Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Some folks have been asking for more info on what to expect in the sea on Vorovoro – so here is the text from a sign I made for the island.

How to Avoid Danger in the Sea

• Don’t snorkel with large silver jewelry (watches, necklaces) the silver in the sun looks just like a small fish that sharks or barracuda might prey upon

• Be careful when spearfishing, swimming around with an injured fish will attract predators, calmly bring it to the boat or shore soon unless you are a practiced spearfisher

• Sea snakes are fairly docile, don’t corner them or try to pick them up and you should have no problems, they breathe air – so don’t be surprised when they surface near you when you are snorkeling

• Sharks may seem scary, and while they obviously are an animal to take seriously, usually they do not pose a threat. They key is just to not provoke them (chase them or corner them) and not to be too close to their food – injured fish from spearfishing, or a big school of fish they may prey upon. Sharks will only bite if they take you to be a threat or to be food, if you avoid these two things you should be find around them. Furthermore, sharks feed at dawn and dusk; as do many other fishes, avoid swimming at these times. The exact same rules apply for large predatory fishes – barracuda, triggerfish, etc.

• If you see a fish staying very close to some coral, especially a triggerfish, stay away as they may be guarding a nest – and these fish will defend the nest when you come near as they think you are a big predator, and they do have quite a bite!

• Not all jellyfish sting. The moon jelly (left) is a totally harmless type around the island. Other types (often with bright colors) can sting, so avoid touching them. Only the tentacles hanging down sting, the top part (the bell) doesn’t sting – so if you have to pick one up out of a net or out of a boat touch only this top part (protect your hands with a cloth if possible just in case).

• To avoid surprising fish – over sand or seagrass shuffle your feet to churn up the bottom a bit to let fish (especially stingrays) know that you are walking through. They don’t want to be in your way, and this will avoid an encounter.

• Some corals can sting, it doesn’t hurt too much, and the real risk is probably avoiding an infection later on – to avoid this problem make sure to wear a thin protective layer when diving or snorkeling near coral and try to avoid touching the coral at all. This is especially true for feet as well – wear reef shoes at all times when walking out at low tide for a swim.