Anyone swim with the sharks at TL?

[LuluLovesDisney]

Has anyone here swam with the sharks at TL? Can you tell me about it- what it was like, if you'd do it again, etc. ?

I have heard of people paying for a longer experience and that there's also a free one. Is this true? If so, what's the difference between the free one and the one that costs like 20 dollars or so.

I've done snorkeling before, and I've done the swimming with dolphins, too, so I think this might be fun- although I've heard the water is cold and the idea of sharks is a tiny bit freaky! I know they're not like Jaws, but could anyone get bitten? I mean, even a small bite (like how fish bite)

Anyway, if anyone has info, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

Has anyone here swam with the sharks at TL? Can you tell me about it- what it was like, if you'd do it again, etc. ?

I have heard of people paying for a longer experience and that there's also a free one. Is this true? If so, what's the difference between the free one and the one that costs like 20 dollars or so.

I've done snorkeling before, and I've done the swimming with dolphins, too, so I think this might be fun- although I've heard the water is cold and the idea of sharks is a tiny bit freaky! I know they're not like Jaws, but could anyone get bitten? I mean, even a small bite (like how fish bite)

Anyway, if anyone has info, I'd appreciate it.

My family always makes a special effort to swim with the sharks. They are very small and not really threatening, although they do add a small thrill. If you decide to do the regular snorkeling experience, you might want to be aware of the wait. If it is 20 minutes or longer, I would consider the second experience. In the regular experience, you only get to swim across the pool one time. This is nice if the line is short and you can circle around, however you do have to get in and out of the pool. If the line is long, I recommend the alternative, which my family did for the first time this last trip in June. In this experience, you "scuba" yet you dont go down deep, but stay on the surface. You are in a separate, less crowded pool for 30 minutes for 30 dollars per adult. This is the way to go if you love to snorkel. It was very nice.

 

[TinkerTracy]

I love swimming with the sharks at TL.
It is a really awesome experience. But make sure you get there early. Like this should be the first attraction on your list there...it tends to fill up. You get on a line and are handed snorkel gear (no charge) and then you get on a line, where you hear the safety instructions. Then you get to the FREEZING water's edge and get in and you have to float on your stomach for a few seconds then a lifequard taps you on your back and you are free to go. You must swim WITHOUT kicking your legs using only your arms, and no stopping is allowed (you are also cannot touch any fish/sharks or anything in the pool). The sharks are totally harmless and really don't come too close to you.
This is deffinatly something you shouldn't miss, it's a wonderful experience.

 

[tbthomps]

If the line is long, I recommend the alternative, which my family did for the first time this last trip in June. In this experience, you "scuba" yet you dont go down deep, but stay on the surface. You are in a separate, less crowded pool for 30 minutes for 30 dollars per adult. This is the way to go if you love to snorkel. It was very nice.

What is the price for children if it's $30 per adult??

My daughter is six....she swims but not very smoothly if you know what I mean. Would this experience be something she can enjoy?? Is it possible to use a float while you swim??? My husband is not that great of a swimmer.

Thanks.

 

[mousefamily3]

My ds, age 6, is a great swimmer and I know he will love this. Is it open to children or adults only?

 

[daisyduck123]

My ds, age 6, is a great swimmer and I know he will love this. Is it open to children or adults only?

We were there in May. DH & DS8 swam in the Shark Reef twice. There were younger kids also. They give you a face-mask & snorkel to use, but DS8 just wanted to use his own goggles we'd brought.

Kids just need to be able to swim across the pool w/o kicking. They don't want any splashing in the Shark Reef...just swimming slowly using your arms to propel you.

I recommend an underwater camera also. DH used his underwater digital camera & took some pictures while swimming across the reef/pool.

 

[Darian]

We were there in May. DH & DS8 swam in the Shark Reef twice. There were younger kids also. They give you a face-mask & snorkel to use, but DS8 just wanted to use his own goggles we'd brought.

Kids just need to be able to swim across the pool w/o kicking. They don't want any splashing in the Shark Reef...just swimming slowly using your arms to propel you.

I recommend an underwater camera also. DH used his underwater digital camera & took some pictures while swimming across the reef/pool.

That is absolutely a BRILLIANT idea to bring your own mask & snorkle!!!! I used one of the masks they handed out and it just didn't fit me and leaked like crazy! I'm a certified diver (NAUI & PADI) with a large face. Next time... next time....

 

[keishashadow]

We enjoyed the swim We went EMH after crush n gusher & didn't have more than a 5 min. wait.

Only complaint was the quality of the equipment. DS had a difficult time w/large mask no fitting properly (why do they only have one-size-fits-all?) My snorkel wasn't working right either...difficulty clearing it...oh well, still fun overall.

Didn't see much in the way of sea creatures during swim. Much better viewing in sub.

 

[stites1]

I recommend swimming with the sharks before the new Pirates ride. That way your peg leg will be "cool" and other folks jealous.

 

[jetstrip19]

This experience is SOOO worth it I loved it as a kid!

 

[Antonia]

I freaked out in there once. I remember the water was way colder than I thought it would be. But I got over that and was gliding across when one of those manta rays (may not be what they are called) started to swim towards me. I now know that they are harmless and I knew it then, but when we were in the water together my brain told my body to flee. So I started to kick to get out of there faster and the attendant swam over to me and said "Maam, you're scaring the fish." I wanted to say "well, they started it...." But I didn't and just eased on out of the water. On the other hand, my DH loved it.

 

[Tinkerbellz]

I freaked out in there once. I remember the water was way colder than I thought it would be. But I got over that and was gliding across when one of those manta rays (may not be what they are called) started to swim towards me. I now know that they are harmless and I knew it then, but when we were in the water together my brain told my body to flee. So I started to kick to get out of there faster and the attendant swam over to me and said "Maam, you're scaring the fish." I wanted to say "well, they started it...." But I didn't and just eased on out of the water. On the other hand, my DH loved it.

Antonia...I'm sorry to laugh...but your post made me chuckle! I can certainly hear myself saying that...."He started it!"

The experience was wonderful. The Hammerhead sharks are quite small (maybe 2-4 feet) the fish are wonderful...DH had a little trouble with his mask as well. I had never snorkeled before, and I was a little short winded at the beginning, but finally settled in and enjoyed the swim. We went through the submarine after the snorkel.

Definately worth it!

 

[schoen]

When my BIL was younger he got yelled at in German ata Shark Reef. The CMs kept yelling at him in English, but he was oblivious, so they started trying other languages, and he looked up when they said "no" in German. They went on to yell at him in German, of course he had no clue what they were saying...

Anyway! It is fun, but is not worth it if the line is too long. Last year there were two lines when I was there. A long line is you wanted a snorkle, and a shorter line if you just wanted a mask. I did the mask. I just swam slowly from one end to the other. The water temp is colder, but it was the only water I actually enjoyed in the July heat. It was very refreshing!

 

[akalittleeva]

Do they have life jackets? My kids can swim, but i can't imagine them doing it without kicking their feet.

 

[daisyduck123]

Do they have life jackets? My kids can swim, but i can't imagine them doing it without kicking their feet.

Yes, they have life jackets.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This is probably going to sound like an off-question, my apologies...but is it an issue at all for women to go there during that certain time of month? I've just been wondering.

 

[dkostel]

No, these are tiny sharks. This isn't even an issue with big sharks, unless you are hemorrhaging.

 

[Loves Disney]

I tried this once when I was very young...about 10 or 11 years old. Now, I was and still consider myself to be a strong swimmer...but man oh man was that day one to remember.

My sister stayed back with my mom at the wave pool and I so willingly went with my dad to the...well...shark reef. I looked around the place and saw referances to sharks and what not...I even had my picture taken in the jaws of a shark...you know...that big teeth like thing there.

However, it was my young, ignorant mind that played a part in my most memorable moment there. My dad and I got into the water -- the temp didn't bother me -- it was refreshing. And we started skimming the top of the water.

A CM was under the water and waved to me. I laughed and waved back. He pointed to fish swimming by and I enjoyed it. Then it happened. I looked around more and saw a bigger fish...I yanked at my dad and asked him what kind of fish that was. He grinned and said exactly what it was but all I needed to hear was "shark". I flipped out! I started crying and tried with all I could to climb onto my dads back. The lifeguard came over. Mumbled something to me -- Like I was listening...there was a shark under me! and then pulled me to the side of the pool.

Have I been back since...Nope. Do I plan to go back...of course! I need to make new memories!

 

[iHEARTflorida]

omg i wanna try that but im SCARED

 

[BooScout]

Unlike the last poster, since I was 25 the first and only time I entered Shark Reef, I have no excuse for not picking up on the clues! Ya know, you see a sign that says "SHARK REEF," you'd think it would dawn on me. I even remembered AFTER the fact that I had read about the sharks in my guide book. But at the time...

I was very excited about trying out my snorkling skills that I had acquired back in high school gym - it was a strange gym class! Anyway, the shock of the cold water was a surprise to me, but I really wanted to experience this! I even had a waterproof disposable camera to get shots of the fish. And just as I pushed off into the water there was a shark directly below me! I tried to stay calm, but about half way across the tank I freaked. The lifeguard asked if I was ok, and I said, "yeah," but I paddled like mad to get to the other side. (You're not supposed to kick your feet - at least that's what I remember.)

Mind you, this was the first time I had ever been in the water with an animal other than the ones that wash up on the beach in New Jersey. And you can't see them until they're on the beach because the water is so dark. That's my defense, anyway.

I'm still glad I did it, though. When I'm too old and weak to stand I'll still be able to tell people that I swam with a shark.