Is snorkeling safe at Castaway Cay?

[fairytalelover]

I've always been afraid of going into any ocean due my fear of sharks. So I typically stay on the beach, suntanning with a cocktail. But my family would like to do snorkeling and were considering signing up for that Getaway Package that includes snorkeling in the Family Beach area, bike rentals etc...

Is the area where they do the snorkeling in open water or is it in that "protected" area in the Family Beach section where supposedly sharks etc... cant get through?

 

[cedricandsophie]

My husband snorkels every time we are there. It's all very safe. He certainly hasn't seen any sharks the 10'plus tim he has been there. And he ha taken our grandkids out with hm. There are lifeguards surrounding the area. The water is usually pretty warm.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've always been afraid of going into any ocean due my fear of sharks. So I typically stay on the beach, suntanning with a cocktail. But my family would like to do snorkeling and were considering signing up for that Getaway Package that includes snorkeling in the Family Beach area, bike rentals etc...

Is the area where they do the snorkeling in open water or is it in that "protected" area in the Family Beach section where supposedly sharks etc... cant get through?

On the Family beach, it's in the "protected" area. There are nets, keeping larger aquatic species away. That said, the nets can get holes in them from time to time and a shark (usually a small, non-threatening one) or a barracuda have been spotted on random occasions there.

 

[squirk]

I've snorkeled there four times now, and have never seen anything to cause me concern. As Shmoo said, Disney has taken every reasonable precaution to make sure nothing dangerous makes its way into the area.

That having been said, no one can give you a 100% guarantee that something would never ever get through the nets, just as no one could give you a 100% guarantee that you would never ever get struck by lightning. But the odds are infinitesimal that either event would happen. In fact, I think the odds of a shark attack are far less likely than the odds of a lightning strike.

 

[ludari]

I've always been afraid of going into any ocean due my fear of sharks. So I typically stay on the beach, suntanning with a cocktail. But my family would like to do snorkeling and were considering signing up for that Getaway Package that includes snorkeling in the Family Beach area, bike rentals etc...

Is the area where they do the snorkeling in open water or is it in that "protected" area in the Family Beach section where supposedly sharks etc... cant get through?

Yes, the swimming/snorkeling area at CC is protected.

I am a master diver and its rare to even see sharks when I dive and I have logged quite a few dives. Sharks have gotten a bad rep over the years and they are curious creatures but typically they avoid people. The odds are greater for you to get sick on the ship than you would even encounter a shark. Enjoy your day at CC and go for snorkel with your family.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Snorkeling there is safe. I remove any shiny earrings or watches I might be wearing in case a barracuda slips through the net. I would rather not attract them. Also know your limitations as to how far you can safely swim out and back as you will not see much of anything close to shore.

 

[Whodedo]

I have only snorkeled twice in my lifetime and both have been there. I did see a stingray last year but I thought it was rather cool to see it swimming right underneath me. But I also saw stingrays near the shore of the family beach and quite a bit over at the adult beach area.

 

[TeaBee]

I've always been afraid of going into any ocean due my fear of sharks. So I typically stay on the beach, suntanning with a cocktail. But my family would like to do snorkeling and were considering signing up for that Getaway Package that includes snorkeling in the Family Beach area, bike rentals etc...

Is the area where they do the snorkeling in open water or is it in that "protected" area in the Family Beach section where supposedly sharks etc... cant get through?

We've seen a barracuda at CC while snorkeling. He just took a look at us and swam away. It's actually one of my daughter's favorite memories from the cruise! If you're not sure about snorkeling though, maybe hold off on the Getaway Package and just rent snorkel gear there if you decide you're up for it. There are more than enough sets of snorkel gear and floats so you don't have to be concerned about snagging one ahead of time.