Stingray City: does it get super crowded?

[Kim&Chris]

I just did an image search on Google for Stingray City. They have tons of pictures, but I noticed that some of the photos show LOTS of people.

For those of you that have done this, can you tell me if it really gets THAT crowded? Geez, some of the pictures look like the guests outnumber the stingrays!

 

[LookOutBelow]

There are lots of people, but, as our guide put it, as long as you have food, you'll have stingrays. There were plenty to go around, even with 3-4 boats in the area. We started the excursion kind of upset because the guide said we'd be there 45 minutes. ONLY 45 MINUTES! That ended up being plenty of time. Half of the people didn't stay in the water very long and the other boats were quite a distance away. It was a great time. None of us really snorkled much. The stingrays were moving around so much, you got a better look standing up.

 

[minniemouse1]

There are LOTS of people there. When we went there were atleast 5 boats there but as long as there was food the rays would come. Don't go with Captain Bryans they are awful.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

It wasn't so crowded when we were there but maybe it was just my perspective as I was on my DH's back as soon as I saw the size of those suckers coming at us from every direction. YUCK!! Amy

 

[disneyophile]

Yes, it is very crowded. There were about 7-10 boats there when we went 2 years ago!

If you get away from the crowd, a few of the stingrays will still come to you, food or not. I had 2 that found me. When I stood with my legs apart, they would swim between them and rub against me like a cat does! It was sooooo cool . They are velvety soft and very docile. When others noticed the attention I was getting (I was giggling like a school girl), they would approach me to get in on the fun. Then the stingrays would swim away, and I'd have to start over.

What a great experience! We have already booked to do it again on our cruise in a few weeks.

 

[PPFQP]

Don't go with Captain Bryans they are awful.

Why do you say that? We are booked with Captain Bryans and have heard others say that it is great. Did you have a bad experience?

 

[kajohn]

Everybody's opinions are different, but we went with Capt. Bryan's aboard the Bucaneer two weeks ago and had a wonderful time! The person who led our group (don't know if that was capt. bryan or not) was great. When we stopped to snorkel he had food that he enticed a mory eel sp? and we got great pictures of it. He knew all the spots to go, and was great taking pictures of us with the stingrays, and making sure everyone in the group had a chance to hold them.

I personally would highly recommend them.

 

[LisaTex]

thanks for making me feel better. we are booked with Captain Bryan's on the 12th & i was already panicking when i read the previous neg. post. Now I feel much better.