Are there sharks in the BVI waters?

Yes, there are sharks in the BVI waters — Caribbean reef sharks, lemon sharks, and the occasional nurse shark cruising the reefs — but they’re not the threat people imagine. They’re shy, well-fed, and unbothered by snorkelers. The International Shark Attack File has recorded essentially zero unprovoked incidents in the BVI in modern record-keeping. The bigger marine hazards on a charter are sea urchins on rocky entries and the occasional fire coral — both of which a quick crew briefing covers on day one. If you actually want to see a shark, ask the captain; certain dive sites at Anegada and Norman Island reliably produce sightings. BVI captains brief every group before the first swim.