Shark reef diving?

[8caliace]

I seem to remember reading somewhere about a program where for about $20 you were able to rent some equipment and dive in one of the pools at Shark Reef? Is this still available? If so, if anyone has ever participated and can give some details, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The only (scuba) dive experience that I know of at WDW is DiveQuest at Epcot. It's a 45 minute dive in the 6 million gallon aquarium at the Living Seas exhibit. It's a very easy dive, max depth is about 27 feet, all the equipment you need is provided for you (but you can bring your own mask if you wish)

The dive is a lot of fun, and for the money not only do you get your 45 minute dive, you also get to see a video about Disney and environmental preservation, you get a full dive briefing, a backstage tour of the living seas area, a secure locker to use, a changing room with private shower, a t-shirt, soda after the dive, and they do video tape the dive and show it to you afterwards.

I believe it's about $140 for the dive experience, and you can get a 10% discount if your dive certification is from SSI (I believe they may also offer a discount for PADI or NAUI, but I'm not 100% sure on this, as my cert is with SSI)

 

[SoCalKDG]

Typhoon lagoon has a shark reef where you can snorkle for free. The sharks are small, but there is also many other fish to look at.

 

[8caliace]

Thanks for your replies, but I read on another site somewhere about a program where you can get a "mini" tank and dive in one of the pools for 30 minutes for $20 or so. It said that there is no SCUBA certification required either.

 

[EeyoreChelle]

We were at Typhoon Lagoon in July and they did have where you could rent scuba gear and dive into a separate pool with the sharks. They have 2 different areas..one that is free and you snorkel across the top and the other one where you get to actually scuba for a longer time with the sharks.

 

[8caliace]

Thanks for the info EeyoreChelle. Did you take part in the scuba one? If so, what did you think of it? Thanks.

 

[EeyoreChelle]

We did not rent the scuba gear. We did the regular snorkel across. Both pools are very small. I would not pay to scuba, you will not really get the scuba effect since the pool is so small. If is is not crowded you can snorkel across the regular pool several times as we did and snorkel across and you are not rushed. We did Shark Reef first when we got to the park so we would not have to deal with the crowds. When we went back later in the day (I wanted to do it one more time because I loved it so much) there was a one hour wait and when there are so many people they make you go across so fast you dont get to see anything at all. Early in the morning we got to take our time and got to go 5 times in a row with no wait at all. I took a water camera with us and got some great pictures of beautiful fish and one of a shark. All of the sharks are very small which is a good thing since the pool is not that big. I would definately not pay to scuba but would definately do Shark Reef, it was AWESOME!

 

[8caliace]

Thanks again for your info. We have done the "regular" Shark Reef", but have always felt so rushed. I know that the pools are not that big, but I think it still could be fun to try the scuba. Plus its not as expensive as the other swim/dive programs at the Living Seas. If we end up doing it, I will post a report. Thanks again.