Vero Beach Sharks?

[westjones]

We keep seeing reports on the news about Florida beaches being closed due to large numbers of sharks!

Is the Vero Beach area located where this problem is occuring? Is this 'normal' for this time of year (and then do they leave)? We aren't going to Vero until June.

Thanks,
DJ

 

[Sammie]

They do not leave. Summer is an active time for sharks and yes Vero Beach is an area known to have problems.

Be sure to check the info at the Resort about any problems when you arrive.

 

[MJS]

We were there last week for one week, and we had no problems. In the literature the resort gives you when you check in, it does mention the possibility of sharks, as well as riptides, strong undertow, jellyfish, etc. It was all fine when we were there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I've been hearing so much about this also for the last 3 weeks. The Today Show with Matt and Katie have been giving routine updates. Last week, there were thousands of them in Delray beach and reports of them coming in as close as 10 feet from shore. Just this morning they reported similar situations at Juno Beach. They say these black tip and spinner sharks are on a migration route north---can go as far as NJ. http://www.nbc10.com/irresistible/4349378/detail.html

I posted this in another thread a few weeks back, but when we were at Vero Beach in Aug '00, there was an attack on a 13 yo boy one day at not-to-far-away Sattelite Beach. Vero had not posted any shark or man 'o war warnings that day though.

 

[AJKMOM]

Just saw on AOL that the sharks are near Juno Beach, which is south of Vero. They have a nice pool with a slide at the resort!

 

[JimMIA]

Don't be silly. Come on down and have a great time.

 

[westjones]

Don't be silly. Come on down and have a great time.

Oh, we are coming, but we will probably stay at the pool instead of going to the beach. We are only there for one night, so I think we can stay busy at the resort. I never liked the fact that there are no lifeguards at the beach anyway, so this just gives me one more reason to keep the kids up at the pool instead of the beach.

It's a beautiful resort and the kids will enjoy the extra activities. I hope they have a campfire the night we are there.

DJ

 

[huey duey & luey]

those pictures are really scary, I can't believe how many there are

 

[mickeyc]

Several years ago we stayed at Vero Beach. There were approximatley 30 sharks feeding on mullet coming out of the inlet. The next day the area was clear and no sharks reported.

We enjoyed the water and beach the following day. Keep in mind sharks live in the ocean and some areas are more active than others. I would listen to local reports in the area and don't watch the movie "Open Water". (smile)

Enjoy!

 

[PamOKW]

The large number of sharks they are having is somewhat unusual. I heard one report that these sharks are not likely to threaten folks (but still use caution).

The ocean is the ocean. It's not Disney controlled and it does have lots of hazards including sharks, man-o-wars and riptides. Treat it with respect but don't be afraid to enjoy its beauty.

 

[LakeAriel]

Is it true there are no lifeguards? How about Hilton head? That would be disappointing.

 

[Sammie]

Is it true there are no lifeguards? How about Hilton head? That would be disappointing.

No Lifeguards.

 

[offtheice]

I've been hearing so much about this also for the last 3 weeks. The Today Show with Matt and Katie have been giving routine updates. Last week, there were thousands of them in Delray beach and reports of them coming in as close as 10 feet from shore. Just this morning they reported similar situations at Juno Beach. They say these black tip and spinner sharks are on a migration route north---can go as far as NJ. http://www.nbc10.com/irresistible/4349378/detail.html

I posted this in another thread a few weeks back, but when we were at Vero Beach in Aug '00, there was an attack on a 13 yo boy one day at not-to-far-away Sattelite Beach. Vero had not posted any shark or man 'o war warnings that day though.

Living here at the jersey shore my entire life this is true. They are on there way here and for the most do nothing. Its the makos the ones you have to worry about.

 

[PamOKW]

The resort does not have any lifeguards on the beach (they do for the pool). There is a public beach just a short walk north of the resort that has lifeguards. (This beach suffered pretty severe damage -- rest rooms destroyed, etc. so I'm not positive if it's re-opened with the guards.)

 

[MiaSRN62]

I heard one report that these sharks are not likely to threaten folks (but still use caution).

I heard this as well Pam. The spinner sharks swim extremely fast but their diet is fish---not known to attack man---but they have been known to "taste" man mistaking us for fish because they are attracted to splashing and that is why people have been ordered out of the water.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm with you Maria....I don't want to take the chance of being a "shark sampler". I'd stay safely along the waterline. LOL!

 

[MCazer]

Now, I am not going to jump in with them if I see them, but is it just me that found those pictures to be incredible? I thought they were really cool, but hey, I have been know to scuba dive with sharks!

Maybe I wll see some in July!

 

[MiaSRN62]

but is it just me that found those pictures to be incredible? I thought they were really cool, but hey, I have been know to scuba dive with sharks!

I do think the pics and video are indeed cool. I was amazed in a bit of footage shown on The Today Show---those spinner sharks swim amazingly fast. They also apparently jump out of the water and spin in the air sometimes when feeding which is where they got their name.

 

[Daitcher]

Sharks...... that is pretty funny. The media is good at focusing on hot topics and fears. Do you know how many millions of people swim in the oceans around the world each day? How many cases do you hear about. The fact remains this : you have a better chance of hitting the lottery than getting bit by a shark. And that is even if you swam every day in shark infested waters. Please don't listen to this nonsense. Swim, relax and enjoy your trip.
Sharks are not looking to make you their lunch.


DAVE

 

[MiaSRN62]

Please don't listen to this nonsense. Swim, relax and enjoy your trip

I agree for the most part Dave, but unfortunately in this particular situation the past several weeks, tourists have no choice. Everyone is banned from the water so the officials must feel there is some sort of threat ? They're saying, as Pam mentioned earlier, that this is an unusually large amount of sharks. I heard some have been spotted 10 feet from shore---they're coming in looking for food. So unfortunately, tourists don't have the choice to relax about it and swim----unless you're talking about the pools of course Then I'm with ya