Need water shoes for Stingray City?

[sealonsf]

I asked this in another thread, but it might get buried. Question for anyone who has been to Stingray City. Should we have water shoes or is barefoot okay? Thanks!

[runner15km]

Water shoes are not allowed in the water because you may harm the ray's if you step on them.

[Grits53]

Barefoot is the ONLY way! They do not allow shoes of any type in the water with the stingrays. I bought water shoes the first time we went, but I had to leave them on the boat. However, it is very possible that your shoes will get wet on the boat, so you might want to wear them on the excursion anyway.

[DDFla]

The sanbar is great, no need for shoes regardless.

[sns101]

Our guide told us not to wear shoes, because if you did you may accidentally step on a ray and not know it. If you're not wearing shoes, you'll feel their slightly rough topside right away and pull your foot back before putting much weight on the ray. The rays are very, very used to people and accidental brushes, jostling, bumps, etc. and even tolerate being held, but I'm sure if you were standing on it and putting your full weight on it, they would react defensively.