Yesterday while snorkelling along Prickly Pear between Saba Rock and the Sand Box I had a close encounter with a 3-4 foot bull shark. I was in about 3 feet of water and it past by me about 6 feet away. Needless to say that ended my snorkelling for the day.

You probably don't see it this way..but you are lucky to see a shark like that up close..shame you didnt have a camera!To be honest he was probably more scared of you..

I have been diving for 40 years and seeing sea life is amazing. One thing PADI teaches you is the most dangerous animal in the ocean are humans. Go back in the water and enjoy your snorkeling. Shark attacks in the Caribbean are extremely rare.

Bridget, remember Monkey Pt. Bridget says to me while snorkeling "look at that cute nurse shark" I say that is not a nurse shark <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />, we continued our snorkel. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I wish I hadn't read this - even though I know it makes no sense I am still afraid of sharks! Saw one in the Abacos once, when we told some locals they laughed and said how lucky I was because most people pay extra to see a shark. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> So hoping I don't see one on this trip!

I have only ever seen a baby shark here in the BVI's..I've seen a couple in Southern Ca and one big guy in Maui..but down here..since 1984..that one small baby chasing fish in the shorebreak..there is so much fgood for them here they are not going to bother with you..

mostly not, you might see a nurse shark snuggled under a bolder, but they are not aggressive. If you have to worry, I would be more concerned with fire coral and sea urchins, either encounter will not be pleasant. We always have a quart of vinegar aboard. Another good reason to wear rash guards when in the water.

My one and only encounter was walking right off the beach at Caneel Bay St John for a snorkel. I was still in shallow water not over my head , just had put my fins on and peaked under the water to find these little fellas. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />



....almost bolted back to shore but decided to take a picture instead.
For you shark experts out there.... Are they nurse sharks ??

They look like Nurse sharks.

There is an awesome 10' bull shark that cruises the Bight at night. Have seen him many times during a full moon, actually hooked him once by accident, well, he really decided the snapper I was bringing in was his, came right up to the back of the boat to get it. I say he is 10' but local fisherman say more like 12'. Either way he is king of the sea.

Awesome! We've been going to the VI since 1984 and have never had the fortune to see a shark while snorkeling.

You can see tons of large nurse sharks in Windlass Bight, Anegada during June and July. That's their mating season. It's pretty spectacular if you hit it at the right time. We don't snorkel there, too shallow, but you can walk in knee deep and take some great pictures.

Understand your feelings. When we're diving, on the few occasions we've seen a shark it was awesome! When snorkeling or swimming it's different for me. Snorkeling at the entrance to Lee Bay we saw a 4' nurse shark 30' below. I casually made my way back to the dingy. When DW got back she asked why I came back so soon. Before I could think of a good reason she just shook her head and said "little Susie".

Oh yes indeed...remember that very well... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

My son lives in the Virgin Islands and loves it when he sees a shark while scuba diving.

Very cool, Kim. Yep, nurse sharks. Although not totally unique, nurse sharks can be distinguished by their twin dorsal fins.

Having lived on the Gulf Coast for my entire life I'll say this: bull sharks are not your "friends". Proceed with caution.

Agree on Bull= not friends...however, don't swim at night and you are likely fine in the VI

When our youngest was 4, we went snorkeling over by Bitter End. When we slid off the dinghy, there was a 5-6 foot ray below us. Really amazing. Our kiddo got right back in the dinghy and announced that he was too tired to snorkel.

The waters are loaded with sharks especially the Nurse, Lemon and Black Tips.
My rule except for the Nurse or Lemon is if they're 6'+ I leave the water
There used to be a 8+ Lemon shark who used to sleep in the large cave at Norman Island.

I agree! Bull sharks deserve careful respect. Over the years, bull sharks have been responsible for several aggressive and fatal attacks along the North Carolina Outer Banks. Since the late 1990s I have seen several sharks when diving and snorkeling during sailing charters in the BVIs. Most notable was a ~8 foot nurse shark at Mountain Point on Virgin Gorda and a ~6 foot blacktip shark at the Indians. The most "impressive" BVI shark report I am aware of was the large tiger shark caught by local fishermen (I think from Neptunes Treasure) in or near the anchorage at Anegada. I believe pictures of this shark may still be in the archives of this forum.

I would not say the waters were loaded with sharks. I have over a 100 dives and have seen maybe 3 sharks that were not nurse sharks.

In 100+ dives in the BVIs, VIs, Cayman and Bonaire I think we have encountered 2 sharks. 1 a Lemon in BVI sitting under a ledge on my 3rd dive ever and the next year a Bull in St. Croix at the Pinnacle. I sucked down way too much air out of fear and the safety stop was a little shorter than usual Both times the dive masters were over the moon because they are both such rare events. Maybe not the lemon but I think they were afraid I would not dive again. I'm from Jax Fl and have a great respect for and healthy fear of sharks.

That makes me feel a little better- stories about sharks in the caves and at the bight were scaring me! I don't know why I keep looking back at this thread. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Sharks are some of the coolest creatures on the planet!! There is a great video of a group diving the Duane off Key Largo. As they are descending the mooring line a Great White comes swimming up to check them out. They continue down the mooring line and go in the wreck like it's nothing. I couldn't believe it! Who cares about the wreck. That's the most rare and intense event you could ever experience while diving. I can see finding a safe place to watch and video the shark but who cares about a rust bucket when you can watch something that beautiful and majestic swimming around.

During my first open water certification dive off the coast of Bradenton, FL I was a few feet away from a nurse shark as I descended to the bottom. Visibility was poor near the surface and as it cleared near the bottom a 6ft nurse swam right past me, completely ignoring me. It was amazing and nerve wracking at the same time.