It must depend on the tide. We did a Capt. Marvin's trip to Stingray City just 10 days ago (booked it directly on the island that morning) and the huge sandbar was only about 18" deep at low tide. My 5 year old daughter got in and loved playing in the warm clear water all by herself. The stingrays did not venture into the really shallow water much, which was fine with her. She liked to look at them, but did not like them coming too close. Our best excursion of the cruise, by far. My 7 year old son also loved it. Quite a place.