yet another Stingray Question

[sleeky]

Can anyone tell me if the Stingrays at stingray city are "wild" or are they in an enclosure? I realise that they seem to be tame but can they come and go at will?

Thanks

Kay

[TurtleTagger]

They are wild, but well fed by humans. No pens, open seas all around at both the Sand Bar or Dive site.

[beach410]

It's in the middle of the ocean on a sand bar, fabulous experience.

[willhunt]

Here is a pic of "Stingray City". The rays are wild, and very friendly. We are going back again this year.

[navybaby1113]

Completely open ocean. One of the coolest experiences ever.

[funfamilyof6]

I am planning on taking my kids on a tour. If my youngest (8) steps on one by accident is there a risk of her getting injured by a barb like Steve Irwin??? Of course if this happened it would be an accident.

[Peg_S]

I am planning on taking my kids on a tour. If my youngest (8) steps on one by accident is there a risk of her getting injured by a barb like Steve Irwin??? Of course if this happened it would be an accident.

 

We were there in March. Our guide (used Capt. Marvin's) assured us that there have been NO incidents with anyone getting hurt by these stingrays. (These are a different type of stingray than the one Steve Irwin was with.) They show you the tail and barb, and tell you to please touch the other end....leave the tail alone and you'll be fine. I think it would be difficult to step on one...I don't remember them coming that close.

 

Peg

[Fourseventeen]

If you step on one it could be an issue....though with these guys its very rare since they are so use to being around humans. Obviously these are wild animals and they can be unpredictable but the chance is slim. And as a poster above said...they are not the same species. A Bull Ray is what killed Steve Irwin and the rays out in Cayman are Southern Stingrays.

[sleeky]

Thanks everyone, my Brother told me he has done a stingray swim and it was in an enclosure. I would have cancelled my booking if it was as I really wanted to be "in the wild".

Thanks again, I'm looking forward to this

Kay

[JLC@SD]

Thanks everyone, my Brother told me he has done a stingray swim and it was in an enclosure. I would have cancelled my booking if it was as I really wanted to be "in the wild".

Thanks again, I'm looking forward to this

Kay

 

Stingray City is more of a "stingray wade" than a swim.

[drew sailbum]

While the rays at the Stingray Sandbar are very habituated to interacting with people, there are still rare instances when people are stung. Happens about 5 to 10 times per year.

 

There are actually two different stingray sites. Stingray City is the original site. The water is about 12 feet deep. The Stingray Sandbar is about 3 to 4 feet deep.

 

Almost all stingray snorkel trips go to the Stingray Sandbar. To add to the confusion, many stingray snorkel trips that are marketed as Stingray City trips actually go to the shallow sandbar site.

[bookbabe]

To add to Drew's comments, that "5-10 times per year" is out of literally dozens of trips per day every day, with anywhere from 10 to 100 people on each boat. It's a busy place, and the instances of injury are really, really rare...and I'm willing to bet the majority of the injuries were due to people ignoring the guide's instructions and trying to chase or pick up the stingrays, stuff like that.

 

If you are careful and use common sense, moving slowly and following the guide's instructions, you'll be fine. If you're really nervous, stay away from the squid (the food used to attract the stingrays) locations. The stingrays will pretty much ignore you if you have no snacks for them.

 

I've been there a lot, and the only injuries I've ever received are minor scrapes from their tails as they turned quickly (I now wear a t-shirt or 1-pc suit rather than a 2-pc). :D

[funfamilyof6]

Thanks for the great information.

[timothy998]

We took the Moby Dick tour last week (they did a great job). It included some snorkeling by the reef then the stingray encounter. The stingrays WILL swim up next to you and rub against you to "check you out." They recommended that small kids not feed the stingrays, and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. We also got to "hold" them in the water...but you have to relax before they will allow you to do so.

[sandyoftheseas]

When my husband and I went to stingray city they recommended to shuffle your feet so you would not step on them. I enjoyed it so much I am going back and taking my sister and mom.

[cruisy-suzy]

We wear water shoes and shuffle our feet.

[timothy998]

We wear water shoes and shuffle our feet.

 

 

Moby Dick Tours won't allow you to wear the water shoes, as they may harm the sting rays if you accidently step on one.

[drew sailbum]

Water shoes are not permitted at the Stingray Sandbar in accordance with the wildlife management regulations. The sand is quite soft so they aren't needed and they could hurt the rays with their rough textures.

[drew sailbum]

To add to the information, the estimated 5 to 10 stingray sting injuries per year are out of more than 1 million visitors to the stingrays each year!

 

You probably have a better chance of getting hurt while bowling.

[bobzee]

Moby Dick tour is great, the are right outside the terminal, try to book the later trip, about 11:30, when you get to stingray city most other boats are gone.........