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Krissta
Guest
My boyfriend wants to know if sharks are common in the Caribbean. Anyone know?
Sara
Sara
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beccabt
Guest
My hubby went diving in St. Maarten and saw 2 on one dive. we live in FL and he dives quite often, and I think he's maybe seen one in the last 7 years.It might have been a fluke but.........???
K
Krissta
Guest
Hmm.. Anyone know about some islands in particular? Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados and Aruba?
beccabt - if I saw one I'd probably have a heart attack.. I know my boyfriend is afraid of sharks, but so am I.. I just don't want to be surprised... If I know they are there, then I shall prepare myself ahead of time!
Sara
beccabt - if I saw one I'd probably have a heart attack.. I know my boyfriend is afraid of sharks, but so am I.. I just don't want to be surprised... If I know they are there, then I shall prepare myself ahead of time!
Sara
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gsamml
Guest
There are reef sharks around at most islands, but usually so deep that only the divers see them. I have only seen 2 in 12 dives. One nurse shark (very common in the islands, but they are docile and prefer to hide and sleep under ledges in the reef) and one gray reef shark and he swam away so fast they only way I knew what it was is because he swam right past me. Unless you are bleeding and splashing about, 99.% of all sharks will leave you alone.
In Aruba, the dive shop I went out with said shark sightings are almost unheard of. Barbados, the water is a lottle cooler, so sharks are more common, but still unless you are looking for them, you won't see them. They are down deep and prefer to stay there. In San Juan and St Thomas I have heard of divers seeing them from time to time, but usually nurse sharks.
Nurse sharks are very docile and actually have no teeth, they have several rows of inward facing prongs made of cartilage. They suck their food in and mash it, not bite it. The worst they can do is break a few bones in the foot of the person who stepped on them.
If you see one, consider yourself lucky. Not in danger. The dive instructor who did my certification course said if you don't bug it, it won't bug you. He has been right so far.
You have nothing to worry about..
In Aruba, the dive shop I went out with said shark sightings are almost unheard of. Barbados, the water is a lottle cooler, so sharks are more common, but still unless you are looking for them, you won't see them. They are down deep and prefer to stay there. In San Juan and St Thomas I have heard of divers seeing them from time to time, but usually nurse sharks.
Nurse sharks are very docile and actually have no teeth, they have several rows of inward facing prongs made of cartilage. They suck their food in and mash it, not bite it. The worst they can do is break a few bones in the foot of the person who stepped on them.
If you see one, consider yourself lucky. Not in danger. The dive instructor who did my certification course said if you don't bug it, it won't bug you. He has been right so far.
You have nothing to worry about..
K
Krissta
Guest
Wow.. thanks! I'll let my boyfriend know.
Sara
I'll let my boyfriend know.Sara
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beccabt
Guest
Sara, I know what you mean.I realize that they are all over the place but I tell myself that they aren't any by me ha ha I know that they are not really "interested in me" and its pretty safe to go in the water, but still would freak out if I saw one. I saw a t.v. show where a helicopter flew down the coast near Venice FL where I go to the beach. From the air you could see all kinds of big dark shapes in the water right next to people in the water. It kind of makes the point that if they wanted us, they would get us. Still, I'd rather not think about it lol
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gsamml
Guest
I guess people just don't taste good.
