Has There Ever Been Sharks Spotted on Castaway Cay?

[mamawanavacation]

I know this is an odd question, but my husband insisted I ask. He tells me there have been more shark attacks in general lately, so he's somewhat concerned.

Thanks!

 

[PizzieDuster]

The only "shark" I saw on CC was the bartender - with those Bahamma Mammas on his head! At the end of the day the sharks come out with the "two for ones"

Seriously, this has always bothered me. I think they net it but I wouldn't want my kids in the water when a "what if" happened. Scarey. I have heard of eels and a barricuda.

Which brings up a great question about what if you are on the bananna boat ride? Is it netted that far out? And the jet skis, they get off on a small sand bar.... yikes!

And would DCL even admit the sighting of sharks? Do they look out for them? Oh lordy, I thought the jelly fish problem on the Mex. Rivera cruise was bad.

 

[Swimmergirl]

I'm curious too. We're signed up for the eco tour on jet skis. It was hubby's idea, and I'm envisioning the sharks circling my jet ski as I frantically try to keep from stalling!

 

[inkkognito]

There is a predator net protecting the family beach but not at the adult beach. I once saw a nurse shark there...they are non-violent so it was very cool. People were saying there were actually two, but I only saw one as it swam by me.

 

[yazee1]

Dh and I were snorkeling in Serenity Bay and he swears he saw a small shark. Probably a nurse shark. I didn't see it, but I've seen them other times when we were scuba diving and they don't bother you.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Like mentioned, the Family Beach area is netted off. However, Serenity Bay is not. I saw a thread last year on someone spotting a shark at SB. They even took a photo of it. I'll see if I can find it. So, your answer is "yes", there are sharks at CC. Luckily, no one has been attacked to this day.

- Jennifer

Updated:
I found the below posts . . .

My husband saw a couple of barracudas while snorkeling in Serenity Bay. He also saw a 4-5 ft shark. They won't bother you if you dont bother them. I was more worried about stepping on urchins.

When we were at Serenity Bay in March we were warned that they had spotted two sharks, a ray and a barracuda that morning. They said they were keeping an eye on them and they would warn us if they came too close. Got about 5 feet from the ray-great photo. Didn't see the others.

 

[Anjelica]

When snorkeling I did see two barricuda but I just didn't go near them. No sharks though.

This story will give you the creeps though. I was a certified junior padi scuba diver in my teenage years (when we lived in Guantanamo Bay Cuba). I loved scuba diving especially in that area as there is no tourism (so reefs are untouched, etc.). Well I did a night dive once with a bunch of adults and while it was cool (saw puffer fish out, etc.) I did see a gray body turning about 20 yards away (this is with underwater night lights).

For the rest of the dive I swam basically in the middle of the pack so I would get eaten last We were diving in the bay which several hammerheads had been spotted in that area months leading up to that dive.

If it makes your husband feel any better I grew up half my life next to water/oceans and have yet to get bitten (now a bloody nose from diving sure but no lost limbs).

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

For the rest of the dive I swam basically in the middle of the pack so I would get eaten last

- Jennifer

 

[Skuba2]

If shark attacks are up, it is probably more because the humans are not being smart. We were diving once and we came upon a small, sleeping shark. Of course, there were individuals who had to go up and grab it by the tail and shake it. The thing just laid there. There is no accounting for the intelligence of some people.

I have only seen stingray at serenity beach--so I can't attest to the shark population. I donned my goggles and observed the stingray at a respectable distance. It was beautiful. And, you will also find sand dollars that are alive and huge seastars.

DG

 

[pouncingpluto]

And, you will also find sand dollars that are alive and huge seastars.

DG

Which you should not kill and take home with you, unlike some people on my cruise. It made me so mad.

 

[Skuba2]

Which you should not kill and take home with you, unlike some people on my cruise. It made me so mad.

OMG! I think I would have turned them in and let them deal with authorities. That is just so unnecessary.

DG

 

[mom_rules]

We've seen small sharks, barracudas and stingray - pretty far out in the water though-in Serenity Bay.
I have pics as well - if I can find them I'll scan and post.

They really do avoid people-try not to wear your "bling" in the water-waiters told us that that was what they are attracted to.

 

[fakereadhed]

For the rest of the dive I swam basically in the middle of the pack so I would get eaten last

That's what your dive knife is for-if you've heard the old diving joke.

Barracudas are really not a problem unless your dive partner has slit your leg to get away as in the above joke.

To the OP-personally, I would rather be seeing what's under the water, than be swimming along unaware.
That's part of the thrill of diving and snorkeling. It's very cool to see creatures in their natural environment. If you have a healthy respect for that, you will be fine.

 

[dlz]

I actually saw on one of the site that you can snorkel with the sharks. I about fainted. I was laughing so hard when I showed my poor kids the picture of the lady swimming w/ the shark and told them we were signed up for it! No way.

A couple of years ago I was in Nassau and the beaches are beautiful so we rented a jet ski. Honestly, I cannot believe how far out they let us go, one mile in any direction. Needless to say, we did it! Stupid looking back. I don't know if you remember this, but the very next week a life guard on that same exact beach wouldn't go into the water to save a girl from a shark attack......RIGHT THERE! I almost fainted. Crazy. So just be aware, they are there and it is obviously their home so be careful!

 

[tom31b]

I know this is an odd question, but my husband insisted I ask. He tells me there have been more shark attacks in general lately, so he's somewhat concerned.

Thanks!

Really, there's not more attacks, just more media covering them.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I have seen the barracuda and the nurse shark at the adult beach, it was so cool.

 

[Hulamom333]

I am sort of freaking out right now... has anyone seen sharks during the snorkling excursions...Shipwreak and Reef snorkling? or Fury Catamaran and snorkle?? I am terrified and in awe of sharks.. I think I would panic if I saw one if the water with me...

 

[mom_rules]

I am sort of freaking out right now... has anyone seen sharks during the snorkling excursions...Shipwreak and Reef snorkling? or Fury Catamaran and snorkle?? I am terrified and in awe of sharks.. I think I would panic if I saw one if the water with me...

I think you are on the same cruise as we are!

 

[lillygator]

do the parasailing and you can probably see schools of sharks....there are tons of things under the water, you just have to be careful. We live close to Venice, which has been know as the shark capital of the world (well, tooth)....but they often show ariel shots and WOW, there are tons!

 

[ramkam]

Didn't see any sharks. We did have a stare down with Barrie this past summer. He is a good three or more feet long and was cruising out by the sunken sub in the Family Beach area.