Is Stingray City worthwhile to dive (vs. snorkel)

Hi all,

I guess many of my questions in my first post were more centric to another topic (moved appropriately - thank you). But this one is definitely dive-related. With a short stay, and family joining me, my diving opportunities in my upcoming trip are going to be pretty limited, so I really hope to hit the best spots. I was wondering if anyone could comment if Stingray City is worthwhile to dive, or do you think it's really a better snorkeling experience. With limited time, we may need to choose between one or the other...

Also, it sounds like Sunday is when it's least crouded - any recommendations as to what day might be second-least crowded? I know some of you who live on the island probably think of it as one of those overcrowded, touresty things, but it just sounds like such a unique experience... Thanks!

-Scott

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

Hi Scott,

Welcome to the forum Smile

!

I'll try to answer your question about diving Stingray City vs. snorkeling, since I've done both a few times. The experiences are quite different and both are fun! The Stingray City dives are done in the "original" Stingray City which is in about 12 feet of water in the channel in the North Sound. All the snorkel trips go to a slightly different location called The Sandbar, which is very shallow.....people can easily stand. It gets confusing cause everyone calls both places "Stingray City".

I think a lot of it depends on what the rest of your group wants to do. If you were the only diver and the rest were only snorkelers, then I would say to just all go on a snorkel trip. Some of the dive boats do let snorkelers come along, but, in my opinion, they just don't have the same up close and personal experience with the rays that they would have in the shallower sandbar, since they are so far above the rays.

I did go back and read your first post and saw that you have three other people who will be diving with you and are either brand new divers or a little rusty on skills. I think that the Stingray City dive would be perfect for them! It's such a nice easy dive.........the only problem is that you need to take some extra weight since it's actually hard to control your buoyancy (since it's so shallow). What most people do is to actually kneel on the sandy bottom and just stay put and let the rays swim all around you. The less you swim around and stir up the sand, the better. Then, hope that all your dive buddies will be as considerate.......otherwise, the sand gets really kicked up and visibility gets poor. It is really fun, though, when the rays just swim right close over your head and kind of envelope you like a blanket or a sombrero. It's a little unnerving at first, but really fun.

If you're worried about the crowds, since that is usually linked to the cruise ship schedule, go to this thread which takes you to a really cool site telling you how many ships will be in port on any given day....

Sorry for such a long answer.....please ask if you have any other questions.

Char

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Char,

That was exactly the stuff I was hoping to find out, and more - thank you, thank you, thank you. (and thanks for the Cruise ship schedule link!).

-Scott

Post a reply