Sharks at VB?

[Alysa]

My Dad was saying he heard there were warnings about swimming around the VB area due to Sharks. Is this true? If so, what happens when you go swimming in the ocean or are you not allowed? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question - I feel foolish asking.–

 

[PamOKW]

Unlike WDW, the ocean is real and you do need to give it a certain amount of respect and caution. They do sometimes have sharks in the Vero area. They will post warnings to that effect. The beach at Disney's resort has no lifeguard but there is a public beach just next door. The lifeguard station flies different color flags to indicate the water conditions. I'm not sure what they mean offhand but you can ask. There is also a pretty strong riptide in the waters around Vero so if you are not a strong swimmer stay close to shore (even then be careful) and NEVER swim alone.

Don't be upset about it, just be aware of the conditions.

 

[eva]

Pam is right. There is really no way that anyone can make the ocean perfectly safe for us to swim in. A couple of years ago a young boy was killed by a shark a few miles north of Vero. From what I understand, the Vero area has a large number of sharks due to the large number of schools of fish in the area. But this is not unique to this area of Florida. The Sarasota area of the Gulf also has the same problem. Pam gave great advice. Be sure to never go in the ocean alone and definitely never go out far. I think that I am a bit of a worry wart when it comes to the ocean so I rarely go in further than my knees. My husband thinks I am silly but when he is out up to his neck I am always looking for fins. I think that I lecture him on every trip about how to fight a shark if he goes after you. I probably watch too much Discover Channel. Those programs on shark attacks give me the willys. Shark attacks really are rare. But I guess that I do not want to be that 1 in a million statistic.

 

[Alysa]

Eva, I would love it if you would lecture me on how to fight off a shark! There are not a lot in Lake Ontario...

 

[mattsdad]

Sharks have very low self-esteem, and often will avoid humans who browbeat and scold them with witty barbs regarding their appearance. Otherwise, just realize that alot of people have been to VB over the last 5 or 6 years and no one has been nailed by a shark

 

[baileybrad]

sharks are migrating north from warmer waters so there may be more sharks in the Vero area than there normally are. But, as others have said, the ocean has sharks so no matter where you are you should be aware of your surroundings and pay heed to the lifeguards and news reports where you happen to be swimming in the ocean.

 

[David]

I was 9 years old in 1975 when I saw you know what. And I haven't been back in the ocean since. I know, I am more likely to be killed in a car wreck but I can't think of a worse way to die than being eaten alive. I'll stay in the pool, thank you very much.

 

[PamOKW]

No Disney resort guest has had a shark problem (that we know of). There was a surfer bitten and a small boy killed over the last 5 years in the waters off Vero.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

This is no doubt because Disney keeps current on the "protection" payments.

 

[mickeyc]

Two years ago when we went to VB the first night we had to get out of the pool early because encephalitis reports in the area. When we were advised by a CM to go to the Ocean I noted no one was in the water. Sharks were feeding on mullet coming out of the inlet. I estimated there had to be at least 20 to 30 sharks of various sizes. It was like watching a Jocque Coustau nature movie and I was lucky to get it on video. At that time it was not prudent to go into the water since the sharks were in a feeding frenzy. The next day the water was fine and we all went swiming. We did not see any sharks during the remainder of our stay.

I have noted this incident previously on these boards. VB is a nice area and the accomdations are nice. I prefer the Sarosoata area beaches and we usually go there. As someone mentioned there are also sharks in that area. Keep in mind swiming in the ocean is where sharks live. If you are going to worry about sharks you are not going to enjoy the beauty of the ocean. Be careful and pay attention to local warnings. Above all enjoy your vacation!