Sharks!!

[hayesktrm]

We are planning for our cruise well in advance by talking horseback riding lessons (so the kids are more comfortable). On the way to lessons, my DS asked if we were going snorkeling also. I said if he would like. He didn't realize it wasn't like Castaway Cay. He still wants to go, but my DD is afraid sharks might eat her. I said she didn't have to go, but now she is afraid that her entire family will be eaten by sharks and she will be an orphan . Anyway, what precautions are taken when you take a boat to a place where there is snorkeling. Also, we are going on a West Coast cruise so does anyone have experience snorkeling in the Pacific. I know there are sharks at the beaches around here, but I don't know about Mexico. Thank you. Anything I can tell my DD so she isn't so fearful would be helpful. BTW, she's 7.

 

[mommykeg]

hayesktrm---we're on the same cruise, I think. Your DD and mine e-mailed a couple of times...then we got so busy with school, etc. that we haven't had a chance lately. she was just talking about how she'd like to start e-mailing again. DD would like to horseback ride too...we have booked with Randi's Happy Horses in mazatlan. It sounds like fun, and I figured I could cancel if we would prefer a different excursion when Disney posted theirs. Have you booked horseback riding already? DD would love to snorkel as well, but I have the same fears your DD has. I went on a snorkel trip in Cabo San Lucas about 14 years ago...I didn't see any sharks in the water, but something wrapped itself around my finger and stung me while I was snorkeling near the arch. I jumped out of the water and wouldn't get back in! Of course, I haven't told my daughter that story...I want her to be able to snorkel because she really wants to. I'd love to hear from someone who knows about the deal with sharks.

The cruise meets thread is getting really active lately...you should join us!

 

[mommykeg]

Also...hoping that Disney arranges for a Dolphin excursion in Puerto Vallarta. Both DD8 and DS4 would love the DolphinKids encounter through Vallarta Adventures! It's a special encounter designed for kids 4-8. Check out their website... www.vallarta-adventures.com

 

[HooKooDooKu]

what precautions are taken when you take a boat to a place where there is snorkeling

None! While there are sharks in those waters (we're talking about the open ocean people) they are not a nusance. 99.99999% of the time, they leave humans alone.

If it helps, consider this... what precautions are taken by the D.O.T. when they build a two lane road to prevent someone from the on-comming lane from crossing the line and crashing into you head on?

Obviously the answer is again None. And I can assure you that you are more likely to be killed by another driver in the fashion while trying to get to the boat than you are likely to be bitten by a shark (much less killed by one).

The real issue is that you are familiar with (and therefore comfortable with) your driving environment than you are will the open ocean.

The only place I know of ANY protection is that Disney has nets to keep large animals (such as sharks) out of the snorkel lagoon and family beaches. However the adult beach is open to the ocean, and I've even had the pleasure (I say that will all sincerity) to seeing and capturing a picture of a shark while snorkeling in the waters off the adult beach. You can see him in this picture taken about 100 yards from shore. I've guessed that he was about 10 yards away and about 6 feet long. It's hard to see at first (the color of the water hides him well at a distance) but he's around the 8:00 to 9:00 o'clock position of the image.

 

[jdm]

I'm sure it's a silly fear to beach savvy people who constantly swim in the ocean...... and you'll get told of all the statistics, more chance of being struck by lightening etc. etc. etc.

We did our first cruise in Feb. 2001. Year of the shark attacks (or maybe the shark attack year was 2000). In any event, they were very publicised (spell?)attacks. One man was attacked in Freeport. A little boy attacked in Cocoa Beach. These were serious attacks with life threatening injuries.I just knew that if I snorkled in open waters, I would not be completely comfortable. Always looking over my shoulder, kind of thing. So, we did what any sharkfearing family would do. We went to Discovery Cove for the day!! We loved it, snorkled our hearts out and peered at the sharks behind the protective glass under water!!

While I understand that isn't an option for everyone, it worked great for us. There are millions of people who snorkel every year uneventfully. I think it's just a matter of your own comfort level. It's true there is risk in everything. Personally, for me - I knew I wouldn't relax and enjoy it so I chose not to do it in open waters.

JMHO
Jenn

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

This is a repost of a message I put up a couple of weeks ago!


Here’s a run down on other Fatalities in the U.S.
and Average Number of Fatalities Per Year

Deer (Vehicular Collisions) = 130
Lightning = 41
Dogs = 18
Snakes = 15
Mountain Lions = 0.6
Sharks = 0.4
(Copyright International Shark Attack File)


So you're odds of being killed by a deer are 325 times greater than being killed by a shark.

 

[MarkLem]

Sharks are in all ocean waters. As previous posts said, statistically you will never seen one let alone be bothered by one, but they are out there. I snorkel regularly, and all one can do is be aware of your surroundings. There are other creatures to watch out for as well, such as stone fish, stinging jelly fish, etc.

However, I also snow ski and every year people get killed on the slopes from skiing into trees, falling, etc. You also take a risk every time you get in a car. You need to assess your risk and make your decision.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Great..just what I needed to hear...

I hit a deer last month. I'm renting a shark cage.

 

[westjones]

We did the kayak tour excursion at Castaway Cay and there were at least 4 sharks swimming around the beach area where we took our 'break'. I didn't see them when we were coming in to land, but I noticed everyone looking at the water and I asked what everyone was looking at---they said, "Didn't you see all the sharks when we came in?"

What!!!

Of course, then we had to get back in our kayaks and paddle back to the main island to get back to the ship. The sharks never bothered us, but I was nervous going back.

NOW I am reading on the resort board about gators in the WDW lakes (and DH wants to go sailing at the CBR when we go).

I think I need to stick to swimming pools (of course, there you have to be afraid of bateria! ).

DJ

 

[LissafromSJ]

Magic Fan Bruce - You forgot to add the statistics about the deer who swim. Man, I wouldn't want to be in the water with them!! Melissa

 

[jhorstma]

So if I'm gonna go, making the front page of the home town newspaper ("Local God-Fearing Husband and Father Devoured by Sharks on Family Cruise Vacation") would be a splashy way to do so.

Seriously bug bites, sunburn, hangovers, and maybe a rare jellyfish sting are probably what you need to worry about and prepare for. I would guess that taking a cab ride at one of the ports is far more dangerous than becoming Purina Shark Chow. Also having your wallet stolen is probably a higher concern, maybe also lightning strikes if a T-storm rolls in.

But really, have a good time!

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

Magic Fan Bruce - You forgot to add the statistics about the deer who swim. Man, I wouldn't want to be in the water with them!! Melissa

You’re right Melissa. The stats also don’t include attacks by Land Sharks.

DO NOT open your stateroom door if the voice on the other side says “Caaandy Gram!”

 

[hayesktrm]

Okay, you all are too funny. I'll tell my daughter all these things and maybe it will make her feel better, although she came into our room last night and couldn't fall asleep because in class yesterday they read about army ants and she was afraid they would get her. How do you reassure your child without laughing with that one.

Mommykeg--yes we're on the same cruise and I just made reservations with Randi yesterday! That will be so much fun for the girls. I'll have to look at the cruise meets place. I've never looked there before.

 

[cindy0519]

As an avid diver and snorkeler I can tell you that "if" you are lucky enough to see a shark - it will most likely be more concerned with getting away from you than it will be in coming toward you. Most of the sharks we have seen when diving (even during a dive specifically to see sharks near the island of Bimini in the Bahamas) were not all at interested in us - when they saw us they would swim off in the opposite direction.

A few pointers for snorkeling saftey:

1) Remove all your jewlery - fish may confuse the bright sparkelies that we love with some form of bait (experienced this first hand with blue gills here in an OH quarry when I forgot to remove my diamond stud earrings)
2) Remember that you are in the fishes territory and give them their space
3) LOOK BUT DO NOT TOUCH!!! (as tempting as it might be just don't do it)

My DD is really afraid of sharks too and during a trip to Cancun in June for her 18th bday I talked her into going on a snorkeling tour. We were going along fine, each on our separate paths and we heard the guide exclaim that he saw a sand shark and for everyone to follow him to get a look at it. Within two seconds DD was at my side holding my hand and kicking like mad in the opposite direction, while I was kicking like mad to get over where the guide had seen the shark . After a couple of minutes and me explaining that it was not jaws....she calmed down and we agree to slowly approach the area together (holding hands) and see if we could see it. The water in this area was about 15-20 ft deep and sure enough along side of a very large coral head on the bottom was the sleeping shark. Even with all the commotion (and there was a lot from the 15 or so people on the snorkeling trip) the shark never stirred. DD admitted later that it was "kinda cool" to see the sleeping shark, but she has no desire to see one again . So...even if you see a shark it is unlikely that it will be more than you catching a glimpse of it as you float over it while snorkeling.

Hope this helps to sooth some nerves.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

So...even if you see a shark it is unlikely that it will be more than you catching a glimpse of it

And I got ultra lucky to have snapped the picture I linked to. In less than 5 seconds, the shark was gone!

 

[cindy0519]

These are a couple of shots from our recent (Oct) dive trip to the Bahamas. Just to prove that you can be safe with sharks in your presence. The key is to respect them and their territory.

These were taken by DH with our Olympus 5050z and an underwater housing during our dive at Bull Run in the Bahamas. I have to say I was very nervous about jumping into the water with sharks that I could see from the boat... but after a few minutes all my fears were calmed. These are truly amazing and beautiful creatures. Being in their presence was an absolute honor! What a great dive!!!

 

[hayesktrm]

Wow, great pictures. And I was freaked out when I saw an octupus in Hawaii. I have never swam so fast in my life!

 

[cindy0519]

I was freaked out when I saw an octupus in Hawaii. I have never swam so fast in my life!

An octupus is one of the things that we have yet to see and I personally would LOVE to see. Though my first instinct would definately be the same as yours (to swim as fast as I can in the opposite direction) - I think my curiosity and just plain awe would take over quickly. Can't wait to see one!

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. Doing this certainly helped to calm some of my "fears" about sharks. Hopefully your DD will decide to give snorkeling a try... I think she will be amazed by the beautiful creatures that she will see.

 

[slabeaume]

An octupus is one of the things that we have yet to see and I personally would LOVE to see. Though my first instinct would definately be the same as yours (to swim as fast as I can in the opposite direction) - I think my curiosity and just plain awe would take over quickly. Can't wait to see one!

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. Doing this certainly helped to calm some of my "fears" about sharks. Hopefully your DD will decide to give snorkeling a try... I think she will be amazed by the beautiful creatures that she will see.

I've yet to see a shark while snorkeling. The barracudas, octopus, eels, stingrays (saw one of them at CC last week, too) don't bother me---but I don't want to EVER see a shark while snorkeling!!!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

No one has mentioned the dreaded jellyfish. Aren't graceful? Aren't they so pretty? Until you try and touch one. Ouch! When the water is warm, we get them off the coast of San Diego. I wonder if they will be around the warm waters of Mexico.....