Sharks!!!!!!??

[sherr]

OK, sorry for the drama but now that I got your attention...
My 3 dd are worried as I am somewhat (esp.after shark week on discovery channel) about shark problems and sightings at either Blue Lagoon Beach or Castaway Cay. Has anyone ever seen a shark while out snorkeling or swimming?
Ever any attacks?

Also, anyone ever see dolphins at either of these locations (not counting dolphin encounter) or has anyone ever seen any whales while out to sea?

The dolphins and whales would be so cool to see.
Needing to put some minds at ease about the sharks.
Thanks
sherr

 

[mmouse37]

DCL has shark nets around the Family BEach at CC. At the adult beach there is no net.

Since your kids can't go to Serenity Bay (adult beach) you have no shark worries!!!

MJ

 

[sixbitslocum]

On the 7-day Eastern a few years ago, my wife and I saw some dolphins. We were waiting for the Wine Tasting to start at Sessions. The portholes there are down near water level forward and the dolphins were jumping in the wake. It was beautiful.\!

 

[tink5697]

Originally posted by sixbitslocum
. The portholes there are down near water level forward and the dolphins were jumping in the wake. It was beautiful.\!

May I ask what deck you were on exactly? Were the portholes in your room or one of the ones in the hallway? I could sit and watch for hours if I thought I would see something!

PS. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[kcashner]

We saw dolphins when we were sitting in Lumiere's.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I have had the pleasure (and I sincerly mean that) of seeing a shark (in the distance) while snorkelling off the adult beach. Even got a picture with my underwater camera.

This issue was recently discussed in Hopefully only a nightmare

 

[sherr]

Not sure I would consider that pleasure. I would have to use every ounze of self-control not to scream.

Well, it is good to know about the shark nets at CC but does that keep out the other fish too ? Would like to see some when snorkeling.

 

[sherr]

Ok, I just read the nightmare and got the answer to my question about the nets and the small fish.

Wow, there is more to worry about than I even thought. I guess beach shoes is getting added to my list of things to buy before trip.

Thanks all!

sherr getting colder in chilly Illynois

 

[MarkLem]

Just got back from the Western, and saw no sign of sharks. 4 different snorkel dive locations in Grand Cayman, One in Cozumel, and the family beach t Castaway Cay.

There was a 3 foot Barracuda at Castaway Cay hanging out around and above the sunken submarine (or is it a plane body) in the snorkel area of the family beach, but it was not interested in any of the snorkelers.

All in all, quite safe

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Not sure I would consider that pleasure. I would have to use every ounze of self-control not to scream.

Um... I'm SURE I wouldn't consider that a pleasure and I don't have that much self-control. LOL

Why oh why did I open & read this thread..... *slaps herself*

 

[woody64]

Last Feb. we saw whales on our way to St. Maarten. It was cool.

woody

 

[KELLIE JONES]

I AM SOOOO GLAD THAT I READ THIS POST!!!!!

i have never seen the ocean, and like most people i have been freaked out buy watching movies like Jaws and Friday the 13 ( will NOT go in a lake where there is a dock!! not even to put my feet in ) my hubby had finally convinced me that there was a blockade aound the cay, guess not.

my brother went snorkeling in Cozumel and me that he saw all these shadows swimming around under water. later he asked someone what those were and they told him sharks. ugh, i hope i dont freak out!!!

please tell me i will have just as much fun looking at the water from the beach, please!!!

 

[KimDisFan]

We saw about 8 dolphins swimming next to the Magic from deck4. Just leaned on the rail and watched for awhile. Also seen a Nurse Shark snorkling in Cozumel last June.

 

[swandiverpatt]

We saw dolphins when we left Port Canaveral. They frequently "escort" the ship out to sea.

We also saw to very large sting rays when we were pulling into Nassau.

 

[Hercules10]

My wife and I did a lot of snorkelin' on Serenity Bay (Adult beach on CC). Never saw any sharks, but saw several sting-rays so just watch where you step.

Also I was constantly stalked by a baracuda. It was about 100 yds off shore near a little wreck. I think he/she/it was just curious. And if I've read right, this baracuda has now taken up residency in Serenity Bay and they've named him 'Barry'.

At Blue Lagoon we did a lot of snorkeling too. Never saw anything but tropical beauties.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Not sure I would consider that pleasure. I would have to use every ounze of self-control not to scream.

Hey, now - I'll admit I had a little apprehension when I saw this shark. After all, it was only about 20 to 30 yards away from the shark, the shark can swim a lot faster than I can, and if I did try to retreat to the safty of the beach, well it was about 100 yards away.

But at the same time, I know that MOST wild animals are either afraid of humans, only curious about them, or totally ignore them. I'll admit that for the rest of the day, I was paying alot more attention to my surroundings while I continued to snorkel, and its real easy to say that it was a thrill now that I'm hundreds of miles away from the sharks. But at the same time, I can't wait til I get my next chance to snorkel in Serinity Bay again.

By the way, I'm in no way a thrill freak. I do get nervious everytime I go camping because I know (and have seen) bears in the woods I camp in. But I don't let my fear of a bear encounter override the knowledge that these animals are not out the get humans and I don't let it spoil my fun of enjoying the woods.

 

[jpatrick]

the past two february vacations we saw dolphins at port canaveral while we were waiting to depart. in fact the first thing my girls did when we boarded the ship on our second cruise was to look for the dolphins and fortunately they must always be there because they saw them again. we did not see any sharks.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I would love to see a whale- from the safety of the ship. LOL But maybe AFTER -like on the way back from CC because if it was before it might get my mind working.... and then I wouldn't want to get in the water at ports of call including CC. LOL

We'll see how I feel about snorkeling when we get there. I will probably be sufficiently freaked out enough that I won't- but we'll see. The last time I snorkeled in open waters (Typhoon Lagoon doesn't count- even though that also made me hyperventilate a little at first LOL) was in Cancun and I stopped snorkeling because a barracuda was sighted. I would totally lose my mind if a barracuda started 'stalking' me as someone else mentioned. I'm not kidding you. LOL
I have even thought about doing the stingray thing on future cruises- but I think I'd freak out being IN the water with them- and from what I've read there are a lot on those excursions- the pictures show them all around you and even mentioned all females squealing/etc. at first. I've touched stingrays at SeaWorld before on tours- but not while IN the water with them. LOL

I think MAYBE the only time I wouldn't be totally freaked out would be in the water with dolphins- but even then it would probably need to be like at SeaWorld or something- not in open waters where there are other fish/dangers/etc. Probably because dolphins do not represent any danger to myself.... it's really all a mind thing though- because dolphins seem nice but I'm still afraid of tiny fish (if they get too close or lots of them while snorkeling/etc.) that couldn't hurt me at all? Weird.

How big was that shark you saw? I think if it was small sharks at the bottom- like nurse sharks that I know usually do not harm humans at all- I might not freak out. But if it was a larger shark- I think I'd have a heart attack- forget about even thinking about making it to shore...

 

[HooKooDooKu]

BibbidvBobbidvBoo,

I can not say for sure how big or even how far away the shark was that I saw. If I showed you the picture, you wouldn't even see the shark until I pointed it out. But once I did that, you would quickly notice the outline of this shadowy figure with its promenent dorsal fin.

My best guess is that the shark was 20 yards away (so I'm seeing it through 60 feet of water) and would guess that it was around 6 to 7 feet long (the size of the "average" shark you see if you went to an aquirium).

I only saw him long enough to bring my camera up from being strapped to my wrist and snap a picture before I lost sight of him. Even in the clear waters of the Bahamas, there is a limit to how far away you can see a gray colored animal under water.

The biggest thing I've gained from that experience is the reminder that you have to take reasonable precausions when snorkeling because you never know what might happen.

I've stated it before and I'll state it again, no matter how good of a swimmer you think you are, no mater wheither you are snorkeling with a tour group or indipendantly, always snorkel using the buddy system and always keep an eye on your buddy. Even if you are a strong swimmer and your a part of a tour group, all it takes is to swallow some water, start choking and not be able to catch your breath, panic and start sinking while no one is looking and quickly drownd. I'm not trying to scare anyone away for snorkelling, its really a great and relatively safe activity. But make sure you appreciate the potential danger and take the reasonable precaustions neccessary.

 

[sherr]

Ok, now I have to decide whether to share any of this with the family. My husband would not be happy with me if I let any of this leak to the 10 year old dds. He really wants to take them out on the catamaran at CC for the snorkel excursion. I have to say that I will be a little worried about them but I won't show it. I think me and the 6-dd will stick to the glass-bottom boat tour. Anyone ever do this? Can you see alot of fish? I know its probably not the same as snorkeling but its a taste.

sherr