What to expect:

After analyzing your Nitrox tanks, the crew will load all your equipment onto the boat for you to set up for your first dive. The captain will give a boat safety briefing prior to leaving the dock. On the way to the first location the shark handler will give you a detailed briefing on shark diving procedures that will include the rules, location, profile and where you are to be during the dives. There is a maximum of 13 divers on the boat and everyone dives and stays together as one group. You will get a 15 minute warning to be ready to enter the water. If you are not ready in this time you may miss the dive so start gearing up early if you need extra time. All dives are drift dives so there is no decent line. It is critical that everyone enters the water and descends together in a timely manner so be sure of your buoyancy and weight needs.

Depending on conditions, this is typically how each dive goes:

Dive #1
A nice and relaxed pace drift dive (75′-85′) with reef with nice formations and ledges. On this dive you can see a variety of sharks, turtles, Goliath Grouper, lobster and many game fish and tropical’s. This dive is also used to spear fish for the second and third dives.  You will spend about 10-15 minutes near the bottom and the rest of the dive slowly ascending and enjoying the views.

Dives #2 and #3
These dives are usually on or near ship wrecks in 70′ to 80′ of water. You will have a little time to explore the wreck (no penetration) while the shark handler “calls” the sharks. Once the shark handler feels the sharks are in position he will call the divers to get in a position either on the sand or inside the rail of the wreck so that he can start feeding. It is not a shark feeding frenzy. A single piece of fish is  taken from the crate and fed to the sharks, one at a time. There is plenty of fish and plenty of sharks. You will have hundreds of photos opportunities so don’t waste your camera battery in the first 10 minutes of the dive. Often there will be more sharks towards the end of the dive. Time on the bottom is about 20 minutes followed by a nice slow ascent for another 20 minutes. The sharks will often follow the divers all the way to the surface.

Insider tips:

• The best place to be is in the water is just behind and a little above the shark feeder. The sharks know who has the food and they will concentrate in that area.
• Be familiar with your gear and know how much weight you need. It’s not the best time to be trying out new gear and computers. All eyes are on the sharks.
• Do not eat a large breakfast before diving, especially if you are prone to sea sickness. A bagel or muffin is good. There are pretzels, cookies, water and sodas provided free on the boat.
• If you are at all prone to sea sickness, take prevention (I find Bonine or Walmart’s Brand -Equate to work the best) the night before the dive and again at 7.30am the day of the dive.
• Lunch, for the humans, is served on the boat between dives 2 and 3.
• There is a marine head (toilet) on the boat should you need it and bathrooms at the dock for your use prior to departure.
• Selfies are not allowed underwater. You need to remain vigilant at all times. Make a plan with your buddy to take photos of each other instead.
• If using a digital camera, bring a back up battery.
• Stay compact and don’t wave your hands around. To the sharks it looks like you have food for them.
• If at any time you feel the dive is not for you then don’t get in the water. A smart diver knows their limitations and sticks to them.

And most importantly, let Jupiter Scuba bring your tanks and ANY other dive gear that you may need right to the dock for you. No need to lug tanks around, let us do the heavy lifting. You will find our service is first class.