Swimming ???

[cw2go]

Hello we are looking into a tour with several vendors such as Nativeways, we would like to have a bit of an Island Tour and Stingray City, here's the question..

 

Do you walk off the boat to the sandbar or is there swimming required? My husband cannot swim and is uncomfortable sitting on the boat while I leave, a little ego I suppose. I do understand and since we are vacationing together I would like for us both to enjoy the excursion.

 

Thanks in advacne,

Patty

[jean-lynd]

You do not need to be able to swim. The water will be between waist and shoulder depth. If it is a very rough day the waves may knock you over but you can stand back up.

 

I hope this helps!

 

Enjoy!

[bookbabe]

Usually, the boats try to get as close to the actual sandbar as possible. The bigger boats (cruise ship tour cattle cars) will be a bit further out than the smaller companies' boats, since the smaller boats have more flexibility about where they can squeeze themselves in.

 

Depending on where the boats "park" the water depth can vary a bit, and if it's a crowded morning, some boats have to stay a bit further out in slightly deeper water. All the boats also have snorkel vests available, though. Would he be able to dogpaddle 10 or 20 ft, if he was wearing a vest? That's about the worst case scenario I've seen for distance to solid ground (where you can stand and still keep your nose above water) from the back of the boat...

[cw2go]

Usually, the boats try to get as close to the actual sandbar as possible. The bigger boats (cruise ship tour cattle cars) will be a bit further out than the smaller companies' boats, since the smaller boats have more flexibility about where they can squeeze themselves in.

 

Depending on where the boats "park" the water depth can vary a bit, and if it's a crowded morning, some boats have to stay a bit further out in slightly deeper water. All the boats also have snorkel vests available, though. Would he be able to dogpaddle 10 or 20 ft, if he was wearing a vest? That's about the worst case scenario I've seen for distance to solid ground (where you can stand and still keep your nose above water) from the back of the boat...

 

 

To be honest I don't think that type of vest would be enough, we have a 9ft deep inground pool in our back yard and I cannot get the fear out of him long enough to get him past the 3 ft end. He is only comfortable as long as he is touching the bottom. Hummm.. need to think about it and talk with him more. I am really leaning towards Nativeways...

[bookbabe]

The advantage to booking privately is that you can contact the company and explain the situation...if they know he's not comfortable in the water, they'll do everything they can do to help...

 

Even if he stays on the boat, it's still an amazing (and entertaining) site to see...

[blessedwith12]

I have been with Nativeway twice and they do everything they can to make it an enjoyable experience for you. Prior to going, my husband said he wasn't getting in the water with the rays, but he changed his mind once we were there. Both times I've been there, we were in water waist to chest deep. With snorkeling, my husband did not get out of the boat and it was no big deal. They didn't try to insist that he get in. People got in the water and out according to their own wishes. The first time I went, I didn't do very well snorkeling and I got back in and waited for the others. They don't make you feel bad, and there will probably be others doing the same thing.