Hey guys! I am Brandy, I had a bunch of questions about VH a couple of months ago. I am still going there in November and I read this board everyday, I just don't post much, since I haven't been yet. But watch out when I get back! I am so terribly excited about seeing AC and VH and everything!

Ok, here are some new questions. First off, do the guides/tourists feed the sharks at Shark Alley and any other places? My finacee's dad is a shark expert, and my fiancee is also becoming a zoologist (who will focus more on ecological conservation, not sharks). Anyway, he thinks it would be "scandalous" if he got a fluke bite at some place where they are feeding sharks. (His dad runs the Shark Attack Files and has also spoken out against shark feeding.)

I personally want to feed them and swim with them, and I think Matt will be fine if I fib to him and get him out there. So, I was just checking to see at which sites they do that (and so I can prepare myself with some lil' ol white lies).

Also, I know there have been a lot of posts about the quality of diving there. We went to Bonaire with his family last year, but we only got to dive once because I got seriously sinus-y sick. Is the diving similar? Better/Worse? How is AC compared to Bonaire. Bonaire was not the lap of luxery, but there was good food, and nice snorkeling and diving. I get a simmilar vibe about AC when I read posts.

Ok, any thoughts feedback would ROCK! Thanks, I love you guys!

Brandy Q

Hey Brandy,
We have been to AC several times and have yet to run into guide who is not conscientious of his/her surroundings. Be it the reef, aquatic life or the divers/snorklers. As for shark/ray alley, I make sure not to miss it each time I go. I remember the first time that my fiance and I went there. Looking behind the boat once we arrived there I couldn't help but to recognize these 5-7 ft sharks swimming behind the boat and asked myself "I'm going to jump in the water with those?". Knowing that these sharks probably wouldn't harm a fly, I jumped on in. These sharks/rays have been so conditioned to come right up to you that I have never heard of an incident....As long as you dont shove you're hand in there mouth wondering if they have teeth. But all I can say is enjoy you're time at AC because you'll be back.

At Shark/Ray Alley -- Yes,they do feed the sharks. Sorry if this bums you out. The sharks seem to enjoy it. <just trying to be funny>

Kathy

Oh no, I'm cool with shark feeding an I am sure that I can get Matt to enjoy it to. He is just worried about the one in a trillion chance he would get bitten while at a shark feeding site and his dad would have to document the bite. Shark feeding is not "scientifically smart", but I think it will be awesome.

I am just looking forward to getting my scuba on.

Thanks guys,
BQ

The sharks at Shark Ray Alley are nurse sharks.