Blackbeards Stingray Excursion REVIEW

[cruisinmama06]

Well as promised....here is my review of the Blackbeards Stingray excursion.

First let me start by saying that this place is the MOST beautiful place ever, Better than Castaway Cay {ducking }...better than any beach anywhere. And we've been to alot of beaches.

We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 children (kids Ages 4 and 8). The excursion was booked through DCL.

At 9:45 we were to meet in Diversions (on Wonder) to meet with the Crew Member to take us to Nassau.

By 10am, we got off the ship as a group and met up with Tyrone from the Stingray Tour. A short walk through the port building and out the other side to the boat.

We boarded the boat for a 20 minute ride to Blackbeards Cay (had to turn around for a family who missed the boat ) but still arrived in about 25-30minutes.

Arriving at the dock....

There are two sides for swimming....the swimming area WITHOUT the stingrays....

...and the stingray enclosure area.

They provide the mask, goggles and vest - no charge.

And they provide the squid....

to feed these guys (who are debarbed)

You can leave the water as much as you want. The area is shallow. My 4 year old felt safer on dry land. (funny cause SHE was the one who wanted to swim with the rays)

You can come and go as you please during the stingray feeding times. They are every hour. They also serve lunch (included with the excursion) - the choices were hamburger/cheeseburger/pizza, bag of chip and a soft drink.

For $10 you can hold the stingray and get a professional picture taken with it. For $10 you can get your arrival photo of you and your family at the dock. For $17, you can do a combo package and get both.

There are restroom facilities here - very clean.

You can get the kids hair braided and buy some local items set up on a table.

My kids were a little freaked out by the rays. Some other kids had NO problems. They were all happy on the regular beach side. The one with no rays. That is until a Wild ray - complete with barb swam into the area and freaked them ALL out of the water.

We would NO DOUBT book this excursion again. The beach was better than Castaway Cay. It truly had a "desserted island" feel to it.

We loved it!

 

[barbmouse]

We did this excursion on our Wonder cruise too and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the photos. They are beautiful and brought back great memories. It was truly a great beach day for us too.

 

[monicastanner]

If I had enough posts, I'd add some of my pictures to your thread. We went to Black Beard's the first time as just a beach excursion. I'm not a snorkel kinda girl. When I saw how you don't have to snorkel to enjoy the sting rays, I was bummed we didn't do it. It's the perfect place to get in with them in my opinion. Everyone can do it at their own comfort level and pace. They are so amazing, love how they rub up against your legs. (Like a cat would) Cracks me up!!

The next TWO times we were in Nassau (We've taken 9 cruises) we did this sting ray excursion. It was fabulous! The 2nd time there and first with the rays, we stayed an extended time. It was a slow day there, our ship didn't leave until really late. As we were walking back onto the boat to head back, I said "I wish we could stay longer". A guy who works there heard me and said. "You want to stay? You can stay and take the last boat back, your ship doesn't leave until late and you have plenty of time. Stay if you want and here are some extra food & drink coupons!" No kidding!! We were thrilled. A magical moment that had nothing to do with Disney. We tipped him BIG time when we finally did go back on the next boat about an hour and a half later.

Our last time there was a nightmare. It was a crowded day in Nassau, 5 ships in port I think. It was way too crowded for little Black Beards. Not enough chairs, lines for food & drink were well over an hour. We were miserable. I hope they don't continue to "over book" themselves, it was sad for people there who didn't get the great experience we'd had before. We told several of the people there about it, hoping they'd want to go for a great experience instead of more money in people per day. We'll see......

I disagree and think Castaway is way more beautiful. But.... totally agree that this is THE PLACE to swim with rays!! Every other place we've seen has had a limited time, more "rules", etc... I would recommend this to anyone, anywhere, any age!!!

Great pictures too!!!

 

[jenseib]

Great review!!!

Are you supposed to be tipping people here? I noticed monicastanner said they gave a big tip, but would you normally?

 

[canes96]

Great pics...

Although our little ones were scared of the Stingrays and didn't love the experience - I do agree that it is a beautiful island and beach area.

 

[Mozart]

I did I did!

My review of the Stingray tour is a copy/paste of my Trip Report on the Disboard so there.

I have no fear! LOL!!!!!

I missed it when I read it before. You have guts, I'll say that much.

 

[cruisinmama06]

Great review!!!

Are you supposed to be tipping people here? I noticed monicastanner said they gave a big tip, but would you normally?

We did tip the boat guy at the end. You don't have to. We talked to him almost the whole way out and the whole way back. Some tipped, some didn't.

I missed it when I read it before. You have guts, I'll say that much.

LOL....

Yeah you dissers are protective of your Castaway Cay that's for sure. You can say anything you want about CocoCay, I won't get offended.