Sharks in PR

[ken(toronto)]

Hi:

I'm planning to do a bit of shallow water detecting at Playa Azul in PR in 2 weeks; any dangers of sharks, sting rays, jellyfish, water snakes,.........or other unpleasant creatures? maximum chest-deep water.

Thanks

Ken

[Gregory]

Wow I don't know about that but be sure to ask the locals before venturing out in the water.

[rip]

on the discovery channel,and sharks often come right up to the shore ! The worst spot seems to be along sand bars were the shallow water drops into the deep water.good luck and be carefull !

[Steve in PR]

It depends on where you are in PR. The only areas that I am aware that there have been problems with sharks is along the north coast. I am not familiar with Playa Azul.

There was a recent "mauling" of a girl off the beach in Carolina about a month ago Thje beach is on the north coast, near the airport. She received stitches but was otherwise ok. They were not 100% sure it was a shark. As a norm, shark attacks here are extremely rare. That is why this recent incident got local media attention and why I became aware of it.

For the most part, you should not have to worry. The only incidents I have had in 2 years was with a small but naughty jellyfish and a nasty crab that pinched my toe!

I suggest having a bottle of vinegar handy to counteract the sting. Very effective. Do not rub any jellyfish sting. Use a credit card or something similar to scrape the tiny stingers out then wash the area down with the vinegar.

As for the crab, if I had caught him, he would have been dinner!

No snakes. Congre eels can be a problem for divers who stick their hands into holes in the reefs but that is more of a deep water problem. Wear sandals. Not because of creatures but because of broken glass and sharp metal.

If you decide to take a walk on a reef, wear sandals. Red urchins can be painful if stepped on.

Sensible precautions will keep you safe.

[bdahunter]

The really dangerous sharks are the owns you are probably familiar with in Toronto, Land Sharks. The punks and muggers that are now a part of everyday life, they're down here in paradise land so keep you eyes open when you're on vacation.
The sharks in the water are rare, but a little spooky because of our imaginations not a statistical threat. Still the idea of being carved up live by a mndless eating machine with a month full of serrated knives is a little disconcerting and all of us water hunters have had second thoughts on occassion.
Jellyfish, stingrays, coral cuts (man they hurt and take a long time to heal) and sea anemones are more probable causes of pain so just keep your head up when in the water.

Good Luck!

BDA

[ken(toronto)]

Thanks Steve:

Playa Azul is next to Luquillo (just east of Luquillo), north coast.
I may limit the water depth to waist level, maybe that will lessen the probability of a shark-encounter.
I will visit Luquillo Beach also, as it is one of the top beaches in PR.
I've read that the water is calmer on the north-east beaches than the westcoast beaches, is that true?

HH

Ken

[ken(toronto)]

Hi BDAhunter:

What a small world! Yes, Toronto is getting pretty bad with crime, as any other big city. This is due to the ineffectiveness of the justice system, and in-action by governments. The law is more concerned with protecting the rights of criminals rather than the public!

I don't blame you for moving to paradise.

Now, what can you tell me about Bermuda? I'm going there in October on a cruise, but will be docked for 3 1/2 days. Does the beaches there give up anything? Names like Tobacco Beach, St Catherines Beach, Elbow and Horseshoe Beaches come to mind. I like to get my souvenirs for free!

HH

Ken

[bdahunter]

Tobacco Bay is a popular place for snorkelling so conditions should be calm and there should be targets to hunt. You should go there if you are docked in St. Georges. The south shore beaches are more challenging as the surf is bigger for wet hunting and you have to watch out for rip tides, plenty of dry stuff to work though. All hunting is to be done during the early morning or later in the evening otherwise the parks rangers will run you off the beach for disturbing the other tourists. These beaches are easiest to reach if you are docked in Hamilton or Dockyard.
If you dock at Dockyard then look me up as I live only 10 minutes away and perhaps we can get in some hunt time together.

Cheers,

BDA

[ken(toronto)]

sent you an E-mail.

Ken