Swimming with sharks? I thought I had booked the stingrays?

Have you ever wanted to swim in warm waters and pet the underbelly of a stingray? Then Grand Caymen, Antigua and Turks & Caicos are great places to do this. I experienced these gentle giant sea creatures on tour in Grand Caymen. Our ship was berthed in Georgetown and there was a very pleasant boat ride to get to the sandbar at Grand Caymen’s North Sound.

The day started well with some liquid sunshine. Or just a warm shower to you and me…. These showers keep the Caribbean islands green and lush, but also provide a break from the almost constant sunshine. As we boarded the pleasure boat the skies started to clear and the sun came out. This was a great relief to the people who were paying for the tour and me, as there are always less complaints from tour guests on a sunny day.

There was a safety briefing on the boat before we were allowed out of the boat onto the sandbar. The water was just like a lovely warm bath temperature and only came up to my chest when standing. This made the tour available to everyone, even non-swimmers. I had listened to the briefing and watched where I was placing my feet. I waited for the rays to approach me and had the magical touch of their smooth underside and the not so magical touch of the top side which was quite rough. Although they are tempted to visit the sandbar by the smell of food, that is handed out by the guides. The rays really do enjoy the human contact. I could tell as the same rays came round to me over and over again, unless of course it was my smell? But that day I had showered and really didn’t smell of rotten fish.

I decided to have a little explore away from the boats and the group on the sandbar. I had only gone about 25 metres away from the group when I heard a whistle blowing and looked up from where I was to see the waving was at me.

Now bear in mind how the rays were attracted to me and probably my smell. I was wondering what all the fuss was about. I could hear the guide calling me back and I could see him waving. It was also obvious, it was me he was waving at, as I was the only person over at the edge of the sandbar. Queue music…. D   D….. D  D…. D D D….. DDDDDDDD (difficult to do the music from Jaws the movie but you know what’s coming next). Not a great white, but the largest group of reef sharks I have ever seen and they were getting closer and closer to me. I know reef sharks are safe generally, but then being in the water with a lot of sharks who are larger than me. I had a feeling like no other I have ever had in my life. Racing heart, a hot flush passing all through your body and the thought in my head that I maybe the next shark attack victim. Although this is unlikely a hungry inquisitive reef shark can do some damage to flesh if given the chance. I had eaten a full English that morning so was prime for the taking.

I turned from where I was and tried to casually, but swiftly, swim back to the safety of the group. Later, during the boat trip back to the ship, the guide came over and quietly asked if I had seen them. He had a big grin on his face. Which let me know why they have the briefing, to say ‘stay with the group’. My advice now to anyone on tour is…. FOLLOW THE GUIDES INSTRUCTIONS…. Ha ha ha.

This whole experience, has however, left me with a great shark story to tell my grandchildren in years to come. If you want the best advice for itineraries in the Caribbean just drop me a line on [email protected] or call me on 0333 300 2480.