I too would like to know about it also. We weren't planning on making an reservations until we got there which is the week of 4/15. Last year we spent time snorkeling Coki Beach but this year we were thinking about doing the shark thing, para-sail & the sea trek at Coral World. The place does look awfully small and I wonder how much can they have there. Any feed back would be appreciated regarding it.

Well Dawn,

I am thinking if I don't get the reassurance I need before we leave I will not make a reservation ahead of time. We just might have to take a day trip to Coral World and the adjoining beach. Then when I get there if it looks interesting enough and they have room for me I will take part! My husband has already stated he will not be taking part no matter what (chicken). So, either way if I do it or not I will post back and let you know what I thought.

I thought it was small and the day we were there over half of the things were shut down for maintaince. Because there weren't any cruise ships in we went on that day because of that thought it would be better with out all the people. even if everything was open I don't think It's worth the price didn't see any shark encounter. Thought about fdoing the sea treak but my son said why do we want to do that there when we can snorkle out in the wild.
Tom

We had some friends and their children visiting us over the Thanksgiving holiday. They went to Coral World and subsequently, Coki. They loved Coki. They felt Coral World was a waste of money and not that fun. Of course, these people have been to Sea World in Orlando and other similar type attractions so maybe because of that, their experience with Coral World was disappointing. My disclaimer here is that I'm just the messenger. I've personally never been to Coral World.

We've been to Coral World. Took our kids last June. I concur with Tom. Very small and a little overpriced and underwhelming. I think we were only there for about an hour or so. For us it was definitely a one time visit although we didn't see the shark swim either.

Thanks.

Well if anyone chickens out it will be me. My husband would really love to do it. He has never gone para-sailing which I have and we have snorkeled lots of places but neither of us have walked on the ocean floor which seems like it could be fun too.

I think you should just head over to Waterlemon Cay on ST. John. I saw a lemon shark there and it was free! Lots of reports lately of these and nurse sharks in the water!

Here is a link to the picture.....

http://picasaweb.google.com/gofishtlp/StJohnUnderwaterJanuary2007/photo#5026975561281186418

Tracy

OMG, Tracy

Those pictures are incredible!!!!!!!!!!! I can not wait to get there and snorkel. Your pictures are so great. I have a very large digital camera and I now know I am going to have to purchase a smaller camera and a housing so I can take more underwater pictures. WOW!!!! There are so many that I love. I am kind of an ocean and fish freak and do to the size of the lens on our digital camera I have always used disposable cameras on our dives and when snorkeling and they have never turned out like yours. Do you have any kind of light on your camera or is it just that the waters you were in were not that deep? What kind of a housing do you use? What kind of camera do you have? Again thank you for the pictures and the info, I think we will be spending our money on a jeep instead and doing some snorkeling on St. John.

Oceanaddict
24 days and counting

Traci....those pictures are just beautiful. Thank you so much for posting them.

Thanks Ocean Addict. I had so much fun snorkeling this year! I was very disappointed in the past because I would use the underwater disposables and also tried a 35mm underwater camera - neither worked or took pictures that were any good. This camera doesn't have a light and no flash ever went off. I was snorkeling from shore each time.

For Christmas, I got myself a Canon A630 and the respective underwater housing from Canon. The camera has an underwater setting and I edited them on my computer once I returned home. This camera doesn't have a light and no flash ever went off. I was snorkeling from shore each time. It was a bit hit or miss because you can't really see much in the viewfinder, but with digital, as you know, you can take as many as you want!

You'll have to let us know how your trip goes!!

We did the Sea Trek at Coral World 2 years ago. It is out in the wild, not in a tank. You actually walk on the sea floor. It was worth it to do once. I looked at the shark encounter last year. From what I read on their web site I decided that it wasn't worth it. You don't swim with the sharks. You stand in waist deep water and bend over to stick your face under water to see the sharks. It didn't sound very exciting. Maybe they have changed it now, I don't plan on going back when we're there this May.

Actual admission fees for Coral World are $18 for adults and $9 for children. Coral world has lots to offer in my eyes and I have been there many times! After Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, it was re-built and didn't re-open for quite a while. What a beautiful job! If you are paying more than this thru an agent, my suggestion is, once you are on-island make your OWN arrangements! Ck'd out some sights and see some major fees being charged!
I DO feel Coral World is worth it for those who are interested! I myself, have never been there and seen anything shut down, but again....once you are here, you can call and find out if there are any displays that are shut down!
Hope you go and enjoy it! 🙂

I do plan on still going. I have a big fear of sharks and was considering on doing the shark encounter in a controlled environment at Coral World. I don't want to know about the sharks in the wild. I want to pretend they are not there when I am snorkeling & swimming. I know they are there and have seen 1 once (hammerhead) and couldn't go back into the water again for 2 years. I have been snorkeling for 17 years with that 1 bad experience (to me, not others in our group) and hope not to see any sharks when I get there.

In fact lets stop this thread please. Ocean addict got her answer & I got mine.

Thank you.

Dawn,
I don't get it. If you are so scared of sharks, why do you even want to do the shark encounter? Do you think this will make you less scared of them when you encounter them in the "wild"? Maybe it will. just wondering.

Hello,

I've done the trekkin at Coral World but not the shark encounter and haven't seen it in action. The trekkin was neat as Bassman mentioned. It was outside their underwater observatory not within a tank, different to experience walking on the ocean floor - LOL. I am guessing the shark encounter is at their outdoor shark tank which contains numerous younger sharks. That is where they do the petting a shark/educational shark intro., and I have seen that. Waterguy, its a shame they didn't tell you they were doing maintenance when you bought your tickets. I have been there numerous times, haven't met anything closed. I've always enjoyed the visits. If parts are closed it would be disappointing since its a small park.

A tip for those interested in Coral World, go to their website www.coralworldvi.com. In the top right corner there is a graphic to click on and print a $3 off admission coupon. 😉

--Islander

Well for starters my husband would love to do it. I don't know that it will calm my fears but it may help and it is not something you do everyday, pet a shark

Thanks to everyone,

We are going to have 3 days that we have meetings in the morning and can not get off site until after noon. I think that we might just head over to Coral World and the beach on one of these days (save the full days for St. John and the Baths). I will check into the Shark Encounter at that time and if it looks cool I am in. And either way I will post what I find. I really appreciate everyones input. I can not wait to get over there and get snorkeling!!! ( we usually scuba but it has been 2 years since we were down under last and I don't feel like waisting time and money with a refresher coarse this time.) I am going to get one of Tracy's cameras and case this weekend so I should be all set!!!! Oh, I hope, I hope, I hope, I get to get a picture of one of those "unmentionables" (sorry Dawn). I am very excited.

And Dawn, I hope that you get to Snorkel till you are pruney and never see one of those "unmentionables" that way we both get to enjoy our trips!

Oceanaddict
22 days and counting

I just looked at your pictures. Very nice!

I thought Hawknest looked to shallow to snorkel when I was there. Did you have any problem getting in the water?