shark in Aruba

dspence · 07-31-2008, 10:20 PM

Ok, now I have been snorkling in Aruba for 8 yrs now and NEVER saw what I had seen at DePalm 2 weeks ago. We were out on the reef when a shark about 4.5 feet swam by me. It took a few minutes to sink in and I was furious I did not have my camera. Then a paniced just a little and signaled my husband. He did not see the shark. We went back to the dock and I asked the attendant what type it was,,,,he was a little hesitant and then finally said,"oh, you saw our lemon shark that has been swimming around our reef." Just then a little girl about 10 came up and said she saw the shark too. So i knew I wasn't crazy. I have seen sharks in the water on other islands before but this was my first for Aruba.

danadog56 · 08-01-2008, 12:59 PM

I have heard they have sharks around the island, but have heard that in order to keep them on the rougher side of the island they throw old meat out daily.....anyone know if that is true or not ???? We never see any boats out around the rough side when we take the jeeps or quads out, but then it may be a different time of day......

Arubalisa · 08-01-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danadog56

they throw old meat out daily.....anyone know if that is true or not ???? We never see any boats out around the rough side when we take the jeeps or quads out, but then it may be a different time of day......

From what I have been told

, it was not necessarily meat, but "garbage" which was dumped on the windward side. This was in lieu of using the garbage dump (now located south of the airport by the cement factory.) IF they were indeed dumping garbage, I am sure it was attracting all kinds of sealife.

danadog56 · 08-01-2008, 02:18 PM

So does that mean they aren't dumping if a shark was seen...or just a random occurance....either way it makes me a little nervous....you know how lucky I am.....don't need to go home and explain a bunch of stitches................that's awful even joking about it.....shame on me !!!!

Arubalisa · 08-01-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danadog56

or just a random occurance

As far as I know, this sighting was a random occurrence, and garbage is no longer dumped.

*Andrea J.* · 08-01-2008, 03:10 PM

COOL sighting, i am sorry that you did not have your camera.

A few yrs ago after hurricane Ivan, we were near the airport looking at a boat that had burned and saw a shark just kind of sharking around looking for something to do. He/She was at the surface a few times and we could see the fin.
Dh blamed that shark's appearance on the bad weather conditions a few days prior.

So many folks would have LOVED to have seen what you saw.
Others....................no way.

Thanks for telling us.
Andrea

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspence

Ok, now I have been snorkling in Aruba for 8 yrs now and NEVER saw what I had seen at DePalm 2 weeks ago. We were out on the reef when a shark about 4.5 feet swam by me. It took a few minutes to sink in and I was furious I did not have my camera. Then a paniced just a little and signaled my husband. He did not see the shark. We went back to the dock and I asked the attendant what type it was,,,,he was a little hesitant and then finally said,"oh, you saw our lemon shark that has been swimming around our reef." Just then a little girl about 10 came up and said she saw the shark too. So i knew I wasn't crazy. I have seen sharks in the water on other islands before but this was my first for Aruba.

ArubaSalsa · 08-01-2008, 03:19 PM

Guys,

I was at the Palm Island this past Wednesday and I did see the shark as well. I've been snorkeling for years and have never seen a shark. Now I know that there are sharks. It was around 4 or 5 feet. The good news... I had my underwater camera with me and I got 2 pictures. As soon as I've developed my camera I'll post the pictures. I think it was a small tooth tiger shark.

Stay posted for the pics

danadog56 · 08-01-2008, 07:33 PM

Wow Reggie,
That's really cool...can't wait to see the pictures.........

KATH2ME · 08-02-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspence

Ok, now I have been snorkling in Aruba for 8 yrs now and NEVER saw what I had seen at DePalm 2 weeks ago. We were out on the reef when a shark about 4.5 feet swam by me. It took a few minutes to sink in and I was furious I did not have my camera. Then a paniced just a little and signaled my husband. He did not see the shark. We went back to the dock and I asked the attendant what type it was,,,,he was a little hesitant and then finally said,"oh, you saw our lemon shark that has been swimming around our reef." Just then a little girl about 10 came up and said she saw the shark too. So i knew I wasn't crazy. I have seen sharks in the water on other islands before but this was my first for Aruba.

Arubalisa,
Now, I certainly hope Mr. Eel will be hanging out with Mr. Shark shopping in Miami in November ( ha ha ) What do you think ?

Arubalisa · 08-02-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KATH2ME

Arubalisa,
Now, I certainly hope Mr. Eel will be hanging out with Mr. Shark shopping in Miami in November ( ha ha ) What do you think ?

The shark will be much further than Miami, I hear he goes to Vegas.

We've seen them while diving in Florida, but never saw one in Aruba.

07-31-2008, 10:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
dspence Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9	shark in Aruba Ok, now I have been snorkling in Aruba for 8 yrs now and NEVER saw what I had seen at DePalm 2 weeks ago. We were out on the reef when a shark about 4.5 feet swam by me. It took a few minutes to sink in and I was furious I did not have my camera. Then a paniced just a little and signaled my husband. He did not see the shark. We went back to the dock and I asked the attendant what type it was,,,,he was a little hesitant and then finally said,"oh, you saw our lemon shark that has been swimming around our reef." Just then a little girl about 10 came up and said she saw the shark too. So i knew I wasn't crazy. I have seen sharks in the water on other islands before but this was my first for Aruba.

08-01-2008, 12:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
danadog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 1,178	I have heard they have sharks around the island, but have heard that in order to keep them on the rougher side of the island they throw old meat out daily.....anyone know if that is true or not ???? We never see any boats out around the rough side when we take the jeeps or quads out, but then it may be a different time of day...... __________________ too many days to count..feels like forever till we get to go back to paradise....

08-01-2008, 02:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
danadog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 1,178	So does that mean they aren't dumping if a shark was seen...or just a random occurance....either way it makes me a little nervous....you know how lucky I am.....don't need to go home and explain a bunch of stitches................that's awful even joking about it.....shame on me !!!! __________________ too many days to count..feels like forever till we get to go back to paradise....

08-01-2008, 03:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
ArubaSalsa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mambo Jambo, Moomba beach Posts: 121 Images: 19	Guys, I was at the Palm Island this past Wednesday and I did see the shark as well. I've been snorkeling for years and have never seen a shark. Now I know that there are sharks. It was around 4 or 5 feet. The good news... I had my underwater camera with me and I got 2 pictures. As soon as I've developed my camera I'll post the pictures. I think it was a small tooth tiger shark. Stay posted for the pics __________________ Salsa Greetings, Reggie www.arubasalsa.com

08-01-2008, 07:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
danadog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 1,178	Wow Reggie, That's really cool...can't wait to see the pictures......... __________________ too many days to count..feels like forever till we get to go back to paradise....