Question on Grand Cayman Stingray Excursion

[onlysons]

Can anyone tell me what the preferred time is for this. 7:30 in the morning or 1 pm. Since we leave port at 5 pm the later time would not allow anytime after. Is the water colder in the morning? Is the snorkeling better in the am. Any advice would be great..

 

[MFan]

Can't tell you which time would be better since we had the same conflict (one being too early and the other too late). We also had another problem with the minimum age requirement (2 of our 3 children are under 5). That's why we booked directly with a local outfit, Native Way. They are less expensive ($25 pp & free for under 6) and much more flexible than DCL. We get to bring all 3 of our kids with us. We can choose to put our younger one(s) in little floats or we can take turn to stay with them on the boat. This way our older kid can snorkel, and we can stay together as a family. Afterwards, they'll take us back to the ship or drop us off at the 7-mile Beach.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

From those I've talked to that have been, and reports read, earlier is better - the stingray are sort of like pigeons in that they get full and less attentive as the day wears on.

Deb

 

[MFan]

Originally posted by FantasticDisFamily
From those I've talked to that have been, and reports read, earlier is better - the stingray are sort of like pigeons in that they get full and less attentive as the day wears on.

Deb

Hmmm... Not quite our experience from a trip 4 years ago. I think we got there late in the afternoon. There must've been a million of them (ok, a slight exaggeration) swarming around our feet. I got to hold one of them on my arms and took a bunch of pictures. I'd be surprised (and alarmed) if they are truly more active in the mornings.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I was just going on what I've been told and we went ahead and booked the 7:30. It works for us. Not too much to getting ready when going snorkeling!

Deb

 

[MFan]

Yes, I agree. The only thing is I have 3 kids all under 6, who needs some help dressing and feeding. Also, we're from the West Coast, so 7:30 AM is like 4:30 AM WST... Native Way offered a departure of 9 AM, which is much more tolerable for us.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I can see where that would make a difference. We're eastern time and kids are 13 & 15.

Deb

 

[Wavegirl]

There is no better time water wise, its always the same temperature and there will always be stingrays. I personally don't like to rush for the 7:30 trip or go that late in the day.

You can book on your own with two great Catamaran operators,

Stingray City Catamaran-Snorkelers Dream :10am-2pm..3 snorkeling stops: $34 for adults, $20 for kids.

or

Captain Bryans Hannibal Catamaran : 9:30am-12pm trip, 2 stops, includes transport. I took my son on this when he was 2 years old so I know they don't have an age restriction: $34 adults, $25 kids

Great trips and you can sleep in, unless your kids are early risers anyways