Depth of water in Castaway Cay family beach & stingray excursion - The DIS Discussion Forums

mom2aidanNpiper · 11-25-2009, 10:28 PM

Hi all!

Just curious if anyone could tell me abour how shallow the water is at the family beach in Castaway Cay, and also the stingray excursion. Obviously you wade out and it gets deeper, but do you need to be a strong swimmer to be able to snorkel out to see anything worthwhile? My kiddos are fair swimmers but still like to be able to see the bottom...

Thanks!

LoriLuvsDisney · 11-25-2009, 11:28 PM

At the stingray adventure you are required to wear a safety vest that you fill with air. It keeps you afloat while you get to watch the stingrays swim below you. It can get up to 14-16 feet deep at the far end of the enclosure. You don't really want to put your feet down too much as the stingrays 'bury' themselves just below the sand so you feel like you might step on one (note - they'll get out of your way before you do we were told!)

I didn't go into the family area that much - sat on a raft in the water and enjoyed the light waves and warm sun. There are lifeguards everywhere - even out on stands at the deep end of the enclosed area. I guess you could borrow one of the free vests for that area too - if you go into the snorkel beach the vests are required.

inkkognito · 11-25-2009, 11:30 PM

The stingray encounter has been moved to an area next to the boat beach. The front part looked pretty shallow when I observed it last week. It may change depending on the tide.

Psychodisney · 11-25-2009, 11:33 PM

I'm not sure about the stingray excursion(although on the video they play in the room it looked very shallow). At the family beach, the water got gradually deeper. I swam out to the play structure a couple of weeks ago and the depth is posted at the side of the structure. At about 1:00 the water was between 5 and 6 feet. At 3:30 it was closer to 7 feet. The time of high tide varies but I think it's usually later in the afternoon.
As far as snorkeling, my memory is not as sharp. Besides, you wouldn't be standing anyway. The kids could inflate their snorkle vests for extra flotation or even wear a life jacket while snorkeling. They'll be able to see the bottom...but it might be far away!

woody73 · 11-25-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2aidanNpiper

. . . do you need to be a strong swimmer to be able to snorkel out to see anything worthwhile?

No. The snorkel area is protected by a reef, so there is no current.

But you do need to snorkel out a fair distance to see anything worthwhile.

Woody

kcashner · 11-26-2009, 09:54 AM

Your kids will be able to see the bottom in much of the snorkel area, but not touch the bottom. Yes, you need to get far out to see any good stuff. As above, a snorkel vest is required. You can borrow a regular life vest for the family area (no charge, get them from Gil's).

CruznLexi · 11-26-2009, 10:17 AM

You can see the bottom but it is quite a hike to see some of the items like the submarine and Mickey and Minnie. You are recquired to wear a vest.

11-25-2009, 10:28 PM	#1
mom2aidanNpiper Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 91	Depth of water in Castaway Cay family beach & stingray excursion Hi all! Just curious if anyone could tell me abour how shallow the water is at the family beach in Castaway Cay, and also the stingray excursion. Obviously you wade out and it gets deeper, but do you need to be a strong swimmer to be able to snorkel out to see anything worthwhile? My kiddos are fair swimmers but still like to be able to see the bottom... Thanks! __________________ Jess Planning on ABD Ireland trip for 2011. C-Beach Resort for 2 days, Wonder 4 night Cruise on 6/18/2010, followed by stay at WDW Contemporary resort for a week. Multiple trips to Disneyland since 1987 Most recently April of '09. Last edited by mom2aidanNpiper; 11-25-2009 at 10:41 PM.*

11-25-2009, 11:28 PM	#2
LoriLuvsDisney Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Outside of San Francisco Posts: 107	At the stingray adventure you are required to wear a safety vest that you fill with air. It keeps you afloat while you get to watch the stingrays swim below you. It can get up to 14-16 feet deep at the far end of the enclosure. You don't really want to put your feet down too much as the stingrays 'bury' themselves just below the sand so you feel like you might step on one (note - they'll get out of your way before you do we were told!) I didn't go into the family area that much - sat on a raft in the water and enjoyed the light waves and warm sun. There are lifeguards everywhere - even out on stands at the deep end of the enclosed area. I guess you could borrow one of the free vests for that area too - if you go into the snorkel beach the vests are required. __________________ LoriLuvsDisney (me 48, DH 49, DD 14, DS 12) 1967, 75, 79 DL off site; 1982 DL Honeymoon - offsite; 1985, 88, 91 - DL offisite; 1994 WDW - Riverside; 1996 DL; 1997 DL - Paradise Pier; 1999 DL - Grand California, 2003 DL - DH; 11/2005 DL - Offsite; 4/2006 WDW - Yacht Club, Purchase DVC Saratoga Springs 4/2006 8/2006 DL - DH; St. Pat's Day 2007 - DL - GCH; 9/07 DL Grand California DCL-Magic 10/27/2007 (with Hurricane Noel) celebrating 25th Wedding Anniversary after at BCV 7/18/09 - 7 Night Tortola Mutiny on the Magic w/ Vero Beach 7/19/11 - 5 nights of Dreams on the Dream

11-25-2009, 11:30 PM	#3
inkkognito I shall call him Mini-Me I fart cigarette-scented farts! Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Chicago/Duloc/The Barb & Tony Suite Posts: 13,929	The stingray encounter has been moved to an area next to the boat beach. The front part looked pretty shallow when I observed it last week. It may change depending on the tide. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. what a ride!'

11-25-2009, 11:33 PM	#4
Psychodisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 877	I'm not sure about the stingray excursion(although on the video they play in the room it looked very shallow). At the family beach, the water got gradually deeper. I swam out to the play structure a couple of weeks ago and the depth is posted at the side of the structure. At about 1:00 the water was between 5 and 6 feet. At 3:30 it was closer to 7 feet. The time of high tide varies but I think it's usually later in the afternoon. As far as snorkeling, my memory is not as sharp. Besides, you wouldn't be standing anyway. The kids could inflate their snorkle vests for extra flotation or even wear a life jacket while snorkeling. They'll be able to see the bottom...but it might be far away! __________________

11-26-2009, 10:17 AM	#7
CruznLexi DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 627	Snorkeling at CC You can see the bottom but it is quite a hike to see some of the items like the submarine and Mickey and Minnie. You are recquired to wear a vest.

Sponsored Links
DIS ad Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000+	<!--END DCL ADS--> <div align="center">This information cannot be displayed because your browser does not support inline frames.<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com">Click Here</a> </div>

11-26-2009, 09:54 AM	#6
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 15,741	Your kids will be able to see the bottom in much of the snorkel area, but not touch the bottom. Yes, you need to get far out to see any good stuff. As above, a snorkel vest is required. You can borrow a regular life vest for the family area (no charge, get them from Gil's).

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tebi73's DISigns - UPDATED 1-19-10! Name Fills, Celebration, Parks etc.! Post 1187!	tebi73	Creative DISigns	1324	Yesterday 10:07 PM
The 2009 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ Thread	tete01830	Disney Resorts	2266	Yesterday 09:03 PM
Water Parks in January?	Nibbles	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	6	11-28-2009 02:13 AM
hotel water slide height restrictions	proud_canadian	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	8	11-26-2009 11:58 PM
Question about Castaway Cay snorkeling distances...	DarkImage4	Disney Cruise Line Forum	12	11-26-2009 11:47 PM