Swim with Sting Rays

[ricksandy]

We will be on HMC in November (Eastern Caribbean cruise). I was thinking about booking the swim with the rays while there for myself, DH and 13 year old DD. Then I began second-guessing myself, thinking, perhaps it would be better to wait until we're in the Caymans again and do the swim there? Has anyone done both/either and have any advice - Do it now in HMC, or wait and do it in the Caymans because it's a much better experience???

Thanks

[lougee1043]

never did it on hmc -- but we did swim with the rays in the caymans
lots of pax book on their own and many use www.captainmarvins.com (http://www.captainmarvins.com)

the first time we booked with the capt the water was too rough to go out so we had to wait a year to do it -- my thought is book and do them both -- if one gets cancelled you still have the other and if you are really lucky you have swam with the rays twice

[cruisecache&squash]

I'd wait for GC. I think the rays at HMC are penned in so it's a little different. I like the fact that the rays in GC are free and they choose to be there but that's just my preference. Either way would be fun, though.

[papadave]

To add my two cents -- don't overdo anything at Half Moon Cay because just being there is enough. It is really nice. Just enjoy the beach and take it all in without any additional scheduled activities. Or, if the excursion is available, there is a very interesting horseback riding excursion.

Captain Marvin in the Cayman's was great for swimming with the rays.

[LolaWiz]

I just wanted to let you know two things:
first off, if you want to do the stingray city while on Grand Caymen, book a trip through an independent provider (there are a lot of great reviews on the port message boards here) Its cheaper, less people and more oppertunities to really experience them.

Second, be aware that if it is choppy at all, the captain can and will chose to skip this port.
This is what happened in Jan to us. My mom and bro had booked a tour on GC and we could not tender because it was so windy and choppy.
I just want to make you aware.

Best wishes!

[fcorey]

can't speak to HMC expereince, but did this in Caymans on our Carnivore cruise... was alot of fun and one of the highlights of our trip

[the2ofus]

I'm not sure "swim with the stingrays" is the appropriate terminology. The stingray excursion we took on Grand Cayman was at a sand bar where the sting rays were expected to congregate. They were used to being fed there.

We were specifically told NOT to swim, but to plant our feet on the sandy bottom and shuffle along. When you pick your feet up and put them down again you risk stepping on the barb on top of the tail of a passing 'ray'.

[Green4me]

Another vote for Captain Marvins in GC, we will be visiting HMC for the first time this December and have a cabana. I think we will just hang out there and enjoy the water, hold the rays. Maybe try the horseback excursion as posted above. Enjoy

[newmexicoNita]

We will be on HMC in November (Eastern Caribbean cruise). I was thinking about booking the swim with the rays while there for myself, DH and 13 year old DD. Then I began second-guessing myself, thinking, perhaps it would be better to wait until we're in the Caymans again and do the swim there? Has anyone done both/either and have any advice - Do it now in HMC, or wait and do it in the Caymans because it's a much better experience???

ThanksI don't know about HMC, but we did it in the Caymans last December. It was one of the most fun tours we have ever done. Whichever, make sure you do it. We laughed so hard we probably scared the little guys 1/2 to death. We did one that included snorkeling as well. It was awesome: only problem, for snorkeling that day, the water was very rough so most of us only stayed in about 5 minutes: we went off the boat out rather deep I may add. The Sting ray part was in water about 3 feet deep. I know a lot of people reccommend Capt Marvil (or whatever) but we choose, I think it was Bob: the price was better and it still was a great few hours. I would suggest you go to porta call to see what others are saying. NMnita

[newmexicoNita]

I'm not sure "swim with the stingrays" is the appropriate terminology. The stingray excursion we took on Grand Cayman was at a sand bar where the sting rays were expected to congregate. They were used to being fed there.

We were specifically told NOT to swim, but to plant our feet on the sandy bottom and shuffle along. When you pick your feet up and put them down again you risk stepping on the barb on top of the tail of a passing 'ray'.Technically you are right, but it still was fun and worth every minute of the excursion.

[Bodger]

The HMC experience is indeed a swim. You are not allowed to walk in the pen for the reasons mentioned. They provide you with snorkel gear so that you can float/swim above and see the 'rays. You can stand on the steps down to the pen, and the stingrays will swim by your legs. The touch is incredibly smooth and gentle, more so than our cats.

I haven't had the Cayman experience so can't draw any comparisons, but we enjoyed the HMC experience, even our ten year old niece had a great time.

Bodger

[hammybee]

I have spent a lot of time in GC and doing the sting ray thing is the best outing of all. There are two different kinds, a true snorkle and one where you are standing. Both are fun.

Some of the providers of snorkling excursions also film the whole thing from underwater and offer videos for sale afterwards. Let me tell you, it's a good thing that most people look alike when being filmed from underneath, cause most people are not holding in their stomachs, while playing with the sting rays.

I would wait to do this in GC instead of HMC. All one needs in HMC is a good floatie and strong SPF unless of course, being waited on , hand and foot, in a cabana and sipping frothy drinks all day, is your idea of fun. Decisions. Decisions.

[Sunshine91]

We did the stingray thing a few years ago in GC - highlight of the week. Yes, you are standing in chest-deep water on baby-soft sand. But, you can see your feet to shuffle along so that you don't step on a ray. Not knowing then about CC or independent tours, we booked thru HAL. Couldn't tell you who the tour operator was.

It was pretty incredible when the boat pulled up to the area where the rays are to anchor. You could see the rays head for the boat, like cows coming home to the barn, or pidgeons flocking to a park bench. It was hilarious. The crew give you something yucky to feed the rays who then fly up your arm to get to your hand to hoover it in. I wasn't too thrilled with that idea but really liked it when a crew member would hold a ray for me to pet it. The rays seemed to like that too.

As for HMC - ahhhhh, my happy place. I didn't realize the rays there were penned, but it makes sense if they were imported. All I need at HMC is a floatbed, high SPF & a cold beverage. :)

My Q - if you've booked independently & I've assumed paid for the trip but then the port call is cancelled (i.e. bad weather) are you out your money?

[Lvteks]

We did both. This year at HMC and 1998 a GC. In between on a ship ex. No comparison. GC on a small boat...we were four, probably could take at least eight. Sunny, warm water slightly above waist high; no one else around for quite some distance. Once I figured out that the mouth is considerably away from the tip of the ray, I had no trouble feeding them. Just that the first time when you think you are going to be dinner is a little disconcerting. I flailed aound, then thought I'd be attacked, but no such thing. I think the rays knew we were first timers, and that Capt. Ernie had lots more goodies for them. After the rays we sailed to another area for snorkeling. He's not in business anymore, at least we couldn't find him the last time we were in GC. We took a ship tour which was very disappointing....big boat actually along a reef. Lot's of people, very rough water, too deep to stand and limited "feeding". Go private and small, it's worth it.

HMC is not exactly a pen,the rays can swim in and out as I recall, but no standing permitted. We were given wet suits as it was chilly. This let us actually swim with the rays only they do it better. Others just stood on the steps. If this were your only opportunity and you didn't want to bother with a boat etc, it's definitely convenient. There were no handlers in the water but the rays knew the drill as far as being sociable.

Be sure to do something because the ray adventure is high on my list of things I'm glad I did.....and my daughter had to talk me into it the first time! Petting a sea creature is unlike any land adventure.
Have fun.

Blessings,
Gail

[Sayyadina]

I'd wait for GC. I think the rays at HMC are penned in so it's a little different. I like the fact that the rays in GC are free and they choose to be there but that's just my preference. Either way would be fun, though.

The rays at HMC are penned in. We did the 1-hour Kayak excursion there and got a chance to touch them through the fence. Woo-hoo.

[Frogs]

My suggestion is to schedule the one at HMC and if you can do it again at GC go for it.

On my first cruise our stop at GC was cancelled due to rough waters. Their port authority closed the port. :( We had scheduled with an outside company for the Sting Ray experience and were disappointed that we wouldn't be able to experience the Sting Rays. You never know what will happen.

We will be on HMC in December and are planning on tearing ourselves away from our Cabana to enjoy this experience.

My Q - if you've booked independently & I've assumed paid for the trip but then the port call is cancelled (i.e. bad weather) are you out your money?

We didn't pay for the GC excursion up front so we were out no money for the canceled port.

Blessings & enjoy your Sting Ray experience!

[LAKNARF]

We went with Capt. Marvin earlier this year in Cayman. EXCELLENT. The benefit of going with Capt Marvin is:
Limited amount of people on his boat. When we went there were about 8 of us, the Captain (himself, he still works) and 2 crew members. The ship tour had almost 100 people.
In addition to sting rays we did a snorkle stop
We did not pay until we went to Capt Marvins place. We did not have to pay when we booked it, so if the ship misses the port you do not have a problem.

[ricksandy]

Thank you all so much.. I think what a lot of you said is right... Do it in HMC AND in Caymans!!

Those who mentioned the horseback riding.... I did that last year and HIGHLY recommend it - it was incredible!

Thanks to all for the advice :)