Was anyone afraid?

Newbie Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: NJ

hello All,

I have been reading with much interest about the sting ray trips. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I am frightened. I want to see it, but I don't really feel very comfortable. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks Much,

Bella (aka chicken)

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject:

Bella,

Do not be embarrassed at all. I, like you was and still am very frightened. My family got me to venture into the water, I have a HUGE fear of being out in the sea and of any creature in the sea !!!!! Yes, I know you can stand but the only way they could get me to go in was with a life vest.

Didn't stay in the water that long but I have to admit that I am very happy I did it. Those stingrays are huge and they do come up to you. I had my photo taken and returned to the boat. Smile

Whatever you decide, make sure you go with an operator that only takes small groups. You DO NOT want to be in one of the "party" boats.

Here's proof that I did it.

Let us know what you decide.

Heidi martini

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject:

Hi, bellabaci!

My mother-in-law was worried about it before our trip. However, when we got there she didn't utter a word about it. She was in the water right away. I think it was one of her favorite moments of the trip. Being with an operator with fewer people is definitely a plus. They will do everything they can to help you get comfortable. Plus, you will probably also get a chance to snorkel at the barrier reef. It is one of my favorite spots!

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1213 Location: Illinois

You could always stay in the boat and watch everyone else if you want to. Then if you get up your courage, you can dip in the water if you feel like it.

Shelly :-)

Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

Hi Bellabaci!

You COULD just stay in the boat - but pleeeaaaseee DON'T"

Just like you, my wife and I were a little apprehensive about the trip. Confused

However, once you get out there and see these magnificent creatures, we really couldn't miss the experience of a lifetime!

Our two boys (Ollie, aged 7 and Fraser, 5) were both out in the water with us and, like so many others, felt it to be the highlight of a wonderful vacation.

It's nowhere near as spooky as you think and I am sure you would just regret it if you missed out on such a magical experience.

Life's too short - just go for it!! Jump

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:51 am Post subject:

When I went, I brought a group of 30! I would say about 10 people were more then a little frightened... split

BUT if u take your time ease into the water at your own pace or with a partner who is also nervous, it makes it a but easier. jump2

Think of it this way, we are all from all parts of the country or world. There are lots of things many of us see on a daily basis and don't think twice about...but someone else from another state may be a bit more cautious when encountering the same thing. poke

Point being these animals are seen by hundreds and thousands of people very day. fish

They are more tame then some of the people I know... Mr. Green

You are encountering a new experience, one that you can't encounter every day..or maybe ever again...so take your time, enjoy the ride and just like anything new...work towards the experience and your outcome will be very gratifying! ThumbsUp

Good Luck!

Edited By : akatora Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:11:53 -0400

Bellabaci wrote:

hello All,

I have been reading with much interest about the sting ray trips. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I am frightened. I want to see it, but I don't really feel very comfortable. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks Much,

Bella (aka chicken)

Dear chicken bella,

Be not afraid! These southern stingrays love humans. They are used to being fed and can't wait to greet you when you arrive. Yes I know they have "the barb" but they are not going to use it unless they are being attacked. Just shuffle your feet so you won't accidently step on them and you'll be fine. They DO have a mouth that has very strong suction (stronger than a vacuum) so you have to feed them a certain way to avoid getting a hickey Laughing

The crew on your boat will show you what to do. You don't even have to feed them if you'd rather not. Stingrays will rub up against you and beg for kisses too, I swear!

From my trip in July 2007:

A boat! Look guys, a boat! Let's go say hello!

Me feeding a big female ray (the big ones are the females) Cool

The vacuum cleaner mouth

Me hugging a stingray

My daughter kissing a stingray on the nose

My friend Jenn having a private moment with a stingray. Notice the nose of the ray is turned up. The stingray is doing that on its own, actually WANTS to be kissed. The friend is merely rubbing/caressing the underside of the stingray and is not forcing it to remain there. The stingray wants to be there.

Really, being afraid is understandable but once you're there your heart will melt for them.

Ant rose

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1213 Location: Illinois

Ant

those are great pictures!

Shelly :-)

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:07 pm Post subject:

shelly wrote:

Ant

those are great pictures!

Shelly :-)

Thanks Shelly. I forgot to add that my daughter was PETRIFIED about going to Stingray City sandbar. She swore she would stay on the boat and just watch. With all the smiles, laughter and a little coaxing from Jenn she ventured into the water and had a great time.

Ant palm

Newbie Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: NJ

Thank you all for the great comments and advice. I do still have a question, How do you know which companies take out small groups? Do they consistently take out small groups, or is a demand type issue?

Smile

Thanks again,

Bella (still a chicken)

ps I loved seeing the pictures. I think seeing the children in the pictures might toughen me up a bit.

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:19 pm Post subject: LOVE THOSE RAYS

ONE OF THE BEST TIMES WE HAD ON ISLAND. THIS WAS OUR SECOND AND WHEN WE RETURN, WE WILL GO AGAIN. WATCH OUT FOR STING RAY HICKIES Wink

.

Edited By : akatora Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:31:19 -0400

Bellabaci wrote:

Thank you all for the great comments and advice. I do still have a question, How do you know which companies take out small groups? Do they consistently take out small groups, or is a demand type issue?

Smile

Thanks again,

Bella (still a chicken)

ps I loved seeing the pictures. I think seeing the children in the pictures might toughen me up a bit.

Soto's definitely and I think Oh Boy charters (not sure) use a small boat all the time no matter what. Some other operators use a catamaran which can possibly be nice but they hold 50 people and you are taking a chance. I made the mistake of doing that last year and it was a zoo. (The reason my daughter was petrified this year - there were so many people last year, and so little attention from the crew she was overwhelmed and didn't want to do it again.)

Cruise ships charter humongous boats that can hold HUNDREDS of people. Stick with Soto's and use the Activity Guide coupon to save money - they are also the cheapest! Try to schedule when it is a light cruise ship day. The cruise ship schedule is posted on this site somewhere.

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:

Just to paraphrase what has been said, you have a better chance of being struck by lightening than getting stung by a stingray at Stingray City. Tens of millions of people have dived and snorkeled at Stingray City and Sandbar during the last half century and we average about one injury per year, which has never been anywhere near fatal; usually as the result of someone not listening to the briefing. This provides yet another reason for going with small and well supervised groups, such as the establishments we recommend. Wink

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