Castaway Surprise

[jd9891]

We were on the Thanksgiving Magic cruise. I was snorkeling at Castaway Cay with my 18yo son and 12yo daughter. We had planne don swimming out to see the statues and other items submerged. While out there we came across the barracuda mentioned in other posts. It was under one of the white buoys. I stopped my kids and said we would take the long way around. About a minute later it was in front of us, but this time in open water. I was wearing my gold necklace and am not sure if it was attracted to it. We are from South Florida and spend so the initial encounter did not faze me, but when it appeared a second time I have to say I was concerned.

We decided to turn back and on the way in came across a sea turtle. It must have been @ 100 pounds. We were able to swim along side (from a distance) while it swam and ate grass. This was an amazing experience and something we will talk about for a while. I did not realize that something that size would be able to get into the area. I had read about barracudas, sharks, etc. but never turtles.

Just thought I would share this and wanted to see if anyone else had experienced this.

 

[RKKUNK]

Isn't swimming with turtles the best? Go to Hawaii, they are everywhere! It is one of my favorite things. There is a beach in Hawaii that we go to where turtles hang out at and you can swim with them (sorry I am not going to say where as the word seems to be getting out) but that is my happy place!

 

[wilkeliza]

Stories about the barracuda are why I still shake my head at the family that let their 9 year old snorkel way out to the final ropes by himself. For one the kid would not leave fiance and I alone (we were the only ones way out there on that cruise) and for two we felt like we needed to watch this kid since no one else was doing it. I don't know what we would have done if a barracude was around.

 

[WIFamily]

I don't know what we would have done if a barracude was around.

Just make sure you can swim faster than the 9 year old! I'm joking of course! Personally, I hate parents like that.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

You should NEVER swim, snorkel or dive with anything shiny on your person. Anything shiny will indeed attract Barracudas and some other fish, setting you up to be bit!

AKK

 

[NCConch]

A couple of years ago I did the Bottom Fishing excursion at CC. We fished right on the other side of rock wall that forms the lagoon and there were a few 'cuda out there.

 

[emilyann415]

You should NEVER swim, snorkel or dive with anything shiny on your person. Anything shiny will indeed attract Barracudas and some other fish, setting you up to be bit!

AKK

This makes total sense but I NEVER knew that! Thanks for the tip!

 

[eskimoinparadise]

We were on the Thanksgiving Magic cruise. I was snorkeling at Castaway Cay with my 18yo son and 12yo daughter. We had planne don swimming out to see the statues and other items submerged. While out there we came across the barracuda mentioned in other posts. It was under one of the white buoys. I stopped my kids and said we would take the long way around. About a minute later it was in front of us, but this time in open water. I was wearing my gold necklace and am not sure if it was attracted to it. We are from South Florida and spend so the initial encounter did not faze me, but when it appeared a second time I have to say I was concerned.

We decided to turn back and on the way in came across a sea turtle. It must have been @ 100 pounds. We were able to swim along side (from a distance) while it swam and ate grass. This was an amazing experience and something we will talk about for a while. I did not realize that something that size would be able to get into the area. I had read about barracudas, sharks, etc. but never turtles.

Just thought I would share this and wanted to see if anyone else had experienced this.

Snorkeled with this guy for about 10 minutes in Serenity Bay. He really didn't seem to care whether I was there or not

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Snorkeled with this guy for about 10 minutes in Serenity Bay. He really didn't seem to care whether I was there or not

View attachment 141190 View attachment 141192

Most barracuda and sharks will leave a human alone. The problem is that they can give you a nasty bite if they decide to


AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

This makes total sense but I NEVER knew that! Thanks for the tip!

No problem.....AKK

 

[eskimoinparadise]

You should NEVER swim, snorkel or dive with anything shiny on your person. Anything shiny will indeed attract Barracudas and some other fish, setting you up to be bit!

AKK

This could also apply any time you step off the ship. Land sharks like to bite shiny people

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Most barracuda and sharks will leave a human alone. The problem is that they can give you a nasty bite if they decide to


AKK

I would have stayed with him longer, but this guy swam by and I decided to snorkel with him for a while instead

 

[Starwind]

Most barracuda and sharks will leave a human alone. The problem is that they can give you a nasty bite if they decide to


AKK

Yep, if they decide to bite, they will usually bite, then spit you out because you are a yechy tasting human and not the yummy marine life they thought you were ! Unfortunately, you are still bitten...

SW