Our First Bull Shark and Lemon Shark Dive with Emerald Charters
There is a first time for everything.
I always knew shark diving would eventually end up on our dive list. So when my dive buddy and daughter, Danielle, told me she wanted to plan a shark diving weekend near Jupiter, two thoughts immediately crossed my mind:
- Okay… is this how it ends for me?
- January diving in Florida could be freezing.
We had talked to enough divers about their shark diving experiences to know it was considered safe when done with experienced operators. Most divers rave about the experience.
Still… it’s hard to completely silence those dark “what if” thoughts when you’re voluntarily jumping into the ocean with apex predators.
So I pushed those thoughts aside and told Danielle to book the trip.
🌊 The Plan for Our Shark Diving Weekend
On January 14th, we headed three hours south toward Jupiter for a weekend of diving.
Our schedule looked like this:
- Saturday: Two-tank drift dive with Kyalami Scuba Club
- Sunday: Three-tank shark dive with Emerald Charters
Unfortunately, Florida weather had other plans.
A strong cold front rolled through Friday night, dropping temperatures into the 30s with strong winds and daytime highs only in the 50s. The Saturday dive was canceled due to unsafe conditions.
Instead, we spent the day:
- freezing at the Stuart Boat Show
- visiting my brother and his family nearby
Thankfully, Sunday’s shark dive was still on.
🚤 Shark Diving Day Begins
We arrived in Jupiter at 8:00 a.m. and checked in with the Emerald Charters crew.
The process was smooth and professional:
- Nitrox tanks were analyzed
- Maximum operating depths (MODs) were programmed into our dive computers
- Waivers were completed quickly
Next came the gear inspection.
Shark diving has strict equipment rules designed to prevent attracting unnecessary attention. Divers are required to avoid colors that resemble fish flash signals.
That meant no bright whites, yellows, or light blues.
We were also required to wear:
- gloves
- hoods
- full exposure protection with no exposed skin
Thankfully, my BCD’s orange highlights and Danielle’s turquoise fins passed inspection.
Nine divers — including one couple who had flown all the way from Prague — gathered together, trying to stay warm in the sunlight while the crew loaded the boat.
The temperature was 40°F.
We were dressed more for skiing than scuba diving.
🌊 Heading Out into the Atlantic
As we left the Jupiter inlet, the captain navigated through rolling 9-foot swells.
While the conditions were rough, we stayed busy assembling gear and squeezing into our wetsuits.
Danielle and I wore Under Armour thermal layers under our wetsuits, which turned out to be a lifesaver in the cold wind.
Soon the dive master gathered us for a briefing.
He had been conducting shark dives for over 20 years and explained the plan for our three dives:
1️⃣ Descend to about 80 feet
2️⃣ Use chum and sound signals to attract sharks
3️⃣ Slowly ascend as the sharks followed us upward
🦈 Dive One: Bull Sharks and a Surprise Visitor
Our first dive started with poor visibility, forcing us to abort and relocate.
Ten minutes later we dropped again — this time with much better conditions.
At 80 feet, we formed a tight group just behind the dive master as he began chumming the water and calling the sharks.
For several minutes… nothing.
Then suddenly, the first bull shark appeared out of the blue.
Soon there were three.
They swam calmly around the dive master as he offered pieces of fish, gliding past our group with slow, powerful movements.
More sharks began arriving.
As we slowly ascended toward 40 feet, the feeding continued.
Then something incredible happened.
A massive 14-foot hammerhead shark appeared briefly in the distance.
The group buzzed with excitement.
Unfortunately… I missed it.
⚠️ Danielle’s Ear Injury
Back on the boat, we switched tanks and used the warm water in our wetsuits to fight the cold.
That’s when Danielle realized something was wrong.
She had suffered a small eardrum rupture, which caused air to escape whenever she exhaled.
Having experienced this before, she knew she shouldn’t continue diving and decided to sit out the remaining dives.
It was disappointing — but the right call for safety.
🦈 Dive Two: Bull Sharks and Lemon Sharks
The second dive took us to 60–70 feet, where visibility was even better.
Something unusual happened first.
Hundreds of small crabs began crawling across the sand toward us, drawn in by the chum. It looked surreal — an entire army of crabs marching across the ocean floor.
Then the sharks arrived again.
First the bull sharks.
Then the lemon sharks.
They circled our group calmly, occasionally passing just inches away.
At one point, a lemon shark swam between my legs, completely unconcerned with my presence.
I was busy photographing everything with Danielle’s camera — reminding myself constantly:
Dive first. Photograph second.
The sharks followed us during our ascent, staying close as we completed our safety stop.
🦈 Dive Three: Surrounded by Lemon Sharks
For the final dive we moved closer to shore into 40–50 feet of water.
The dive master had warned us the lemon sharks here would be more “enthusiastic.”
He was right.
Almost immediately, three lemon sharks appeared and began nudging the dive master for food.
Within minutes more arrived.
At one point twelve lemon sharks surrounded our group, approaching from every direction.
This was the moment I had secretly worried about.
But instead of panic, something interesting happened.
When the sharks swam directly toward me, I simply looked them in the eye.
Each time, they calmly veered away.
Meanwhile the dive master was gently pushing sharks away from his lap while they tried to grab food.
A pesky remora fish kept hovering around his face, adding a little comic relief to the situation.
🦈 Sharks on the Surface
As we surfaced, the lemon sharks followed us all the way to the top.
Danielle captured incredible video from the boat showing the sharks circling around the dive buoy behind us.
I was so mesmerized by the sharks still swimming around that I didn’t even realize most of the other divers had already climbed back aboard.
It was an unforgettable moment.
🌊 Reflections on Our First Shark Dive
Despite the freezing weather and Danielle’s ear injury, the experience was incredible.
We saw:
- Bull sharks
- Lemon sharks
- A hammerhead (briefly!)
And learned that shark diving is far more peaceful than people imagine.
The sharks were curious — but never aggressive.
They simply behaved like any other large fish moving through their environment.
🧭 Tips for First-Time Shark Divers
If you’re considering shark diving, here are a few takeaways from our experience:
- Don’t be afraid — shark dives are extremely controlled and safe with experienced operators.
- Consider warmer months if you get cold easily.
- Wear full exposure protection (hood, gloves, wetsuit).
- Bring a camera — you’ll want photos.
- And don’t forget to tip the crew and dive master.
We highly recommend Emerald Charters in Jupiter. Their crew was professional, experienced, and safety-focused.
We’re already planning to return in April, when more hammerhead sharks migrate through the area.
I can’t believe I’m saying that…
…but I can’t wait to dive with sharks again.
Danielle and I did return again in May of 2023 to dive with the sharks again during hammerhead season. Read about our adventure in warmer waters.
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