Shark Diving Jupiter!

The Best Shark Diving in Florida

So, you want to go Shark Diving in Florida? One incredible place for shark diving is not Disney World or the Florida Keys, but the small town of Jupiter, Florida.

The southeast coast of Florida has deep, typically clear waters with terrific visibility. Due to the proximity of the coast to the gulf stream there are an abundance of different shark species that live and/or migrate through the east coast of FL.

Shark diving Jupiter is a life-changing experience for any SCUBA diver! It took me seven years to build up the courage to go shark diving. I now go several times a year and regret that I didn’t try it sooner.

Article Summary

1. Jupiter Florida Shark Diving
2. Shark Diving with Emerald Charters
3. Is Diving with Sharks Dangerous?
4. Shark Diving Safety Tips
5. Local Food and Hotel Recommendations
6. A Few Last Things You Need to Know

1. Jupiter Florida Shark Diving

Jupiter is located just north of the city of Palm Beach. It is popular for the diversity of shark species found in the area.

Shark species regularly sighted include nurse, blacktip, reef, lemon, sand tiger, bull, hammerhead, & tiger sharks,

Not typically seen, but whale sharks and great white sharks are occasionally sighted (this always seems to happen the week before my shark dive!).

Some shark species migrate through Jupiter at different times of the year.
From December to March, the annual Florida East Coast lemon shark aggregation is a must-see for divers. Witness up to 50 lemon sharks together, some reaching sizes of 10 to 13 feet. Pack your wetsuit, this is a truly unique diving experience.

May is known for migrating tiger sharks (not to be confused with sand tiger sharks). A few of these tiger sharks are well known in the area because they migrate here every year.

Jenny is the most famous (and loved) Jupiter tiger shark. She is a social shark and has been showing up at shark dives in the Jupiter area for over a decade.

One of my favorite dive memories was meeting Jenny the tiger shark

Near the end of our last dive, I spotted a shark in the distance. The shark kept swimming straight at me, like something out of a movie, until she bumped into me and turned. I had no idea this 14-foot shark was Jenny until we surfaced at the end of our dive and the other divers cheered Jenny’s name.

I was transfixed like a “deer in the headlights”. My only thought was that is a seriously large shark! If you want to see the video of Jenny swimming straight into me, check out my Instagram and/or TikTok @reesehwanderwild. The video title is “3 Things You Don’t Know About Tiger Sharks”

Reasons for the large variety in shark species are the gulf stream and the water depth close to shore. The Florida east coast shoreline can range from 100 feet to 1000 feet deep, unlike the shallower Gulf Coast side of Florida.

Shark diving typically takes place in deeper water, so you need to be comfortable diving between 60 to 100 feet.

Because of the depth and the potential for strong currents (especially on the east coast of FL), shark dives are typically only recommended for experienced SCUBA divers.

Shark dives typically last 30-60 minutes each.

You may need to purchase some specialized gear for shark diving.

Recommendations for Finding a Reputable Dive Operation

Choose a dive shop known for emphasizing safety over profit. For example, not allowing beginner divers (that typically lack buoyancy control) to go shark diving with their operation.

Call a few local dive shops and ask for recommendations. If you hear the same name come up several times, that’s the operator/shop you want to go with.

A good dive operator/shop has safety procedures in place to avoid shark issues in the first place.

2. Shark Diving with Emerald Charters, Jupiter FL

I recommend shark diving with Emerald Charters, in Jupiter Florida. Their business is based on “word of mouth” referrals. Emerald specializes in shark diving, and it is the only type of diving they offer.

They use fish to “chum” the water and attract sharks.

The owner Randy is a local legend (or character depending on who you talk to) and has been in the shark diving business for decades.

Currently, Emerald Charters has a few different divemasters. All have years of shark diving experience and enforce a strict safety policy.

If you don’t follow the boat rules, you don’t dive. Divers are required to wear all black- this includes dive accessories such as a skull cap, fins, and gloves.

The rules are strict but allow Emerald Charters to offer amazing shark diving trips. You get to experience these amazing sharks up close and personal!

You may see one shark or 50. I’ve been on at least 9 different shark dives with Emerald and had both experiences.

The sharks will show up at different times during the dive. Jenny (the tiger shark) showed up at the end of our last dive, right before we were about to return to the boat.

Another one of my favorite memories was watching a 300 lb. loggerhead turtle scare off 3 sharks to get to the chum bucket (actually a crate).

Additionally, I love when the lemon sharks show up. Lemons are like being with a group of puppies and have no respect for personal space!

All Emerald Charters dives follow the same format.

The boat leaves from a public pier in Jupiter, parking is available on-site.

The fee includes three dives (weather permitting) in open water and/or on a wreck (depending on water conditions).

All divers are required to get in and out of the water as close as possible together.

All divers are always required to stay above and behind the divemaster, which can get tricky at times because the divemaster is circling with the sharks in the water.

Divers must bring three full tanks of air with them (nitrox preferred) or can rent them from Jupiter Scuba. This company will deliver and pick them up from the boat dock (I do this now, it’s just easier when you have 3-4 divers in a car). Jupiter Scuba also rents dive gear.

3. Is Diving with Sharks Dangerous?

Sharks are wild animals. Although shark dives are typically safe, there is always a small risk involved.

In my diving experience, sharks want nothing to do with us. They are easily scared off & will quickly turn and swim away.

Once, I paid $200.00 to go on a special bull shark dive in Costa Rica. The sharks got scared off by our SCUBA bubbles. Didn’t see one dang bull shark or otherwise, except maybe a few distant shadows.

We are not a part of the ocean food web. In general, sharks do not like the taste of us.

Typically, they will go in for an exploratory bite and then leave when they realize we are not a tasty seal or sea turtle. Very few human deaths are caused by sharks worldwide (usually less than 10 a year).

Surfers are a shark target. Floating on the top of the water, with arms and legs dangling off the sides of surfboards – from a shark’s perspective – mimics the shape of a seal or sea turtle.

SCUBA divers that spearfish can also have more frequent shark encounters.

Sharks are opportunistic & intelligent. They understand the sound of a speargun going off and will swim over to see if they can get a free meal.

4. Shark Diving Safety Tips

Don’t wear shiny jewelry or objects that could reflect light and attract sharks.

Wear dark clothing, head cap, fins, and gloves – sharks can see contrasting colors, especially yellow (Hence the SCUBA phrase “yum-yum yellow”),

Stay close to your group. Don’t touch or harass the sharks.

Stay still and avoid making sudden movements – this will scare off the sharks.

Check your ego. Regardless of your SCUBA experience, listen and follow your dive operator’s instructions.

Don’t get excited and start chasing down the sharks with your camera or GoPro. You will scare off the sharks and piss off the other divers on the boat.

Lastly, be careful not to get separated from your group. It’s easy to become overly focused on taking photos of the sharks and not paying attention to what the group is doing.

5. Local Food and Hotel Recommendations

I am a budget SCUBA Diver.

However, on the southeast coast of Florida, it can be difficult to find budget hotels.

Know your hotel’s cancellation policy, since dives can get cancelled last minute due to bad weather.

I almost always stay at the Super 8 Hotel in North Palm Beach. The address is 757 US 1, North Palm Beach FL. The phone number is (561) 899-6490.

It’s not fancy – but it is clean, in a good location, and has reasonable prices. Their “free” breakfast is still a “covid to go bag” so I bring my own.  

However, the biggest benefit this property has to offer is its’ excellent cancellation policy (24 hours before).

The Draft House restaurant is within walking distance. I eat here almost every time I stay at the Super 8.

Draft House is within walking distance, rarely has a wait, and has good burgers and tacos. Plus, they can accommodate larger groups.

Across the street from Draft House is a Mexican restaurant. I have only eaten there once but the tacos were good.

I prefer to stay at the Jupiter Waterfront Inn, but they book up quicker and have a stricter cancellation policy.

The Jupiter Waterfront Inn address is 18903 Southeast Federal Highway, Jupiter, FL 33469. Their phone number is (561) 747- 9085.

Restaurants in the area can be underwhelming, overpriced, or have long wait times.

For cheap eating, I find a Publix Grocery Store. Publix is a Florida grocery store chain, with a deli that has good quality food.

Almost always, I will search for a nearby Cuban Bakery. They are plentiful in the area.

You can’t go wrong with a Cuban sandwich in Florida. Plus, the coffee and guava pastries are delicious too.

6. A Few Last Things You Need to Know

So, if you want to see a variety of shark species up close, shark diving in Jupiter Florida is the place for you!

However, it’s important to keep in perspective that you are diving in a natural ocean habitat.

Sharks do not always show up on command.

If I see one shark, I consider my dive a success. Any more sharks that show up are a bonus. Keep this tip in mind and you won’t be disappointed.

I promise it will be an experience you will never forget!