Swimming with Stingrays in Antigua

Location: Antigua

Recommended by Sara of Big Adventure Little Feet

How do we know it’s ethical?

Swimming and snorkeling with stingrays in Antigua is an ethical experience. The stingrays are not kept in an enclosed area and are free to come and go as they please.

The guides give you very detailed instructions on what you should and should not do as part of the visit.  For instance, you may touch the stingrays in a controlled environment, but never lift them out of the water.

The stingrays come to a sandbar about 20 20-minute high-speed boat ride from the shore.   The area is protected so that people cannot simply arrive on their own boats and disturb them. You have to arrive on the tour and visit with the guides.

Description of the Experience

We first took our eldest son to see the stingrays when he was just 16 months old and our 7-month-old baby has just been too.  They are happy to take young children because the stingrays come to the sandbar which means that you can stand up (about chest height) in the water.  

Before you leave the land to get onto the board the company will give you a clear briefing and hand out your equipment.  

The briefing is especially important as you need to be careful about where you place your feet. They teach you to shuffle along the sand to ensure that you do not step on the sting in the stingray’s tail. There is no need to be nervous as it’s very easy to shuffle in the sand.

You are then taken by high-speed boat out to the sandbar where there is a pontoon that they tie the boat up to. You then use a ladder at the pontoon to slowly and carefully climb down to the sandbar.

Once in the water you can start to snorkel around and you’ll start to notice that the stingrays are gliding around you – it’s incredible! It’s very interesting as they’re like puppies and brush past you, so don’t be surprised when they do.

The guides will then bring out some food to feed the stingrays with and will give you clear instructions on how to feed them. Their suck can be very powerful and you can get fingers caught in their mouths if you’re not careful. We’ve heard, from our friend, that when you do get your fingers sucked up that it doesn’t hurt at all.

You’ll also be able to touch and stroke the stingrays with the help of a guide. They will be very firm about telling you to keep the stingray in the water. You mustn’t take it out of the water.

You’ll be given plenty of time to enjoy the experience and it won’t feel rushed. We spent a lot of our time watching the stingray gliding past us.

Company/ Cost: 

There is only one company in Antigua that offers this experience and it’s called Stingray City.  

For an adult the price is US$50 and for kids under 5, it is free.

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This is one post on a series of ethical animal tourism posts by travel content creators. The experiences cover all seven continents and a variety of animals. Ensure that your animal experience is an ethical one.

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