Hi Lisa,
It depends where you are staying. Our water is very shallow here in most parts and the sea grass, which is an integral and necessary part of our reef eco system can be found in the shallow waters. It provides a great nursery ground for our sea life. There are some beaches with excellent swimming, but most are maintained by specific resorts and found south of town. Ramon's Village beach, Mar del Tumbo at Banyan Bay and Victoria House come to mind. There are rays everywhere and aren't we lucky? They are wonderful to watch and generally harmless, unless you really bother them. Tell the message board where you are staying and someone who lives nearby will be able to tell you what the swimming is like in that area.