Has anyone taken young children (4 years old) to Stingray City? If so, can they stand in the water or will they need to stay on the boat? Also, is there any tour operator who is more child friendly than any of the others? Thanks for any insight.

Went to Stingray city several years ago, great experience but even as an adult, I was scared!! Those stingrays are very large and there are many, think it will be too much for a young child unless they stay in the boat. Hope this helps! Susan

We went a couple of weeks ago and the water was rough - 4 to 6 ft seas. I had a 9 year old and a 14 year old with me. It was very hard to stand because of he waves. I had to hold the 9 year old because they kept swimming under us so we were afraid we would hurt them. I would say if you are going to hold the child it would be ok but i am not sure a 4 year old could stand. We went with Captain Brian and they were great. Not a lot of people maybe 20 and one of the guys held the stingray so everyone had a chance to touch it.

We were there in Feb with our 12 yr olds and 8 yr old. The 12 yr olds had no trouble standing. It was too deep for the 8 yr old but we went with Captain Marvins and the guys from the boat took care of her, carrying her on their backs and helping her feed the stingrays while we had a change to see them. She was a bit scared at first until the first one touched her foot and she realized it felt like a cat rubbing against her leg. Then, she could not get enough of them. It was a really great experience for us all.

I just returned. The water is about chest high for an adult so a 4 year old would not be able to stand. You could hold him/her though. Some of the kids on the trip were scared and some weren't. Someone had a baby with them and the 2 parents took turns - one stayed on the boat while the other swam with the sting rays.