shark reef at typhoon lagoon

[tina cooper]

hi i ve just noticed on this web site that to do the snorkelling in shark reef kids have to be over 10 years old?
I have not read there is an age limit in any other guide books so can any one advise please ?

[Grandimar]

I never noticed an age limit but it is very deep, about 13 feet I think so you do need to be a confident swimmer.

[Stu]

I hadn't realised that was there, I have removed that now, thank you

'Children under 10 are required to be accompanied by an adult for the park'

[nitram]

They give you a floatation vest and you are not allowed to dive down, just skim the surface. It is one of the more memorable things to do.

[shaunM]

my kids were 6 and 8 when they swam in 2003

[Precious Piglet]

No questions were asked when a child that looked about 5 walked in... well none about age... they did say can you swim well but they asked nearly everyone that...

[chris5117]

I had a very bad experience when swimming with the sharks. I insisted that everyone in our party go to swim with the sharks & then when we stood on the platform & the lifeguard tells you all about what to do I wasn't listerning & just messing with my mask. Anyway I put my mask on, stepped off the platform & went into shock at the cold temperature of the water & with coming face to face with a bemused shark. I started to panic & doggie paddle & the lifeguard just reached down & pulled me out with my vest, I hadn't moved more than an inch away from the platform. The lifeguard told me I should have got my breathing right before getting into the water & I should calm down & have another go. Well I just couldn't as I felt such a fool & there were tiny kids doing it with no problem. Needless to say I never heard the last of this all holiday.

That'll teach me. Loz

[sk4red]

My DS swam at Shark Reef last May and he is only 5. They gave him a little floating boat with a see-through plastic bottom.
He really enjoyed it and will be doing it again this year, maybe this time without the boat!

[stockburnfamily]

do you have to pay extra for this or is it included in ticket price dh would love to do this

[sk4red]

included in the price

[Harry]

Went last year to TL and done the Shark Reef with our daughter who 3 1/2 years old.... she never wore the mask but had great fun floating across with ma and pa' whilst every now and then shoving her face under the water for a look..... she reckoned she saw a Whale!!

[Lisa-R]

Hi

Our son was 8 when he did the swim and he loved it.

Yup, that water is quite cold and a big shock after the warmer pools etc. I made a right twit of myself at TL reef as I had never snorkelled before and put my face in and just could not do it - came up slobbering and blubbering - yuk. I turned back and my DH and son just laughed at my pathetic efforts.

You don't have to wear the snorkel, you can just swim across and wear the goggles and look in. I heard it was really good to do and I hope you all enjoy it.

Lisa

[mona]

I didn't even know about the shark reef......how exciting is that !!!!!!:jump:
My boys will soooo love it....
Do you have to register or something...I mean is there a limited number of people allowed in the water at the same time. ...do you have to wait in line to get in .....????
How long can you stay in the water......and can you touch the fish or are they all swimming below you..............???
Sorry, but there is not a lot of information on the Disney website.

[ashley0611]

Sounds really good - i wasnt aware that this was FREE!!!! I had noticed it on my Disney DVD yesterday and thought it looked great!

Silly question time - how big is it? eg if you felt a bit panicky in the water is it far to the edge? (For my benefit more than anyone else in our party!)

[Lisa-R]

Hi

The Shark Reef is part of the attractions at the park, no extra charge. :cool2:

You find the reef and go get your snorkel and mask - which are cleaned before use. There is a shower area on the way in, to wash your snorkel and yourself to get the chlorine off as you are now entering salt water with fish and I guess they don't like the chlorine iccky stuff.

The reef is oblong in shape and about 100 metres long and 40 wide. You wait in line, (if there is one) for an instructor to give you some guidance and rules about the reef, I seem to remember you could not touch the rocks and were asked to keep moving in the water forwards - i.e. no turning around or going off to one side. You are then called forward with about 8 or so people and you go nearer to the edge of the reef where there is a shelf that leads to the water. From the shelf/edge you slide in - no jumping or diving :confused2

The idea is that you swim your way slowly forward across the reef snorkeling and looking under. There are instructors in the reef should you need assistance and for safety. There are rocks strategically placed around the reef, but they did not like you resting on them!! :D

It didn't seem hurried at all and you can take as long as you like (within reason) to swim across. You get out at the end and hand your equipment back in. You can then go around and do it all again if you like :)

The water was deep and the kids are given flotation jackets, which is a great idea. I don't know if they had these for adults though. The water is quite cold - it feels chilly after being in the pools.

It is great fun and I am going to try again - less the snorkel this time -as I was hopeless.

One tip : we nearly missed the viewing area - and came across it by accident. There is an area by the reef that you can go into - it has a viewing window where you can see the fish and all the swimmers in the reef. Great if one of your party decides not to swim, but wants to take a photo or see the others.

The reef is great and our son loved telling everyone that he swam with a shark :D which is true, there are baby ones in there!! As for touching the fish, I think you can, if they come up to you.

Enjoy your trip.

Lisa
:wave:

[ashley0611]

Thanks for that info - hopefully there are adult floaters - otherwise there is no WAY I could swim 100metres without stopping :)

[mona]

Thank you , Lisa.......that really does answer all my questions.
Really looking forward to doing that....and the boys will be over the moon!!

[dibbaholic]

Shark reef is a must for all swimmers it's great!! Our kids were 6,8 & 4 and could have swam if they wanted to, they were all given life vests but they didn't wanna swim , dad went 1st to see how deep it was & we felt it would have worried them.:tinkani:

[mona]

I must say...........it worries me....:omg:

Instead of sending mum or dad....I think we'll send the kids to see if it would scare me....LOL
as I am terrified of anything swimming underneath me in the water and especially SHARKS

[chris5117]

How pathetic do I feel now reading about all of these kids swimming with the sharks no problems. Lol. I might have to try again minus the mask this time.

Loz

[EMILOT]

We really enjoyed the shark reef. We waited about 40mins. that was in Aug. The water is a bigger shock then the sharks LOL. The kids swam no problems.

[chris5117]

We really enjoyed the shark reef. We waited about 40mins. that was in Aug. The water is a bigger shock then the sharks LOL. The kids swam no problems.

Just keep on rubbing it in why don't you!!! Lol.

Loz

[EMILOT]

oops!!sorry loz:d: :d:

[Thimble]

I would really love to do this but I am not sure how I would cope. I tried using one of the kids snorkels the other year in the sea, but I having panic attacks. I think it was because I could hear myself breathing.:blush: I know it may sound daft but I think I maybe should practice with the snorkel in the bath so maybe I will get used to the breathing sound:rolleyes:. I am not afraid of swimming underwater etc. It is just the sound of my breathing through the tube I start to hyperventilate.

[tappers01]

I've never snorkelled before, but I loved every minute of this, you literally just float across the very cold water, with some amazing colour below you.

I would recommend it to anyone.