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.