Key Aspects:
- A Carnival cruise guest expressed concerns about potential shark attacks while swimming in the ocean at the newly opened Celebration Key.
- Brand Ambassador John Heald and the data both confirm that shark attacks are extremely unlikely.
- If guests are still nervous, there are plenty of ways to participate in water-filled fun at Celebration Key that don’t involve swimming in the ocean.
With Discovery Channel’s annual “Shark Week” about to kick off on July 20, 2025, sharks are swimming into some cruisers’ minds.
This has some Carnival fans wondering if sharks might be enjoying Celebration Key right along with them, potentially putting their safety at risk.
As of July 19, 2025, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private island destination is officially open on the southern coast of Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas.
“Have you ever seen sharks when cruising to the Caribbean? I mean not from the boat but in the sea, where people go swimming and where people go snorkeling,” a concerned parent asked Brand Ambassador John Heald.
They inquired on his Facebook page: “Somebody told me that Celebration Key is in the same place where there are lots of sharks. I will be going there on Conquest with my two children. Is it going to be safe to swim?”
It’s true that Grand Bahama is famous for its sharks, particularly around an area called Tiger Beach, which is about 20 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama’s West End.
Tiger Beach is known for its tiger shark population (hence the name), which have been known to be aggressive toward humans. Even so, shark attacks are not common.
“Celebration Key is part of Grand Bahama. There’s no concerns with sharks that I have seen reported by our guests or onboard teams,” Heald confirmed.
Some lucky guests from Carnival Vista already got to preview the island experience – and go swimming with no complaints – on July 12.
“I can definitely say there will be no sharks tomorrow or throughout next week because all the sharks are appearing on National Geographic because it’s shark week,” Heald then quipped.
Believe it or not, Carnival will actually be offering a “glass bottom boat & shark experience” at Celebration Key, which costs $79.99 per adult and $69.99 per child.
As part of the shore excursion, guests will visit the world famous “Shark Junction,” where sharks congregate and have been hand-fed by humans for decades.
How Common are Shark Attacks in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas ranks ninth globally for the most number of shark attacks, but this ranking makes the situation feel a lot more dire than it is.
In reality, shark attacks are extremely rare. Only 34 total shark attacks have been recorded for all of the Bahamas since 1580, which is a period of over 440 years.
The most recent shark attack impacting a cruise guest was in January of 2024, and it wasn’t at Grand Bahama Island.
The incident actually unfolded at a popular shark experience at Blue Adventures by Stuart Cove, where a 10-year-old boy was bitten while swimming in the shark tank. The child was thankfully expected to make a full recovery.
Read Also: Are Cruises Safe? What You Really Need to Know
While Carnival guests are unlikely to encounter a shark, it’s also not unheard of for sharks to swim around people.
Lots of activity and splashing can attract the animals because they are naturally curious creatures.
However, most sharks do not perceive people as prey, which is part of why attacks are so rare.
If the parent who wrote to Heald is too freaked out, they may also prefer to swim in Celebration Key’s Starfish Lagoon or Calypso Lagoon, which are both large, freshwater pools, where the absence of sharks is guaranteed.
Starfish Lagoon is geared toward family friendly fun, while Calypso Lagoon is designed just for adults.
They could also get their fill of thrills with the 340-acre destination’s two dueling water slides.
Alternately, the family could choose activities like renting kayaks or jet skis, so they are never fully submerged in the ocean.
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