The warm, clear waters off the coast of Jupiter (Florida) are among the best shark diving spots in the USA. Here, you can observe an impressive variety of shark species – from harmless nurse sharks to majestic tiger sharks. The Jupiter Dive Center offers experienced divers exactly this adventure: professionally guided shark dives in Florida's vibrant underwater world. The warm currents of the Gulf Stream passing by the steep slopes near Jupiter create perfect conditions for tropical reefs, wrecks, and large marine creatures.
General Information About the Jupiter Dive Center
The Jupiter Dive Center is located directly on the coast of Jupiter (Palm Beach County, Florida) and is a PADI 5-star dive center as well as a SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer. Two spacious 40-foot dive boats (Republic IV and VII) depart directly from the shop, making it easy for divers to reach nearby reefs and wrecks. The center is a full-service dive base: in addition to daily rental equipment, professional dive instructors offer a complete range of courses – from Open Water Diver to Assistant Instructor. Technical divers are also supported, with Nitrox and even Trimix fills, as well as technical expertise and rebreather support.
The dive center conducts boat tours several times daily, usually with two dives in the morning and afternoon, and often three dives on weekends – ideal for ambitious day trips. The tours lead to tropical reefs and wrecks inhabited by rich marine life and large fish. “Gary,” a legendary Goliath grouper, is a regular visitor to the reefs off Jupiter. The shop also offers equipment sales and rentals, certifications for vacation divers, and accommodation packages in cooperation with local hotels. Facilities include an air-conditioned training room as well as a service area for equipment maintenance, tank fills, and repairs. Overall, the Jupiter Dive Center offers experienced divers top-quality gear and comprehensive support for unforgettable diving experiences.
Diving with Sharks in Jupiter
The highlight of the offerings at the Jupiter Dive Center is shark diving in the waters off Jupiter. Various shark species appear here year-round or seasonally. The most common species include nurse sharks, tiger sharks, sand tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, bull sharks, and hammerhead sharks. In winter (December to March), spectacular schools of nurse sharks gather off Jupiter; divers can simultaneously observe hundreds of lemon and blacktip sharks – up to 60 animals at once. These sharks, often 3–4 meters long, follow the food brought by the Gulf Stream. During this time, the dive center organizes special tours to the lemon sharks with drift dives at deep reefs (about 20–30 meters), where divers can experience the calm and relaxed nature of the sharks up close.
In spring (especially in May), the Gulf Stream brings tiger sharks (including the famous tagged “Jenny”) as well as occasional large hammerhead sharks to the area. Divers may be lucky enough to see tiger sharks over 3 meters long. Large schools of blacktip and bull sharks also overwinter here; scientists count thousands of blacktip sharks on sandy bottoms between the reefs.
The shark dives are conducted professionally and safely: guides strictly adhere to proven diving rules (buddy system, safety stops, surface intervals). Mostly passive observation is practiced – meaning the sharks are not actively attracted with bait but observed in their natural habitat. This gentle approach is shark-friendly and allows for a relaxed diving experience. Water temperatures in winter are around 24 °C, so 5–7 mm wetsuits with hoods and gloves are sufficient. Dive sites are usually at depths of 20–30 meters, with occasional deeper dives along the continental slope. Due to the depth and occasional currents, shark diving is only suitable for experienced divers (ideally Advanced Open Water Diver or higher).
Typical shark charters depart in the morning or afternoon from the Jupiter Dive Center. After a detailed briefing about the dive site and safety rules, it’s 30 to 60 minutes out to sea. Two to three dives are usually conducted as drift dives along the reef edge, each lasting about 40–60 minutes. Underwater, divers experience exciting encounters with sharks, manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and large fish. The current gently carries the divers, allowing them to calmly observe the curious sharks. The guides recommend keeping the camera ready to capture impressive close-ups of the sharks.
