We're going to the island of Culebra, off PR in April. I was reading something about shark problems elsewhere in the Caribbean and wondered if anyone had ever heard of problems near Culebra. We plan to go snorkeling there, so I would REALLY appreciate info ASAP! <BR>Thanks. <BR>Please feel free to send replies to my e-mail. <BR> <BR>

I wouldn't worry about it. I don't know anything specific about Culebra but as a scuba diver with 100 Caribbean dives behind me in the past two years, I've only seen a couple relatively harmless nurse sharks and two black tips - and most divers I know have never seen any ever. They're just not that common and not that interested in humans. It's kind of like worrying about bears when you go for a walk in the woods... it's possible you might come across one, but unlikely. <BR> <BR>But then, on the other hand, I heard they're more attracted to snorkelers than divers because you're on the surface and your kicking emulates a fish in distress! (uh-oh, now I've made you paranoid, I bet!) <BR>

I too was extremely worried about Sharks on our first trip to the Caribbean last September. We were planning on snorkeling for the 1st time and I've watched JAWS just a 'few' too many times. From what i've read (& I could be wrong) there are no JAWS great whites in the Caribbean-I heard because the water is just too warm compared to the Pacific and Atlantic large oceans??? Anyone know if that is true!? <BR> <BR>Anyhow, we went to St. Lucia for our honeymoon and snorkeled 4 different times at different dive shops. Once we put our heads in the water and saw the magic under the water; for some reason all thoughts of sharks disappeared! Weird! Went snorkeling also in Cuba - practically in the middle of ocean at Cayo Coco reef and this bothered me a bit more because it was not 'close to shore'. Never saw anything there either thank god! <BR>A couple tips for those nerveous: <BR>1) We always snorkeled with a group of people (dive boat). In St. Lucia we had a professional dive master with us at all times, plus a few workers on the boat... we felt our safety was looked out for here. But... in Cuba, we were on a dive boat with workers that didn't know anything about diving. One example was when (because of rough waters) many different people were 'pushed' into coral by the waves and were badly cut. They were bleeding in the water (3-4 different people) and the boat didn't let any of us in the water know. Guess he didn't know that a Shark really likes the 'smell' of blood! <BR>So my 2) tip is: if someone has been cut in the water and bleeding.... get out of the water!! <BR>

People pay big money to see sharks on dives!!! Second the don't worry advice. The only attacks on divers have been great whites and again it is not their territory. Most attacks are on surfers, body boarders or thrashing swimmers because they look like sea turtles and seals from a sharks perspective. White tip and black tip reef sharks or nurse sharks are the most likely and they are not very aggressive. Still you have to respect them...more experience divers have said that if a shark is upset it arches up like a cat... <BR> <BR>We dove shark alley in Belize and had nurse sharks nuzzling up to us. Have seen black tips and they couldn't get away fast enough. Don't spearfish or hang around fishermen! <BR>

My long experience living in the Caribbean have not made me a shark expert, but they have made me very aware of the predators...principally black tip <BR>sharks, barracuda, and wahoo. The black <BR>tip is extremely sensative to blood even <BR>in microscopic amts. in the vast ocean.So avoid entering the water when blood from a speared fish or a cut is <BR>present. Barracuda are very much attracted to bright shiny earrings, bracelets and such jewelry....don't wear <BR>the stuff in the water. They are also very territorial. The wahoo in my experience are most dangerous in the <BR>boat after being landed and many a finger has been lost by careless handling of this fish with razor sharp <BR>teeth. Club it at once! <BR> <BR>

Just a P.S. to my comments above: My <BR>experience has not been in P.R. are except SinT Maarten where sharks do not <BR>appear to be a problem.......but apropo <BR>of what a previous writer above has said I found the Cuban operators a wee bit <BR>careless in attitude. Perhaps this has changed but I would prefer asharp young <BR>American/Canadian or Brit such as are employed in Cayman at the big dive operatyions

<BR>The first time I snorkelled I was really nervous but once you get in you are so intrigued by the cute little fishies and the coral - you'll be fine as long as you go on a tour where they have experienced staff. Make sure you listen to all the instructions they give to you. The advice I got when snorkeling in the Dominican Republic....if you see something bigger than you in the water get out!! HA!

Cheryl dont worry, I have lived in the Caribbean for 14 years , only nurse sharks live here and other small unharmful sharks.Other sharks just dont like warm water you have nothing to worry about trust me .

Following many dives in Jamaica, the Yucatan Peninsula, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, I can only ad my "DON'T WORRY ABOUT SHARKS!" to those already expressed. In my experience, more snorkelers are injured by coming in contact with sea urchins or corals that anything else. It's a lot like visiting a beautiful garden. LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH! Have fun! <BR>