Hi all. I love the ocean - swimming, snorkelling, scuba, surfing, etc., but have a fear of rays and skates - was wondering if anyone has advice on avoiding them especially in the Puerto Vallarta area.... Also, any info on if they're really common in the PV area or other places would be appreciated.<BR><BR> Any further advice on avoiding potentially dangerous sea creatures like jellyfish, sharks, etc. would be great... whenever i find myself looking at these in the ocean i never know what to do or if there was a certain area to have avoided...

Hi Jen,<BR>I hate to play into your fears but when I was in Puerto Vallarta last October I looked down from my hotel room in the Camino Real and saw a ray swimming parallel to the beach about 20 into the bay. I asked a friend who is from Puerto Vallarta about it and he said that it's quite common but they don't bother people although should you bump into one it can be quite unpleasant. It wasn't enough to scare me or stop me from looking forward to going back next month.

I was in PV two years ago, and went on a tour to Caletas. I did see a Manta Ray while swimming. Also people in the tour group spotted some while kayaking. Mantas are ugly looking, but they are actually harmless-don't sting/no barbs. They are actually quite graceful. As for sharks etc, I didn't see any, and I was told they aren't really a problem around PV. I thought it was quite a neat experience.

"advice on avoiding potentially dangerous sea creatures like jellyfish, sharks"<BR><BR>Stay in the basement!<BR><BR>ROTFLMFAO!!!

Thanks John & Wendy for sharing your helpful info with me. I know that they're out there in the water (wasn't sure how common in PV), just wondering if there's any particular cause for concern here or advice. I do know that mantas aren't a real problem - they don't sting or anything, but was just wondering about any experiences with them or the other ray, skate, and other sea life indigenous to the area.<BR><BR>If anyone has further helpful info that they want to share about this all, I'd love to hear it. Thanks so much!

Hi! Me again. Another woman told me that when she was in PV, she saw some Mantas- about 2 of them. She said they swam around her playfully. I think they are kind of curious. They are likely more afraid of us. I have seen shows about them on TV, and they are gentle, but also curious. I even saw one that almost appeared to be doing somersaults. I wouldn't worry about them. As for other rays, I didn't see any. I found that the beaches in PV to have quite a dropoff, so I don't know if this would be ideal conditions for other rays. You will have a great time in PV! Hope this helps!

I forgot to add that if you do see a Manta Ray, it is highly unlikely you will have a problem. When I saw one, I just moved quitely through the water, and watched this neat creature glide by. It was almost like it was looking at me, but I didn't feel fear. For me, it was a neat lifetime experience. As for other rays, I really don't know if there are other types. Rays don't attack people on purpose, only if you step on them in the sand. But I have never heard anyone getting stung in PV.Hope this helps!

Wendy- Thanks so much again - very reassuring -Jen

Jen,<BR>Don't worry about encountering rays in the water. They will not hurt you. The only time you would likely be injured would be if you walked in shallow water and stepped on one or grabbed one by the tail. Be sure to wear surf shoes if you wade in murky water.<BR>I have been diving for years in Mexico -just got back from 2 weeks in Cozumel - and seeing rays is one of the highlights of my dives. I actually got to be less than a foot from one last week.<BR>Don't worry about them and just enjoy their grace if you see one. <BR>If you are really afraid of jellyfish, be sure you are wearing a skin or a wetsuit that fully covers you. I have a 3/2 that works well for tropical waters. It is very unlikely you will encounter anything more hazardous than the "sharks" around the pool.

Thanks Nancy -Jen

'Soitenly.<BR><BR>Have fun!!!