Stingray City for Fraidy Cats?

Newbie Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 6

I'm taking my kids and my parents to Stingray City in June. I'm very excited about it and so are the kids. But my parents are quite wary, mainly because of the Steve Irwin incident. I've told them that was a wild stingray and these are tame, there are a 1000 people out there every day, it's OK if you handle them properly, etc etc etc but he's still concerned and worried about the kids doing it. Any suggestions for easing his fears or do I just have to dump him in the water?

Scott

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum, JSChitwood Smile

,

Please tell your parents that they don't need to worry about being hurt (or killed) by one of the Stingrays you'll encounter at Stingray City.

I'll give you a few facts as I know them......the first thing I have to tell you is that these stingrays are definitely wild, although they have become quite "tame" and accumstomed to being handled by the many toursits that visit Stingray City each day....as long as they are handled properly (the tour operators will either be the only ones handling them or will teach you how to do it properly), there will be no problems.

Also, the stingrays in Australia (where Steve Irwin was killed) are a different species than the more docile Southern Stingray that you find in Cayman waters.

The main thing is that the stingray will only use its barb in self defense, if it feels threatened....I think the main problem would be if you were to step on one buried in the sand, but that won't happen if you follow the guidelines and instructions from your tour operator.

I also don't believe that there have been any serious injuries (if any) to visitors to Stingray City in all the years that it has existed (about 20 years).

We highly recommend taking the tour with Soto's Cruises, where you will be assured a small group on the boat and very personal attention from the tour operators. If anyone is the least bit concerned, they will put their minds at ease, keeping safety at the forefront.

So, no worries, Mon!

Char

Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

JSChitwood,

We've done SRC several times. Going with a reputable tour operator will make certain you get an enjoyable, safe trip. Tell the people on the Soto boat about the apprehensions some of your party have and they should take steps to calm the fears.

Basically, although the rays are wild, they know where their free chow comes from. Mind what the guide tells you about how to interact with the animals and you'll be fine.

Keep in mind that if there were any serious safety concerns, the CAG would not recommend any SRC tours. It has been my experience that Joe will not recommend anything or any business that he feels will endanger his CAG members.

Lastly, enjoy the heck out of your trip and take some pictures for the rest of us to see!

DS

Newbie Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing it all for the first time.

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

JSChitwood,

You'll have a blast. It is an experience you'll not forget.
DS

Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 19

I have been emailing with Soto's because we want to pick a day with less people on the boat because we are taking our 2 toddlers who do not swim...they have been great about answering my questions and concerns

Newbie Joined: 20 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

Went out with Sotos to SRC on April 17, 2009. We took our two daughters (ages 5 and 8) and there were a total of 6 people on the boat. We first stopped at the Coral Gardens to snorkel (which was beautiful) and then we headed on to SRC. There were probably five other tours at SRC when we were out there and it was wonderful only having a few people on our tour as Billy, our tour guide, could spend individual attention with each of us (Billy was great with the kids). The other tours had LOTS of people on their boats with only one guide in the water. As far as the stingrays go, it was freaky at first but we got use to it (there were three stingrays at the Coral Gardens - ask about Frisbee - so you get a feel for them while snorkeling). Initially, Billy had pulled up a stingray that had lost her coil, so that eased our minds to begin with and made it a little easier to touch her, etc. We each fed the stingrays and then, if we wanted to, we could have the stingray swim up onto our chests...an experience we will never forget!

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 11:42 am Post subject: Sotos

I am planning a Sotos cruises with young children who dont swim and I think now we definately do this with them. Ive checked other outfits but I feel more comfortable with what I know on this forum now. Thanks to everyone for all the replies. This a great website and Im glad I found it to help plan our trip. Just a tid bit of info to doggiepaws you can find out when the cruise ships are in town at www.caymanport.com to get a schedule. Its extremly helpful to avoid cruise crowds

Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

JS...check out my recent trip report. You can see the constant smiles on everyone's face while we were at SRC with the Soto's. Billy is very patient and it's his mission to get everyone to at least touch a stingray! Once you try it, you will love it.

Ask to go to the barrier reef instead of the coral reef.

Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Sorry for the confusion! My son signed up today and it was still his log in to the CAG site!

Mike's Trip Report - April 2009.

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