Swimming
Pools: There are not many. Some are within hotel complexes. Mainly for use by those staying at those facilities.
Wherever you are, don’t forget they don’t have the safety precautions we have in Britain. In the UK the HSE advise that anyone having had diarrhoea should not go into a swimming pool for14days, can't see this happening when people are only on holiday for 1/2 weeks, but at least take precautions i.e. people should shower before going into the pool. Any children under 6months with diarrhoea should not go in the swimming pool, this will help prevent the spread of Cryptosporidium and infect other bathers. If an incident does occur, please alert the management of the pool, who should take appropriate action in treating the pool. Obviously, this situation can arise in any pool around the world, and not everyone is going to read this information!
Swimming in Sea: June 06 - The waves can knock you off balance, be careful with small children. There are not any life guards on the beaches in the main part of Santa Maria. There is also a slight current. I did notice some lifeguard chairs on the beach outside one of the hotels further up the beach, I didn't walk up there in the day so don't know if the post was manned by a lifeguard, or whether it would be between certain times of the day. The main swimming area is along Santa Maria beach. It is not safe to swim in the sea on the east coast along Shark Bay.
November 06: Someone had previously contacted me to ask me if it was safe for children swimming in the sea. There has been a change in the weather recently and it’s the first time I have seen some of the bigger waves. I would advise that it is not 100% safe for children and some adults to go into the sea unsupervised. You will have to make your own judgement call on this while you are here as there is little if no lifeguard supervision on the beaches at the moment.
Sharks: Some reef sharks have been seen in the waters around the islands. I understand that there have been no reported attacks.
Snorkling is popular when the ocean is calm, but take a buddy snorkler with you and make sure you can be seen by jet ski riders and fishing boats.
Also read the article on 'Beaches'.
