The Truth About Diving with Sharks

A reef shark glides by as I try to get the shot.

 A frequent question I receive when people find out I work for a dive operation in Jupiter, FL is: “do you all do shark dives?!” And my favorite response: “yes of course. All dives in Jupiter are shark dives!” 

While there is never any guarantee of what we will see underwater, it is a safe assumption that when you come to dive in Jupiter, there will be sharks in the water. Even if you can’t always see them - perhaps due to less-than-ideal visibility or stong currents moving you along too quickly - rest assured, we have sharks. This is particularly true this time of year, in Jan and Feb, as lemon sharks have been well documented as migrating through our waters.

A lucky shot as a reef shark passes overhead.

Now I know when people ask about the dedicated shark dives they are conjuring up images of the famous Snooty the lemon shark (if you haven’t seen her smile it’s worth a google search), coming in for her close up in front of their mask. Or perhaps they are fearfully imagining a great white doing a dramatic swim-by, jaws gaping open and the hum of a certain theme song entering the back of their mind. Dun dun, dun dun, dun dun . . . we should only be so lucky!

In reality, doing a drift dive here while looking for sharks - namely the Lemon Drop dives we do this time of year - are a little less eventful and truthfully more relaxing than one might think. While some sharks may be more curious than others, most will typically keep their distance. They are not interested in eating us, they are not interested in posing for photos, they are truly only interested in a diver if you are doing one of 2 things: spearfishing or actively feeding them. They are interested in an easy meal - who wouldn’t be?

A Bahamas reef shark with a hook in the side of its mouth. Many arguments can be made for the advocacy of baited shark dives, but one unfortunate side effect is the intersection between sharks and fisherman.

While those hunting on our boats have undoubtedly had some close-calls while competing with these apex predators for their next meal, our typical shark interactions tend to be more relaxed. That is because we do not bait in sharks; rather, we find enjoyment in observing them naturally go about their own shark-business undisturbed, in their home. This is definitely my preference for observing these amazing animals.

So while we may not have the heart-pounding, in-your-face thrills of a baited shark dive, the act of just peacefully observing the natural behavior of sharks is satisfying enough for me. Sharks are powerful, intelligent and beautiful. Being with them in the water heightens your senses and forces your full presence of attention. It is nothing short of mesmerizing. 

Oftentimes sharks won’t come close enough for me to get “the shot.” Realizing the limitations of my strobes, I will usually put down my camera for a bit and just watch as they gracefully move through the water. As much as I want to have more sharks in my portfolio, for now I am just enjoying the show. 

A beautiful lemon shark glides by during a winter dive in Jupiter, FL.

Have you been out with us for a lemon shark dive yet? Hurry, the migration moves on at the end of winter . . . 

Safe Diving, 

Grace