Shark Reef

Shark Reef is a snorkeling adventure with sharks for big kids, teens and adults at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Enter a captivating underwater world and see some incredible saltwater sea life up-close. Swim freely with leopard and bonnethead sharks, stingrays and schools of colorful tropical fish in this fascinating coral reef environment. The reef surrounds an overturned sunken tanker. Less adventurous Guests, or anyone who just wants to get a spectacular view of the sharks without getting wet, can enter the tanker and view the undersea creatures through the portholes.

You glide on the surface, using a mask and snorkel so you can see and breathe (provided at no charge) freely with different small sharks, stingrays and different species of fish. The reef is salt water and is 10 feet deep.

Attractions

Shark Reef - Hosted by NAUI, snorkel through an unheated, saltwater reef populated with stingrays, bonnethead, leopard sharks and tropical fish.

Sunken Tanker - Underwater viewing area of the reefs. Viewing provided through tankers portholes.

S.A.S Adventure - A 30-minute "Surface Air Snorkeling" experience. Using a "pony" tank, a small regulator, and a buoyancy vest experience the "Shark Reef" in a different way (additional cost). All participants must be at least 5 years of age.

Hammer Head Fred's Dive Shop - Snorkels, masks, lifejackets and unheated showers provided.

Touring Tips

• Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
• All the equipment you need to swim in the Shark Reef tank including snorkels, masks and lifejackets is provided at no additional charge.
• 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 additional charge.
• Basic swimming skills are recommended, but life vests are provided for those who wish to use them.
• For those who do not want to get wet, or for those who do not want to get into the water with sharks and stingrays, there is an underwater viewing area in the form of a sunken tanker. You can enter at the surface and go down and look out of the windows to see under the water, while staying totally dry.
• The water is chilly and salty to the taste, but you are able to shower afterwards.
• Any time of year that the park is open is a good time to visit, but it does get very hot and very crowded during the summer peak season. There are two better times to arrive, shortly before the park opens, and in the warmer months when the park is open at night, its best to get there mid to late afternoon. If you want to go for the morning/early afternoon, it is essential to arrive by park opening time, particularly in the warmer months.
• Weekdays, the nearer to the beginning of the week the better. Later in the week, Typhoon Lagoon attracts the people who typically spend the beginning of the week at the major parks. Local residents tend to keep things busy on the weekends.

Facts

• The water in this attraction is cold for Florida, it is kept around 70-72 degrees.
• Highly trained and qualified lifeguards are on duty over the course of the day patrolling the Water Park. All Disney lifeguards must complete a thorough training program that exceeds most national standards.