ok that just made my stomach turn! where is jumbie bay???

Jumbie Bay is on St. John, Between Peace Hill and Trunk Bay on the North shore. It is not a very popular beach with tourists because there are only 3 parking places, but locals sometimes go there, and being that this is next Trunk Bay, we thought it would be important to let people know. The reef at Jumbie is sort of like a horseshoe shape, or small lagoon, and he was at the small openning to the reef area when he saw the shark.

Leticia: No need to worry! The last time we had a shark attack was something like 1971! And even IF you were to see one, you are not their natural food source, so, unless you provoke them (which I don't suggest), odds are they will continue on their merry way...don't give it a second thought...I don't!

Sharks regulary come in close to shore to lay their eggs to give the babies a better chance of survival.

We did see a small shark swimming lazily along Magans Bay while we were there early Feb. Also - a guy said he saw a larger one at Waterlemon Cay - out by the Cay (a long swim from the beach).

Matt: I am going to request your father's qualifications for shark identification. While there are sharks around, I have never heard of a tiger shark near shore.
Signed,
The Skeptic

I will have to defer to a marine biologist or shark specialist to resolve that one. I have to say that I am more skeptical of a person who believes sharks like these never come to shore, than of my father who is a physician and saw it with his own two eyes. As far as I know, the only other shark that has vertical markings like this one did is a Leopard shark, and those are only found on the pacific coast of North America, wheras Tiger sharks have a very large habitat stretching around the globe. I think the previous respondents were right: there is nothing to worry about, and it was probably coming into shore to check on some eggs, etc.

Those "baby" or small sharks some people see probably aren't sharks, they're remora (sp?) They look just like upsided down sharks.

In the wouldda beens and couldda beens catagory, it might have been a Black Tip shark. I have seen one of those off of STT, while snorkeling the reef at Sapphire Beach Resort. Of course that was some years ago (1995, I think). But they are sometimes mistaken for tiger sharks.

Not doubting your Dad's word, Matt, I'm sure he saw a shark...just offering a possible other identity.

I hope that I am lucky enough to see a shark while I'm snorkeling!

Seddy Callwood on Jost Van Dyke reminded us in November, after my son had been stung by either a jelly fish or Portuguese Man-of-War in front of his bar, that creatures of the water are unpredictable. He thought most likely that it was the latter and when I mentioned that we'd been told not to worry about such things in these parts, he laughed and said...nobody wants you to worry about anything while you are visiting, but very large sharks do pass by here -- he said while motioning out to White Bay and towards St. John. He said, I see them and when I'm swimming, I look around and pay attention for sharks and things that can sting. I don't swim with big sharks. Just keep watching and use your head was his advice. Good advice I think...don't freak out, but keep in mind that sharks don't pay attention to the labels we put on waterways, let alone swim area markers! ha ha! By the way, he thought it was probably a P. Man-of War sting and said that we should do nothing. He looked at it, rinsed it with water, and said if that's what it was it would stop hurting in about 20 minutes. Sure enough...15 minutes of magic tricks later, the nasty pain was gone! I kept telling him that I had understood that those creatures weren't common in the Virgin Islands and especially not 'this time of year'. He just kept laughing and looking at me like a man who has grown up in the islands looks at a stupid tourist! ha ha! 🙂 If you haven't met Seddy, be sure to go over to JVD on your next trip.

Matt: I'm just saying it is difficult to identify sharks. Not that they aren't out there, but they are hard to tell apart, even for a physician! 😉 The Skeptic didn't say they NEVER come near shore, but that the Skeptic had never HEARD of them near shore. Paul Humann says: "Sharks with more-or-less pointed noses (Requiem and Mackerel sharks) are represented by at least eight families within our area. (FL and Caribbean) Generally, they are rarely observed by divers and, when sighted, are extremely difficult to distinguish."

And for the sharkaphobes, unless you are spearfishing, they mostly are disinterested in snorkelers and divers.

WOW! Well now, thanks for that Sapphire comment. I have been down somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6 times in the last 10 years and the 1st 2-3 trips you would have to break my arm to get me in the water. I have been gradually getting better about that. Last June I went into the water and went way out and found 5 sea turtles at Sapphire. It was great but I was scared to death something like that would show up from the depths. Thank God it didn't. I guess I have just foolishly convinced myself that sharks don't frequent the calm clear waters of the usvi. I won't let this keep me from going in but I won't go alone anymore. What do you do if you see a shark? TRY to remain calm? I'm not sure if I could! Ha ha ha!

>What do you do if you see a shark?

Try not to look like a fish! 🙂

Ha ha ha ha!! I guess I asked for that one! LOL!

CariBert,

But all the sharks you see, HAVE NO TEETH!. LOL

This past Friday 2/16 we were at Jumbie and we saw a nurse shark hiding out under the reef off to the left of Jumbie beach. It was not interested in us and we just floated and watched it for a bit. We did see plenty of sting-rays and a couple of them were right up to the waters edge on the beach. It was so close we were able to stand on the beach and take a great photo. Jill

I saw a huge shark yesterday. . . .oh wait that was a humpback whale! We were out in between Tortola and Jost closer to Smugglers Cove when I spotted the blow spray. I didn't want to bring our boat too close because it was a baby whale and an adult so the pictures didn't come out that great but it was pretty amazing. Hopefully we see more before the "whale season" is over.

-Capt. Josh

LOL, Sandcrab, you are correct. Most of the sharks I see do not have any teeth! They are old, like me!

But to address laticia, I consider myself extremely lucky to see any of the fish (sharks included) when I am out snorkeling. It doesn't happen that often. Just remember, you are a guest in their world, don't bother them, and they won't bother you. Just thnk how fortunate you are to observe these creatures in their natural habitat, while millions of folks have to settle for photos in a book.

Don't stay out of the water because you fear them, go into the water and respect and enjoy them!

Guess I better get off the soap box now...........later all,

-Bert