Stingray City Tour - What Time of Day?

[brego]

I am trying to decide between a 9:30 and 12:30 Stingray City Trip. I am leaning towards the afternoon as I am concerned about tendering in time to make the first trip (Zaandam in port at 8). However, I have heard the Stinrays are more abundant in the a.m. as they are hungry and they become over fed by afternoon. Also, wondering about crowds with an a.m. vs. p.m. trip. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[spcl4cs_gal]

If this is Stingray City on Grand Cayman, I went in the afternoon and there were plenty of stingrays around. If you have squid they will come. :)

[FlorenceItaly]

not so early in the morning is best. I am on vacation and it's nice not to have to be "rushed". We are doing a stingray snorkeling tour in Nassau in a week or so, and I scheduled us for noon. It will be nice to get up at leisure, and get off the ship at leisure....not to mention, dh, ds(17) and I are sharing a 122 sq foot room(ACK!!!)...not to worry, not on HAL, on RCI...they have some very small rooms.

Marie

[Candy]

High tide today is 7:30 am; low tide is 9:30 pm. Of course, this changes daily. Sting Rays are ravenous in the morning, but the water will be shallower in the afternoon. I'd do the 12:30. We have gone at various times and never had a problem feeding them, except it's easier to see and stand in the water when it's lower.

I am trying to decide between a 9:30 and 12:30 Stingray City Trip. I am leaning towards the afternoon as I am concerned about tendering in time to make the first trip (Zaandam in port at 8). However, I have heard the Stinrays are more abundant in the a.m. as they are hungry and they become over fed by afternoon. Also, wondering about crowds with an a.m. vs. p.m. trip. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[brego]

Thank you for the feedback. Does anyone have a feel as to how crowded morning vs. afternoon is?

[Budget Queen]

If this is a ship tour, BOTH tours will be crowded. These boats hold over a hundred people and always sell out. You won't have to worry about a tender- ship tours get priority and you will be given a meeting time on the ship for disembarkment. But way superior are the independents like Nativeway and Cpt. Marvin, whom I have gone with many times. You are on a small boat with far fewer people and get an added snorkle site stop on the shorter tour, on the half day also a reef opportunity. For getting off the tender timely, I am always in line an hour before posted and have been able to get off the ship on the first tenders. Cayman is just an excellent port and worthwhile.

[Himself]

I have always found plenty of people at Stingray City. It is always crowded but the sandbar is big enough that you don't "feel" squeezed in.