Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
I went on the New Horizons BVI boat trip in May. We went to Marina Cay for lunch and then Diamonds Reef for snorkeling. Let me start by saying that I am no expert on snorkeling or fish. Anyway, there was this really long silvery fish with a long nose and big eyes. It just kind of hovered by me and I even took a picture of it with my disposable underwater camera. The picture did not turn out the best, but since I got home and have been doing a lot of research....I swear it looks like a barracuda and acted like one. Does anybody know if they are prominent in that area of the BVI's or if there is any other fish that resemble them?
On STX we often see barracuda. They don't bother you if you don't bother them. Snorkelers are warned against wearing shiny, dangly jewelry, like earrings. The barracuda could mistake it for a food fish.
They're all over the place here and a very common sight.
Very common here in the BVI. They won't bother you.
That really creeps me out. I did have on jewelry. Note to self....next time do not snorkle with rings on.
When we were snorkeling off of Buck Island last week we saw a barracuda as well, so they must be pretty common around the islands. A friend of ours also ran into a barracuda while snorkeling in St. Thomas. But it didn't seem to want anything to do with us, so I wasn't too nervous....a tad bit because it looked like he was eerily smiling at me, but other than that, we just left him be and all was well. (tu)
Hey, Lisa! What would you have done if you had seen a shark?? 😉
I saw a small reef shark (3 ft) off the Indians last week. First time in 30 years.
We had 3 great days in STJ and 7 days sailing the BVI with a chill out day in STT
Life is good...
Don't sweat the barracuda as long as you are bigger than they are... 🙂
Jumped back in the boat as fast as possible. I think I may not be cut out to be a snorkeler.
They are very curious fish and have poor eyesite which is why they seem to get close and follow you. They are very common in the waters of the VI. They are kind of creep looking and seem to stare at you, probably because their vision is so poor.
lisab: Unless you go around poking at them with a stick or are spearfishing and dragging bloody fish through the water, you will not be bothered by shark and barracuda. You have more to worry about from brushing against fire coral or stepping on urchins. Go have fun when you snorkel.
We were snorkeling off StT and there was a long black fish that my husband and guide were swimming around near the bottom. They came up and I asked what it was. They said it was a barracuda. I asked why is it black and I thought they swim near the surface. They told me it was mad...
I almost freaked there but the guide shoo'd it away.
He shoo'ed it away? Hmmmmmmmm......
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Barracuda are interesting to watch. I have seen many during my snorkels and I do not ever recall seeing one moving or at least moving at a speed above a crawl. I prefer to keep my distance, make myself appear larger (vertical), and make no agressive moves (this would include "shoo'ing"). Most important is not to swim like hell away from the fish. This is taken as a sign of fear and/or attracts the predator making them wonder if perhaps you are easy prey.
The good thing about my encounter was I had no clue what it was. Good thing. I wonder what it thought of me taking a picture of it.
