Snorkeling with Stingrays & Discover Cayman Tour

[WDWLVR]

Looks like this is the tour we are thinking of taking in May. Has anyone taken this one before?

We definately want to see the stingrays, Hell, and the turtles. The other tour that offers this is the Island Tour and Snorkeling with stingrays. This one leaves at 10:45 while the one we are looking at leaves at either 7:50 or 9:45.

Opinions please.

 

[inkkognito]

We did this one on our first Western Caribbean and really enjoyed it. First you are broken up into vanloads and then transported to the Turtle Farm and to Hell. There was plenty of time in both places to check everything out without feeling rushed. At the turtle farm, there is also a rum cake store with free samples...mmmm! OIur guide helped us get photos holding the turles. Then we drove down to the dock where we were all assigned to small boats along with our vanmates, which made for nice small group sizes for Stingray City. Our guide on the boat handed out bait and helped us hold stingrays for photos. After you are done snorkeling, they shower you down with fresh water as you get back on. There were beverages on the boat and also a very small restroom. The only thing to keep in mind is that this tour might run long...we got back quite a bit after the stated time (normally I wouldn't care, but we had spa appointments booked afterwards...thankfully, we made it in the nick of time).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Barb - We're going to take our own snorkling gear on the cruise with us. Do you really do much snorkling out with the stingrays - or just get in the water with them?

Another question - if we do take our gear - do you thing it would be safe leaving it in the van while we go to the turtle farm & Hell?

Thanks!

 

[inkkognito]

I wouldn't really classify the experience with the stingrays as snorkeling with them...it's more like interacting with them. The water is only waist deep, so you can stand up. Most people just put on the snorkel masks and swim around to get a better view. But mainly you are standing there feeding them, petting them, etc. Your items should be fine in the van, since they lock it and then you go back in the same van.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Thanks Barb! I really don't want to pack any more gear on the excursion than what is necessary!

 

[alexturner74]

By the way, the "Snorkeling with Stingrays & Discover Cayman Tour" and the "Island Tour and Snorkeling with stingrays" are pretty much identical except that they are run by two different touring companies on the island.

We did the "Island Tour..." and it was excellent.

BTW, when we were with the stingrays, I was just barely able to stand up in the water and I'm 6' 2" and my wife had to swim or snorkel the entire time. It really depends on where you are on the sand bar.

Alex

 

[inkkognito]

At the shore excursion talk, they said that the one called "Island tour..." has smaller groups than the other one. I don't know if that is the case, but the groups for the "Island tour" one were definitely small enough so that we didn't feel rushed or crowded and had plenty of personal attention for everyone from the guide to feed the stingrays, take photos, and even coax nervous little ones into the water.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com