but also did not find it a pleasurable excursion. I am sure that if you get the tides right it is great, but if you can as Disney about the tide on the day you plan to book for.

 

[wifeofgrumpy]

I'm not for sure what the excursion is called, but we went to a rock formation called HELL (no big deal to me), a sea turtle hatchery, rum cake factory and StingRay City, Loved it.... The sea turtle hatchery was wonderful, I have pictures of my daughter picking them up and laughing. We loved the stingrays also, but my husband doesn't want to do that again. It was also the first time I had tried a rum cake, yummy!!! This was well worth the money for this excursion, would be more than willing to do it again.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We did Stingray City and it was awful. The tide was coming over the reef and there was no way you were standing in ankle deep water with stingrays around you as you see in the postcards.

When we were there the water was about waist deep on me and I am 5'2". We did the morning tour and were at Stingray City at about 11:30-12:00.

 

[Gillian]

We went in December 06. The water was above my waist (I'm 5'5") and it was no problem standing. We were there late morning. It was a bit overcast, and I skipped the snorkling at another spot because the water was kind of rough, but the stingray part was fine.