Star Princess 4/2/06 - Stingray snorkel

[SunLeslie]

We are going on the Star 4/2 for our DS wedding - have 10 going +bride&groom. Just wondering if anyone has been on the Stingray Snorkel in the Caymans. Looks like fun but not any "real" snorkeiling. Please advise. Thanks. I love this website. Any other 4/2 people on the Star.

[chrysalis]

it is a "not to be missed" experience......and you are right, not a real snorkel...the water is shallow.

[LeeW]

Actually there are several Stingray trips that you can book through Princess. Ours had around a 45 minute snorkel in 8' of water on a reef near the stingray sandbar and then we moved over to the bar. No fins allowed and you stand in chest deep water with dozens of rays up to 3' across flying around you. Hold a piece of squid in your hand and you are an instant friend (otherwise they just brush by). Big soft kittens (although mouth is kind of like a vacuum cleaner and tail is kind of like a file). Guides will hold a ray, let you kiss it for luck, and sometimes drop one on the back of someone taking photos and not noticing. Great fun. Buy the DVD - you will get some great shots and great memories. And take several underwater cameras.

[Nor'Eastah]

Another option to the Stingray City ships tour is to charter a sailboat and visit the 'old' Stingray City. The ships tours go to a sandbar where you can stand and the Stingrays swim around you. There are lots of people there from the pictures I've seen posted here.

 

Not being big fans of crowds, we chartered a sail boat for half a day and the captain took us to the 'old' stingray city. It is in deeper water, we were the only ones there and we actually were able to swim, snorkel and (the brave among us) dive under with the stingrays. We then went a little farther out to a gorgeous reef area for the best snorkeling I've ever done. The captain even let everyone have a turn at sailing/steering.

 

It was fantastic to have the whole place to ourselves and a great treat to be on our own 40 foot sailboat. We felt like millionaires. Our whole party agreed it was the highlight of our cruise.

 

Here's a link to the site where we reserved the trip.

http://www.redbaroncharters.com/index.htm