While enjoying your day in The Bahamas, remember to be aware of your surroundings.
TikTok user Brad (@funshenanigansnstuff) took to social media to share a video of a shark close to the shore at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay. The sighting was near South Beach's floating bar. Though the shark never fully breaches the surface, the fin is easy to spot, and you can follow the shadow of it swimming underneath the water.
"It's right under the table," warns Brad, "[It's] swimming right to that guy right there." A female begins speaking, trying to call on others to warn the lone swimmer, who Brad presumes is under the influence of alcohol.
Having finally understood the cries from other guests, he begins swimming toward the floating bar. "Yeah, he made it!" exclaims Brad.
The video was shared to TikTok in October 2022, with Brad adding that it was captured on October 10, 2022.
Thankfully, nobody was injured by the shark. However, that wasn't the first shark sighting at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas.
While snorkeling at CocoCay, Reddit user @Darnshesfast shared a clip of a small shark she and her son saw. "It was really cute," they explain, "We try to teach [our children] that animals are their own thing and have boundaries. Especially wild animals that are not pets."
@spyder5156 also claimed to have seen sharks while snorkeling on the island. They paid for access to the exclusive Coco Beach Club in March 2023 and had a better-than-expected experience. It was the first time they had seen sharks while snorkeling!
"We got into port at 9am… we were at Coco Beach Club (paid for access) slightly to the left side closer to the pier for the overwater cabanas. There were several in the area because we saw another when we went out to the sandbar about 100 feet from shore," they later commented.
"It was awesome! Edit: We saw them...several times throughout the day, so [it was] not just limited to [the] morning."
Similarly, @mspriggs84 shared a picture of a shark her father-in-law spotted at CocoCay. The post's caption reads, "[Father-in-law] ran [into] this guy at Coco Cay. We’re thinking Lemon or Sand Tiger? What are your thoughts?"
Many comments agree that it's a Lemon Shark, with @CesarGameBoy providing the best explanation: "That is most certainly a Lemon Shark. Sand Tigers have more hunched backs and a curved snout. Plus their tails are more similar to Nurse or Goblin Sharks, rather than the cruising style you see on almost every other Shark like Great Whites, Reef Sharks, and Lemon Sharks."
Lemon sharks are generally not considered dangerous to humans. Like all wildlife, though, they will defend themselves if threatened. It's wise to exercise caution and respect their space when you encounter sharks—or any other marine life—in their natural habitat.
Refrain from sporadic sudden movements and avoid direct eye contact. Instead, maintain a calm demeanor and slowly move away from the shark.
Back on TikTok, @shopbebe77 shared a video in 2023 showing yet another shark swimming in CocoCay. @johnson_family_antics also posted a clip of a shark sighting during their time ashore. "We saw a shark too, when we were there, pretty cool," commented @VondaB.
Though shark attacks are rare, it's important to keep an eye on your surroundings at all times
In 2022, a passenger onboard Harmony of the Seas was killed during a shark attack on an independent excursion.
According to U.S News & World Report, the family was escorted to Green Cay by the tour company, which is roughly a half mile northwest of Rose Island and the site of another shark attack that claimed the life of a 21-year-old American woman in 2019.
"The family was reportedly snorkeling in waters and that area is known for visitors to snorkel," police said.
"It is further reported that family members observed a bull shark attacking the female."
After the incident, she was transported to the mainland and declared dead. The police stated she had sustained injuries to her upper body.
You never know what's lurking under your cruise ship
Have you ever wondered what marine life is swimming around your ship? In November 2021, Greek photographer Odysseas Frolian shared footage captured from a GoPro sent underneath a Celebrity ship to YouTube. Since being posted nearly three years ago, it has amassed over 7.5 million views, 8,600 comments, and 124,000 likes.
During the day, he lowers the camera to reveal the size of the ship's keel, which remains hidden underneath the ocean's surface. As soon as the camera descends under the water, it's met by a school of fish. Some even approach the camera out of curiosity!
Frolian later returns to show what's lurking under the water at night. Though at first, all we see is darkness and bubbles, the two minutes of night footage quickly shows a shark entering the frame. That's not all—a second shark is seen swimming closer to the ocean's floor!
Read more: Video shows the curious marine life under a cruise ship when a GoPro is dropped in the ocean
When swimming at CocoCay, pay attention to the warning flags
Perfect Day at CocoCay is a popular spot for cruisers. Whether you're seeking a relaxing beach day, an adrenaline-pumping afternoon at Thrill Waterpark, or an adults-only getaway at Hideaway Beach, there's an activity for everyone.
However, keep an eye on the warning flags when swimming in the ocean. Red stands for "high hazard," and yellow indicates "medium hazard," with moderate surf and/or wind conditions. A green flag means there's "low hazard," so you'll encounter calm conditions, though you should still exercise caution.
If you see a purple flag, marine life has been spotted. This could mean sharks, jellyfish, or stingrays!
Read more: Your really dumb cruise line private island questions answered
Guests who decide to snorkel, even if they bring their own equipment and aren't on a cruise line-sponsored tour, must stay within the island's specified boundaries to ensure personal safety and protect the delicate marine ecosystem. There are plenty of places to explore, from South Beach to Chill Island and Harbor Beach.
The same goes for any private island, whether you're at Disney's Castaway Cay, Norweigan's Great Stirrup Cay, or Carnival's Half Moon Cay.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
