Cayman - Turtle Farm Day or Deluxe Stingray Snorkel

[mlayton14]

Really struggling with the choice of excursions - we are 2 adults and 2 young girls (8 and 6 years old). On the one hand the Turtle Farm looks interesting because there is a lot to do in one place, but I have read some negative reviews that people were underwhelmed by the whole thing. On the other hand, the Stingray excursion looks really unique and amazing, but arent my girls a bit young for something like that? It looks kid friendly with the boat having stairs and the water fairly shallow .. but its possible that my girls would be scared which would make the whole thing a disaster.

Then, there is the island tour which does both .. but its 30 mins at the Turtle Farm (what can you do in 30 minutes?), a wasted stop at hell (havent yet read one good review about this), and the Stingray snorkel which I assume is abbreviated given the time constraints.

Anyone have experience with both or all 3 that can comment ? What would you do and why?

Thanks !

 

[Patsydust]

Well I did the Dolphin Swim + Turtle Farm! The turtle farm is directly across from Dolphins! When I did them I looked forward to the dolphins but it turned out I liked the turtles better! I will say it can be underwhelming if your expecting a lot. Pretty much except for a few museum/walk through type buildings, all it is is a big area in the center (large lake/pool type thing) with lizards and turtles, a few closed areas with LARGE (150+lb) turtles, and holding baby turtles. The best part was holding the baby turtles. Its like 5 mini 3 feet tall pools with lots of turtles you can pick up and hold and one pool allows you to walk into the water with them! I really enjoyed doing both but it took the whole time I had and I had wanted to go to Hell. I can't speak for the sting rays because I have never done it, but I'm sure that'd be cool too! I doubt I really gave you any good intel to decide with but you could always do the stingrays this trip? And then turtles on another down the road? I really liked the turtles, but I'm easily pleased!

 

[sdjen]

Could you consider doing the stingrays at Castaway? From what I've researched the "wild" stingrays in GC it can sometimes be harder for little ones if the waves are rougher that day and the water can be deeper than some kids could comfortably touch. We have done the stingrays at castaway and the water is shallow and very kid friendly.

We did the turtle farm when my dd was 5 and really enjoyed it. Since you can see turtles and also swim after it can be a fun excursion.

 

[anricat]

Our plan is to do the island tour. We sail Oct 23. I'm happy to report on it when we get back assuming you don't sail before then.

 

[mlayton14]

Our plan is to do the island tour. We sail Oct 23. I'm happy to report on it when we get back assuming you don't sail before then.

Sailing 10/31 so prob too late but still want to hear your review after

Thanks everyone else for your feedback, would love to hear more

 

[mlayton14]

Oh and Sdjen not considering CC for stingrays, plenty to do there without that , just looking for something fun rather than staying onboard in Cayman

 

[MickeyMeCrazy]

I have a 4.5 year old son and we will be doing the Stingray and Turtle Farm combo through Discount Excursions. This is a stop at Stingray City, Coral Gardens for snorkeling, and an hour at the Turtle farm.

I do anticipate my son may not be able to touch the bottom depending on the tide but will have a life jacket on, and between my husband and I, will keep him within our reach. I think he's too young for the snorkeling part so my Husband and I will stay on the boat with him taking turns, or take turns staying with him if he wants to swim in the water depending on wave conditions.

We sail October 9th! You might want to book prior to my return, but I'll report back!

 

[lillygator]

the stingrays at cc are different than the gc. my girls were 4 and 7 when we did the stingrays. we loved it. my 7 year old would not get off the boat, but the guys brought starfish and other wildlife including the swimming iguanas to her. my 4 year old was out there kissing the stingrays and feeding them with us.

we go back next year and dh wants to do it again as you are supposed to get 7 years good luck after a kiss...we desperately need it.

 

[lillygator]

its funny the stingray adventure on CC is something we experience for free here in FL...starting with the stingray shuffle....make sure you don't step in the water on the shoreline but shuffle through the sand to wake up the rays...

 

[Robin"D"]

This is the only place in the world where you can be with the Sting Rays in their home....
Not in a man made lagoon/ pool NO CAGES AT ALL
IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT THE STING RAYS,

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[DisneyMOM1022]

If it's one or the other I say sting rays. It's been a while since I've been to Grand Cayman, but the sting rays were a great experience. The turtles, eh. It's just a bunch of turtles in pools. The sting rays are in shallow water. I remember it being about waist to stomach high and we were swarmed with sting rays. We got the feed them and touch them. They're wild, but very used to people visiting daily so they aren't shy. Very neat and memorable.

 

[anricat]

Sailing 10/31 so prob too late but still want to hear your review after

Thanks everyone else for your feedback, would love to hear more

Just back! We LOVED our excursion. We met in D Lounge at 7:15, we were off the ship around 7:30 (so don't race to get there at 7:15, if you're a few minutes late, it's okay). We got to the island and we loaded onto buses and had a nice bus ride around the island. We made a stop at the turtle farm first for 45 minutes which was just perfect. Then we went to Hell. That stop was a little longer than it really needed to be, but it was fine. Then we went to a boat dock and we were loaded onto a boat and taken to Stingray City (about 30 minute boat ride). We had a great time with the stingrays. Bring money. We didn't bring but a few dollars to get little souvenirs. I wish we had the $40 for the pictures the professional took on the boat with the stingrays. They were way better than ours. Oh well. We were there for about an hour and it was just the right amount of time. Then we headed back to the boat and arrived at the tender dock around 12:15. We shopped a bit and were back on the ship by around 1, for lunch in Lumiere's.