Is it best to go w/ Carnival for Blackbeard's Cay

[rkmom]

We are interested in doing Blackbeard's Cay, but we were hoping to find an independent operator to go with for more time and less of a crowd. But I can not seem to find anything. Are there not other tours? No way to get there on your own and have as much time as you want?

So, it is looking like maybe we should just book with Carnival. Is it a huge crowd in the water with the stingrays?
We have a 6yo and 3yo, so it sound like this is a good way for them to see the stingrays, even though not good snorkeling.

Thanks for any info.

K

[Bahamaskimmer]

check out Sea Island Adventures if you have the entire day to commit to an excursion

[kaseyoz]

we went in october with carnival on the thriller power boat. we were 2 of 8 people there for the first hour. We had the rays to ourselves until the catamaran came in. Then there was probably about 25-30 in the water. Lots of stingrays and not crowded at all. You could spend as long as you liked with them. We just got bored and then went to check out the rest of the bay until the power boat came and got us. We then went out to sea and the engines were opened up and we just about flew.
A great way to end a great cruise and a great trip.
you will enjoy this
karon
ps there were 3 cruise ships in dock on this day

[Bahamaskimmer]

October is a very quiet month to for travelling, that would be the main reason for the small group on the excurion, as the season heats up all those excursions will be filled to capacity

[scubagirrl]

Originally Posted by rkmom

We are interested in doing Blackbeard's Cay, but we were hoping to find an independent operator to go with for more time and less of a crowd. But I can not seem to find anything. Are there not other tours? No way to get there on your own and have as much time as you want?

So, it is looking like maybe we should just book with Carnival. Is it a huge crowd in the water with the stingrays?
We have a 6yo and 3yo, so it sound like this is a good way for them to see the stingrays, even though not good snorkeling.

Thanks for any info.

K

The only tour operators that go to Blackbeards are offer the stingray tour are those offered by the cruiseships. Thriller runs the Powerboat to Blackbeards, and there are two other tours including the Yellowbird.
Depends on the day and time which tour the cruiseships will use, but you won't find a tour that's not filled with cruisers.