Shark Reef @ Typhoon Lagoon

[imaprincess!]

Is there an additional charge to snorkel at Shark Reef? If so, what is the cost? Is it worth doing? I'm really interested in it for my older children, ages 13 and 11. I was looking at the other diving/snorkeling program at Epcot/Living Seas, too.

[robhink]

There is no charge for the Shark Reef but the experience isn't that long, you get in and have to swim across the water in a straight line. You can go back and do it a couple times but it's not anything that you are going to spend a long time with.

[imaprincess!]

So I'd be better off paying extra and sending them to Epcot, huh?

[Pirate Granny]

Unless you go with them they can't participate. I believe the age is 16 to go alone. I've done it, but it's pretty expensive...you don't need to pay for EPCOT admission as you use a back door and they escort you out the same back door. It was an OK experience and my family still jokes with me that I swam with the fishes...whatever was I thinking...have you ever come face to face with a sea turtle...do you know they have teeth...good thing you can't hear screams underwater...I'm sure I would've scared the entire tank.

[nicster]

We enjoyed the swimming with the sharks. Yes, you do swim straight thru, but you can go at what ever pace, you like. We brought our own snorkles, but they do have ones that you can rent (nominal fee, if I recall correctly $5?)

[cajunprincess]

I don't remember having to pay for snorkeling gear. I think we just walked up and they gave us one, then we returned it to them when we were finished. Im sure that someone will come along with a little better knowledge on this one!

[Pally]

It is fun but boy that water is cold!!!!!

[crltkcagle]

It is fun but boy that water is cold!!!!!

The water is freezing! lol

[Daddy Mouse]

I always found the cooler water refreshing. It brings the body's temp down a few degrees.

[Nascfan]

There is no additional charge for shark reef, and if you are going to be at Typhoon Lagoon anyway, I highly recommend doing it. I don't know anything about the Epcot program.

[sisterdisco]

Having snorkeled in the Caribbean and Mexico,
I have to say that it is very nice to do at TL.

I am not sure how great it is at the living seas, as you would be a the top of the 30foot tank. I am not sure of the visibility

My husband has done the scuba diving at the living seas (need to be open water certified) and he loves it. A must do every trip.

My son did a thing for $20 last summer at Shark Reef, where they gave him a mini air tank, and he used scuba equipment, but the life preserver (BC) was inflated to keep him on top of the water. >He loved it.

[steamboat willy]

It's a fun time.
The swim and the gear is all included with your admission to Typhoon Lagoon. No extra charge.
Water is cool, but hey its Florida and feels good.
The key is timing. You enter water usually with a group of other swimmers.
Mess with your mask/snorkle so as to be in the back of the group. Paddle real slow...
(I think they tell you to not kick your feet).

It's Salt Water so you float very easy.
This way you are not pushed across the tank.
I even took a disposable water proof cameara and got a few pictures of the fish.

and the submarine.
I then hopped out, got back in line and went right back in again.

[Imagineer1981]

we have never done this, but we definitely need to on our next trip.

[Luv4WDW]

I did the snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon a few years ago and loved it. We went over and over and over! The snorkel gear was free. I agree with the previous poster, try to go towards the end of the pack, that way people aren't kicking you in the face.

[nicster]

I just found the following quote on the WDW site. Has anyone doe the SAS that they describe?

All the equipment you need to swim in the Shark Reef tank including snorkels, masks and lifejackets is provided at no additional charge. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you would like to spend even more time exploring the waters of Shark Reef, you can extend your experience using tanks. Visit Hammer Head Fred's Dive Shop and ask about the SAS (Supplied Air Snorkeling) system. This equipment is available at an addtional charge.

[sisterdisco]

This is what I was talking about---my son getting a "mini-tank" and floating on top of the water.
It was $20, and I believe that the shop that was set up as a kiosk, was by an independent contractor. His hours varied. You don't need any previous training. you float on top of the water, but breath through a regulator. It is pretty cool. My son thought he was SOOO cool!

[gregburg]

On our second trip we took our own mask and snorkles. This made a big difference for our kids since they were more comfortable with their own gear.

More recently we have started doing the Surface Scuba (SAS) side. It costs a bit more, but you get so much more time in the environment. Plus there are only a few people which makes it a lot better experience. My kids did this at ages 8, 11, 13.

-Greg

[kemps@wdw]

No extra charge, but alot of extra fun. Shark Reef ROCKS! It's not very long. You just swim in a straight line, snorkeling asross the top of the water tank and looking down @ all the sea life. The water is very cold, and the sharks are very real! Be sure to take an underwater camera. It may be a little hard to see thru the viewfinder with the goggles on, but, trust me, they'll turn out just fine!!

[BluewaterBrad]

Free, fun, and worth doing! it goes fast though, they dont let you just stay and observe you have to slow snorkel to the end.

[yjgirl32]

MY DS6 has been practicing using a snorkel. He is dying to try this. I too can't wait. Hope he is able to. The "mini" tank experience- is there and age limit on that too? Thanks in advance for any help.