The last time that we stayed at Sorobon (2 yrs ago) we were advised not to snorkel/dive there at night because the sharks like to come into the shallows during that time. Can any one advise on this??? Over the years I have learned to listen to the locals advise about diveing spots, so we did not snorkel Sorobon at night.

Man, am I curious!
For health reasons I am not able to dive anymore. But special experiences like seeing sharks............mmmmmmmmmmm!
Details are welcome!

Toos

Tod,

Lac (behind the Sorobon reef) is a great early evening and night snorkel. I recommend getting in the
water before sunset. It is a great time to see colors. The acute angle of the sunlight in later afternoon combined with the ultra-clear shallow water creates a visual display that I think is unparalleled in beauty and function. As it gets dark, more and more organisms appear and disappear. Octopi get mobile. Flatworms come out. And a variety of subterranean organisms send out runners to probe.

This timing allows your eyes to adjust and also find you way around, deal with currents, and of course help you develop new techniques for avoiding the most dangerous organisms in the night, sea urchins. Sharks, though sighted once in awhile, aren't a problem, in fact, you will be lucky to see one.

The Sorobon Reef is an amazing ecosystem, teeming with life. Some of best shallow-water coral lives there. Snorkeling up into some of the coral slots where the water is deeper has a lot of wave and current action. Schools of larger fish are there too. Depending on the seas some of these areas get to pretty rough and would be difficult to stay clear of the coral at night. So I avoid those areas (at night).

Happy snorkeling,

Bud

We have seen small (2-3 feet) reef sharks in the shallows at night right at Sorobon. This isn't made up! I'm sure there's bigger ones out there too.

It's up to YOU whether you think it's way cool to swim with them or stay the heck away! Personally, I think it's way cool But it still gives me the heebiejeebies at the same time to not be able to see what's around me...

I live in east central Florida which has been called "sharkbite capital of the US". The general advice here is that sharks feed at dusk. Just my two cents worth, but I suppose there may be some truth to it for the Caribbean too.

On many trips to Aruba, there have been no warnings about swimming near sunset.

On the other hand, most of actual bites here in FL happened to surfers who saw fins in the waves but still wanted to "catch a wave". The surfers also frequent an inlet where baitfish (food for sharks) are prevalent.

I thank you for the in-put. I think it would be nice to see some sharks too/again. I am not worried (much) about diving with sharks, depending on the conditions/situation. But I must admit, that the first time on a dive (off LaJolla shores, CA) coming face to face with two sharks did scare the po po out of me!!!!!! & that was in the day time. When your viz is reduced to nothing more than the beam of your light, things are a little interesting at night. I have had sea snakes swim up the flashlight beam on night dives. I really like the bioluminesence critters (green glowy thingies) at night.

The info that I received, made it sound like some hollywood Leviathon(sp) stalked the waters at night off Sorobon. I guess that I should have taken it with a grain of salt, and did the snorkel. In another 99 days we'll be back at Sorobon, and we'll do the deed!!!!

Yes- please do let us know how it goes- we watched how far the tide went out a few times in the bay and I never thought about going in at night- I was too afraid of hitting coral that I coudn't see. Lovely Sorobon!! Just thinking about it relaxes me!!

Tod,
Just watch those hangiedownparts

My wife and I do a night snorkel in Lac Bay every year we go, wading in from Sorobon where we stay. We use our dive lights to search for sea urchins on the way; they tend to move in from the reef at night. We attach a strobe light to the Sorobon raft as a point of reference, as we snorkel all over the reef and one can lose their bearings at night. When we're done we just go to the raft and from that point it's relatively easy to snorkel in, as long as you look up every so often and correct your course.

Last year we took and English couple we've known for about six years and a German couple we just met a few days before, and they had the time of their lives as it was the first night snorkel for all of them. Anyone who has snorkeled or done a night dive knows that at night it is a whole other world under there. We've seen southern sting rays, barracuda, green morays, and of course all of the other less feared creatures, many in their night coloration or sleeping in the reef.

We too saw the small sharks around the Sorobon dock, but they are harmless. They are more afraid of you than you are of them. Just plan your trip, take the necessary precautions, and have a great time. What you don't see at night is probably the same sea life you see during the day.

Awesome - I love snorkeling Sorobon but never thought about snorkeling there at night. The thought of seeing a shark makes it even more exciting! I will definately add this to my "must do" list when I am there in a few weeks. Thanks for the tip.