Stingray Sandbar

[TooPure4u]

Ok....because I read over and over again how the Stingray Sandbar in Grand Cayman is a "dont miss" event...I signed up for it through nativeway. I guess its a bit humerous but I AM PETRIFIED!!!!! I did it because it looks and sounds very fun but I am a big chicken. I even asked the lady at Nativeway Sports that if I am too scared to get out of the boat...can I just stay on and she said yes...no problem.

Anyone who has done this excursion, please tell me that these creatures are friendly and harmless.....and that it will be a great experience!!! lol. There is also a bit of snorkeling at Coral Gardens but I have only snorkeled once and that was at Trunk Bay. The first fish I saw, I screamed and got water in my mouth and choked....so that was it for me. My son and his gf really want to snorkel so I have to go also as it is part of the Stingray package. Lord..what have I gotten myself into???

I guess I just want to hear that it is fun and safe and then I will feel better. I really didnt want to let my son down. Thanks....

 

[WDWLVR]

Snorkeling with the Stingrays in Grand Caymen has got to be one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life.

They are wonderful creatures.

Enjoy!

 

[RKB]

First I must say that I loved this excursion, but I realized that they are not going to let alot of tourists out into a dangerous situatiion - that the rays weren't going to hurt us. The water is waist to chest deep and the sting rays gracefully swim around you. From what you described though I do think there is a good chance that this excursion could "freak" you out. My DS 10 stayed clinging on my back the whole time. Also as soon as you get out of the boat you hear screams all around of people encountering the rays. And yes they do come right up and push and glide against you. They feel like soft, rubbery velvet. Do expect them to swim between your legs and constantly brush against you. Just remember that they are harmless and try to enjoy yourself. Our family friend did say that she would never do it again - the rays just grossed her out. Hopefully this description can help you decide. I say go for it and enjoy it!

 

[TooPure4u]

Whoa.....hmmm, maybe I better re-think this one......

I really think it would scare the crap out of me....something touching me like that.....man oh man...my son wants to go so bad though. I agree that, these guides would not put all these tourists in harms way so that is one positive thing. I know people do this every day and live through it.

Well...thanks a million....I guess I will have to get tough and just do it!!!!

 

[paulgaedke]

Don't miss it. We were there last summer and it was one of the high points for me. Once you realize they wont hurt you and relax it is way cool! I have pictures of me kissing one on the head. They are very tame.

 

[rjh8115]

We were there in March. It was the highlight of our cruise . . . Don't miss it . . .

 

[mark & sandra]

We did it too. You will be charged even if you don't leave the boat!! I'll give you a brief description. We sailed out to the sandbar, about 1/2 hour from shore. There are many, many other boats there with their groups in the water. Your boat drop anchor in about 5-6 feet of water and you get into the water. Your group and guide moves to a shallower area, about 3 feet deep or so and your guide tosses out some food. Picture pidgeons at the park. Your area is instantly the hit of the water. Rays everywhere. Kids FREAKING OUT!! They (the kids)try to climb on top of their parents or any adult. Everyone is laughing and taking pictures. My son climbed up on my head and covered my face so I couldn't see anything. My wife threw bait/food all around me and I was a stingray island. Some rays even bumped me so hard I thought it was another adult pushing me!! It was amazing. A must do!! The guides even pick up the rays and have them squirt everybody...Mark

 

[jgalecpa]

First, Go.

It is a beautiful boat ride in exquisite waters.

Don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with.

Watch what other people are doing. Not in the first three minutes they get in, but in the three minutes after that.

The first three minutes are the "eeks" and "OMG's". This quickly turns into the next three minutes which truly is one of the most unexpected pleasures you can experience on this planet.

If you want to just stay on the boat and watch the rays from no more than 5 feet away, it will still be cool.

If you feel comfortable, then just jump in!

Believe you me (what DOES that mean?), you will come back with a wet suit in all likelihood (one way or another! )

Jim

 

[aprilgail2]

It was the highlight of my day!! We went out with Captain Marvins and did 2 snorkling stops and then stingray city...it was awesome! My then 4 year old jumped right in with me and had a blast petting them as they swam around her. She had a piece of bait in her hand and fed them but then wiped her hand on her knee...well one of them thought her knee was food and started sucking on it...she thought it was hysterical! She ended up with a big hickey on her leg and couldn't wait to get to preschool and tell them about her stingray hickey! One person stayed on our boat and just sat on the edge and watched. I ended up having to buy the DVD they made of our trip because she enjoyed herself so much I wanted to show everyone!

 

[TooPure4u]

You guys really are wonderful. I am slowly becoming very excited....(until I get there lol). I knew I could count on you all to make me feel better about this excursion. I really want to do it to make my son happy. Thanks so much.

Aprilgail.....approximately how much was the dvd?

 

[mark & sandra]

It's not something always offered. We took Capt. Marvins and there wasn't one taken or offered...Mark

 

[aprilgail2]

You guys really are wonderful. I am slowly becoming very excited....(until I get there lol). I knew I could count on you all to make me feel better about this excursion. I really want to do it to make my son happy. Thanks so much.

Aprilgail.....approximately how much was the dvd?

I forget exactly but I am thinking it was around 40.00....I don't remember exactly. They filmed us on the ship,, then at both snorkling spots and also at stingray city. They had a TV right on the boat so they hooked up the video and we all got to watch it on the way back to decide if we wanted it or not.

 

[TooPure4u]

Sorry Aprilgail....one more question. Did you book through Disney? I am booked through Nativeway Sports.

Thanks

 

[TooPure4u]

Nevermind lmao...I just looked back and saw who you went with....Capt Marvins.... Thanks

 

[mark & sandra]

what mark did not tell you was that he was one of the last off boat with ds i was 2nd i thought i would die but within a few i chilled out dd 11 did not step a toe off to scared so we just had a laugh then we went to the corial reef were mark did not get off we were in 10 ft deep water I figured id better put on life jacket if kids are going to be in water before they drowned me let me tell you good thing i did ds no problem he wanted to swim 50 ft away but all i was thinking of is jaws wanted to stay close to boat .dd 11 finley gets in water all is fine she is swiming no problem still a litle weary from stingrays tell her none here ok 20 ft away from boat now i tell her look under water at corial and fish all still cool but gess what should come a long but the dame stingray 10 ft down she fliped out thank god i had lifejacket on she climed on my head i almost drowned had to push her away boat threw life line pulled her in 123 wont make that mistake again so becarefull of the snorkling with kids if they freek your in trouble go a head laugh we do now but it was close I was a gonner and mark stood safe & sound on boat sandra

 

[mark & sandra]

what mark did not tell you was that he was one of the last off boat with ds i was 2nd i thought i would die but within a few i chilled out dd 11 did not step a toe off to scared so we just had a laugh then we went to the corial reef were mark did not get off we were in 10 ft deep water I figured id better put on life jacket if kids are going to be in water before they drowned me let me tell you good thing i did ds no problem he wanted to swim 50 ft away but all i was thinking of is jaws wanted to stay close to boat .dd 11 finley gets in water all is fine she is swiming no problem still a litle weary from stingrays tell her none here ok 20 ft away from boat now i tell her look under water at corial and fish all still cool but gess what should come a long but the dame stingray 10 ft down she fliped out thank god i had lifejacket on she climed on my head i almost drowned had to push her away boat threw life line pulled her in 123 wont make that mistake again so becarefull of the snorkling with kids if they freek your in trouble go a head laugh we do now but it was close I was a gonner and mark stood safe & sound on boat sandra

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I did the Stingray City thing through Disney on our second Magic cruise. I am barely 5' tall and in places the water was over my head. I did wear a life preserver (they had them on the boat) but it was an inflatable kind and I would have prefered a regular one but I still got into the water. DH is a good swimmer so I made him stay right with me. I wasn't afraid of the stingrays, they're beautiful creatures and so soft and sweet. The guides on our boat made sure everyone got to hold one and have their picture taken. I did get back on the boat after a few minutes. Not being able to touch the bottom bothered me so I decided to get back on and take pictures and video. DH stayed in the water longer and I got some great shots of him holding the rays, kissing them, feeding them, etc.

It really is a unique experience and I would highly recommend it.

Even if you're scared, do it. Get off the boat. If you don't like it you can always get right back on. But if you go, and don't get off the boat, you may regret it and wish you would have.