Has anyone snorkeled at Shark Reef?

[skiingwife]

I just learned about Shark Reef on my new Disney planning video. By the way, it's a great video. My husband is even fired up now. He saw the lady snorkeling at Shark Reef and really wants to do it. (I wasn't even planning for us to go to Typhoon Lagoon and now he wants me to add another day so we can go there.)
Anyway, has anyone snorkeled at Shark Reef? Was it fun? Was there a long wait? From what I read on wdwinfo the snorkeling equipment is free. Thanks

 

[DisFam95]

Yes.. you get the vest, fins, mask, snorkle and then go in groups of 10 or so to sit on a little ledge at 1 end of the "tank". They give you quick 5 minutes instructions, tell you do not reach your hands out and touch anything because there are things that could bite and off you go. There is a current that kind of takes you gently across the tank. You just keep your arms to your side and kick a little.

It was cool. You could see all the small sharks on the bottom and I remember this big round fish..like a platter/dish..swimming right up to me with it's giant eyeball and from my memory I recall teeth!! This was 10yrs ago. I probably takes 5 minutes to move across the tank but we just ran around and did it again and the instructor just let us go in.

It's hardly worth a trip to TL for that but if you are really into it and think you'll enjoy the rest of the park then go for it.

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

I did it with my 2 girls, ages 12 and 4. We all enjoyed it but it was quite cold and salty. Its a short distance to snorkel and kind of much ado about a short swim, but it made an impression on everyone, nonetheless. We enjoyed the rest of the park, too.

 

[Godwyn]

I took a special trip to typhoon lagoon just to go snorkeling with the sharks. I loved it and hope to do it again when my wife and I go in May (even though she says she won't do it). When I went there was no waiting and I swam across about 4 times. Here are some pictures I took in 2000.

 

[crazee4mickey]

My DH and two teenage sons went and thought it was really cool and went twice. The water is quite cold and as it is salty water, it is very salty --did that make sense!!
My little girl tried desperately to go twice but was too scared-maybe she can go again when she gets older!

Godwyn
Love the pics, my one son tried to take pictures but obviously the fish swam faster then he could take pictures--we have alot of the bottom of the tank!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

We did this on our last trip (the youngest two children didn't- so we took turns going across with our oldest daughter- she only went once though. LOL). I'm a little askeered of snorkeling (have done so only once in Cancun and once in Jamaica... the Jamaica snorkeling was AFTER snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon). It was fun- but quick... just like I liked it (didn't have time to get all anxiety about it). I liked it better than snorkeling out in the open waters where BIG fish COULD be.. I tell you that. LOL

 

[magicmouse2]

I did this too and loved it. I had never snorkeled before.

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

DD6, DW and I did it a few times last September.

We have all snorkeled in open water at the Great Barrier reef and in Hawaii before - so it was just OK. For someone who has never done it before, though, it would be a good experience.

The water was FRIGID and I had to get three different masks before I got one that did not leak. They really need to replace some of the equipment.

 

[n2mm]

My 10 year old grandson did it in October and enjoyed it. It did it 3 times that day. Unfortunately for him he ended up with swimmer's ear that evening and had to go to the urgent care center, then couldn't swim the rest of the vacation. He had such a blast, he'd do it again. Him getting sick was too bad, but unrelated (we think). We did think it might be the cold water from the tank, then the warm water of the slides all day, back and forth. Who knows--but he had fun.

 

[jlcbshaw]

Although it has already been said, go and have fun. My son and I were able to go through many times. They do not ask you to leave once you have gone through, so just walk back around and get back in line. They do want you to keep moving, so it is worth it to go through as many times as you can, so long as you can stand the temp of the water, so that you can really feel as if you went snorkling.

In regards to the temp of the water, I was shocked at first and the salt water threw me for a loop, I guess after swimming in "regular" water and then hitting Shark Reef my brain wasn't working. Of course sharks live in salt water, so what else would one expect?

Also a side note, when you pick up the mask and snorkle, rinse them out very well. The one that I had picked up had just come out of the disinfectant and it had a soapy taste to it. I didn't think much of it and ended up with a very soar throat and I don't think it came from the cold water.

Still I'd do it all over again, I hope to become scuba certified in the future and then dive in the Living Seas.

 

[dmslush]

My 13 year old dd is not a very strong swimmer, would she still be able to do this?

 

[Vavasmon]

We have done this on two separate trips had had a lot of fun.

Ask for live vests if you are not a strong swimmer (THey have both kids and adult sizes). They also have an underwater viewing area of you don't want to swim - but it is not nearly as cool.

There are a lot of fish in the tank and it takes about 5 minutes to go across.
GO around more than once - if it is busy you may need to wait a few minutes for the equipment.

This is always the first thing we do a Typhoon Lagoon so we are not yet use to the warm water.

They sometimes had a photographer when get out to capture yours (or the kids sense of accomplishment).

 

[Ted and Holly]

On busy days, remember not to kick. When it is crowded, there will be people accidentally swimming into your feet. It is best to keep your feet still and move yourself with sloww hand/arm movements.

An interesting note, most, if not all of the fish in that tank are native to Florida waters.

Ted

 

[sunking]

The Shark Reef is really very cool and a good into to snorkeling to those that may have not tried it in the past. But be aware that you swim in pretty much a straight line and you will not be able to spend too much time in the tank as they will move you on if it is crowded, but you can always get out and go to the end of the line and start over again. Just make sure you are not going to TL to spend the day snorkeling. I only say this because I don't want the OP's husband to be disappointed.

Have fun!!!
Sunking