Yikes...just scared myself by looking at pics of stingrays!!

[SeaSpray]

I really had my heart set on doing an excursion to Stingray City while in Grand Cayman. I just was looking at a web site with several pictures from there and some of them made the stingrays look really creepy. I know, I know, I'm such a chicken!!! I thought they swam low, near your feet?! I saw a picture where it was in the middle of the water, with its' "wings" flapping....and another picture where a stingray was partially buried in the sand on the bottom of the ocean. PLEASE tell me there's nothing to be afraid of! I am very much a beach person. I HATE lakes because of the possibility of slimy fish slithering past my legs or arms... I know the water will be clear in Grand Cayman so hopefully I'll be able to see the stingrays as they approach me. Have any of you been concerned about the same thing but then was OK when you actually went?? Or should I just start planning on doing something else on the day we're in GC??

 

[mylilnikita]

Hi. I went to Grand Cayman about 11 years ago, actually too much time has passed. Grand Cayman is one of the best snorkeling places in the world. As for Stingray City, I did that while I was down there, and like you was apprehensive. But once you are around them, they are so graceful. Nothing to be afraid of. Take your camera and enjoy the experience. I liked it so much that I am going to Disneyworld this November with my 5 year old daughter and I plan to go to Typhoon Lagoon and swim in shark reef-ok, it really isn't scary since the sharks are leopard and bonnetheads. Then on the Disney Cruise 2004, I plan to snorkel or maybe get my Diver's certificate and go on an excursion with Stuart Cove's dive center in Nassau. Have a great time!!!!!!

 

[aprilgail2]

I don't know about Stingrays but I know that the fish swimming all around my legs on castaway cay freaked me out a bit LOL!!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Check out this page...

www.cayman.org/divesite/stingray.htm

Scroll down to the section titled "How to survive it all:"

 

[cruisnfamily]

Cool link, Dave, Thanks!

 

[Chattyaholic]

I hope you will calm your fears and do the excursion. I am not a good swimmer so was afraid of the water, and did wear a life jacket. Getting off the boat I could not touch the bottom, my DH had to pull me along to a spot where I could touch, but just barely. I didn't like that at all but put up with it just to have the experience of "swimming with the stingrays." They are so gentle and soft, just like velvet, really! Our guides were wonderful in helping everyone to hold one, feed them, etc. They would take our pictures too. I didn't spend as much time in the water as I would have liked. If the water had not been so deep I would have stayed in as long as possible. We did wear water shoes and tried to "shuffle" when we walked so we didn't accidentally step on one. But the rays know you are there to feed them and they've been doing this for many, many years. After I got back on the boat, DH stayed in the water and I got a lot of good video and pictures of him feeding them. I hope you go and ENJOY the experience!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone! Dave, thanks for that site, I've saved it and will reread it a lot, I'm sure I really want to swim with the stingrays and NOT wimp out! LOL

 

[TootyJane]

SeaSpray,

Just having been in at Stingray City I can attest that swimming with those things can be a bit intimidating! However, it is one of those "gotta do" excursions and is not to be missed!! You don't have to be right in the middle of it. If you're squeam-ish stay at the outer edges and you'll still enjoy it all.

 

[tezb]

I'm with Chattyholic! I was not really afraid to do the Stingray excursion but more nervous about being in the ocean. Have mostly swam in pools and not such a strong swimmer either. The waves kind of freaked me out and i also had someone help me over to the shallow area. I am normally not that brave (as an adult) but I wanted to do this so badly that I forced myself to get over to the Stingrays. It was great and wished we could have spent more time w/ them. Got some good pics that we will always have to remember. My teen boys enjoyed it too and did well in the ocean...they are good swimmers. (Kids nowadays are better swimmers than my generation I think..lessons and all).

Anyway, they also told us that the only time a Stingray may sting you is if you step on them while they are in the sand. However, they told us not to worry since they were all at the surface feeding. It was just bizarre seeing them swim around our legs, just kept us watching their every move....kind of funny!

Do it, you will regret it if you don't! Chance of a lifetime!

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a link to our photos of Stingray City...though it does take a little bit of getting used to them...the entire experience was fantastic...one of the highlights of our trip.

Once at the site just lick on the right arrow to see a few more pics of the stingrays....don't be afraid it was great!!!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48731914ZhBAek

MJ

 

[NJ Cruisers]

Stingray City is a blast. We did this excursion on 2 cruises - so you can tell I loved it and went back for more. Everyone (and I mean everyone) screams as they get the first brush with stingrays. It is histerical to see grown men (and women) doing a little dance and "screaming" ("YIKES", "EEK"). My DSIL and DN were a little freaked and got back on the boat quickly, but they had fun watching the rest of us and taking pictures.

Go for it!!!

Diane

 

[nicurnc]

Seaspray,
I'm a big chicken, too, but just knew I had to give this a try. I'm so glad I did! It was the most fun!
When we first got off the boat, you can see part of the big dark cloud that are the rays in the water break away and come to your group. Everyone was doing this funny little shuffle because we were told not to step on them. The "Jaws" music was playing in my head! Then they are right there with your group!! The first time one slid past me I literally climbed on top of my husband, only it wasn't my husband he was already trying to get pictures underwater. The second time I found myself on this man's head, I figured I should really introduce myself. Turned out he had the same name as my husband, and was obviously welll trained, because when he heard "John!" he froze!LOL!

But at some point you relax They really are very gentle and do feel like velvet. They don't just stay on the bottom, we have a really great picture of one gliding up over my shoulder. I petted and even held one. Missed out on feeding one, though, by the time I decided I'd give it a try, the food was gone and we were headed for the boat.

My advice to you would be this;
Life is short. If you think this is a must see for you and your family...do it! Even if you hate the experience, you can say you tried it But I think you and your boys will love it. Makes you feel like you're on Animal Planet or something

Loretta

 

[max123]

Hi,

We just returned from the Western 8/16 cruise and the highlight of my trip was the visit to stingray city.

The number of rays did scare my 11 yr old DD and she ended up spending her time on the boat deck, watching, but I absolutely loved it.

The rays are gentle and graceful and as long as you follow the directions of the crew your experience will be great.

thanks

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks so much everyone for sharing your positive experiences I am a good ocean swimmer, so that part of the trip doesn't bother me at all. It was just seeing those pics last night, kind of took me by surprise. MJ: I saw your pics and the rays look HUGE, but like you've said and everyone else says they are gentle and soft as velvet. I am definitely going to give it a try. I think once I get past the initial few moments of getting used to them being so close to me, I'll be ok. As for DH and DSs, THEY may end up back on the boat, but I am going to try hard to stay in the water with the 'rays!

 

[tezb]

The stingrays are pretty big! People who saw our pics couldn't believe their size! Guess they can get to be pretty hefty sizes from all of us tourists coming to feed them! they know a good thing when they see it!!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

looks like i need to go swimming with the stingrays

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

KYCruiseCrazy, does the "KY" in your name refer to Kentucky or the Cayman Islands? Kentucky would be the obvious answer since that's your location, but did you know that "KY" is the official two-letter abbreviation^* for the Cayman Islands? Double meaning! Cool!





(^*as assigned by the ISO... International Standards Organization)

 

[babylisa4]

We weren't on the cruise but did this last year. Think of them as angels. It was so cool.

 

[KathyTX]

I would DEFINITELY not miss the chance to swim with the stingrays!!!

We just did this in June. I was a bit chicken, one of the last from our boat to get up the nerve to get in the water. Yes, I was pretty jumpy, and I think I squealed when the first ray brushed up against me.

But these gentle, graceful creatures were amazing!

More than anything else I can think to compare them to, their behavior reminded me a bit of cats. You know how cats will gently brush against your legs? Almost like a hug? That's what these big guys do. They're not aggressive, but they're not shy at all about rubbing up against you, checking to see if you have some yummy squid to feed them.

Be sure to take a waterproof camera so you can get some good photos in the water with them!

 

[Crankyshank]

Hi!
There are lots of stingrays near my Grandmother's winter home. We've been told to where water socks if at all possible and shuffle your feet as you walk in the water because the shuffling kicks up sand and disturbs the rays enough to make them scurry off.