The Shark Reef

[betsywetsy37]

I don't know if anyone said anything about this already but I saw somewhere that you can rent scuba equiptment and scuba dive with the sharks. Has anyone done it or has anyone heard anything about it? Any bit of information would be really appriciated.

 

[pigget74]

The Reef at Typhoon Lagoon is really neat. I did not rent the scuba, but I did snorkel at the reef for free. I guess it really depends on how much time and money you want to spend.

 

[tinkie]

WHAT kind of sharks are we talking about???? My 8 year old REALLY wants to do this and I am really NOT! Obviously, we are not talking great whites...but what is the deal? Is there any danger at all?

 

[Kimberle]

*LOL*

The "sharks" are the size of big ole fish!! No worries!! They are quite harmless.

 

[Skyebluesix]

We used snorkles on our last trip two years ago. It was GREAT! Both my 7yo and my 10yo boys did it too. I think they are tiger sharks--at least that's what my ds days--but, there are also sting rays and other fish. There is one tank with larger sharks and one with smaller sharks, but more of them. I think they alternate days, so you don't have a choice.

There are guides in the tanks treading water every so many feet. Everyone wears life vests and you have to stay along the top of the water, The water is freezing!

I asked one of the CM's if they ever had any problems and she said that they have never had anyone bitten yet....I wouldn't want to be the first though

I plan on doing it every time we visit. It was worth the price of admission alone!

 

[oogieboogie]

don't kick the water with your feet. Push yourself with your arms. Believe me... the CMs are pretty strict about that.

When I went, we had a bunch of people who started kicking with their legs and the CM pretty much had to keep giving them warnings.

They want you to glide thru the water, but overall, I loved doing it and will definitely do it again.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Man I HOPE they are NOT Tiger sharks - they are known "man eaters". Actually, they are known for eating anything and everything in their path. I've seen pictures of some of them and they look like nurse sharks. Very docile, bottom feeders, known for being gentle.

You can really do this? Do they provide the snorkel's or do you have to bring your own? Isn't there a slide there that go "through" (a tunnel) one of the reefs?

I've never been to any of the water parks - this makes me want to go!

D4D

 

[pintrader]

they are EXTREMELY docile. They do alternate every other day. Everyone does not HAVE to wear a life jacket but they are available if you so desire.

I worked the shark reef counter last Labor Day. I went in early and watched the CMs feed the sharks and play with them. They are WAY accoustomed to having lots and lots of people to swim with.

 

[cheerdaddy]

the most dangerous thing about the shark reef is the freezing water! there is a submerged boat that you can walk through and look at the sharks and other fish if you're not up to snorkeling...no slide at the shark reef though...

 

[Mickey76]

I swam in the shark reef and I loved it. They give you a wet-suit vest, flippers, and a snorkel. The water is freezing and you have to swim with only your legs, using the flippers to move you along. Moving your arms might scare the fish, so keep them at your side. I remember swimming and looking down at the sharks and all of the sudden, a sting ray swam right beneath me. It freaked me out at first and then I thought that was just so cool. I did it twice in one day and I will definitely do this every time that I go to TL from now on.

Mickey76

 

[sue Z]

If I remember correctly the sharks that are in the reef are leopard sharks

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

They supply the snorkles, and a vest if you want one, (DH is a big guy and did not want to squeeze into one) for free, and you get a few minutes of instruction before entering. Remember, you cannot turn around and go back, all have to pretty much head toward the other end, so take your time. Float, don't swim.

 

[carju]

I also hear that it costs some $$ to do this that it's not included in the price of admission....is this true? And if it is, does anyone know what the cost is for adults/children???

Thanks.

 

[tinkie]

This past summer we rented a boat in the Fla. keys and did some snorkeling in a little cove - once we were back in the boat we noticed - 2 good sized sharks - not 3 feet from where we had been swimming! This was enough swimming with sharks for ME! Now my 8 year old wanted to go BACK in! What a little nut!

 

[mom_rules]

I believe Typhoon Lagoon's snorkeling is free-they provide the equipment. My DH and DS did this several times last May and loved it. Most of the sharks do stay near the bottom away from the swimmers. Try to go when there aren't too many people in the water then there won't be tons of motion to scare them away.

 

[sha_lyn]

It sounds as if 2 different things are being confused here.
The scuba diving is at Epcot and it does cost extra.

The snorkling at TL is free, and it isn't worth that IMHO. They did not inforce the no kicking rule, and I was kicked in the face many times. In fact they didn't enforce any of the rules. There were several people who just kept going back and forth and in circle, instead of going straight across.

 

[pigget74]

There are 2 different parts to the shark reef. On where you can just snorkle or where you pay and have a tank.

 

[drogerstn]

When we last visited Typhoon Lagoon (1-JUN-2002), there were two activities going on at the Shark Reef.

One side had people using small tanks with regulators; the air tanks were very small, maybe 13 to 20 cubic feet of air. These people were swimming primarily on the surface but could submerge. They had the swim vests on and no weights, so they were probably positive buoyant even when submerged in the shallow tank. This activity costs extra. I don't remember the cost and I don't know if it is still available. Anyone....???

The other side of the Shark Reef was used by swimmers at no extra charge. WDW supplied masks, snorkels, and swim vests at no extra charge. Fins were not issued as kicking is not allowed. There is a slight current on the surface which carries the swimmers from the entrance to the exit with little effort required; hands can take care of any movement needed. With people drifting on top of one another, swimmers using their feet stand a good chance of kicking another swimmer.

 

[gonna go cruising]

can we bring our own snorkel and mask?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, you can bring your own snorkel and mask, I do!


Bobbi