There are umpteen opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the state of Florida.
These can range from scenic, relaxing experiences to thrilling, adrenaline-pumping activities.
However, if you want a truly electrifying, heart-pounding experience, you have to go shark watching in Florida.
Now, while shark watching will always get your heart racing, it can be done in various degrees of excitement.
You can go shark watching in Florida on a boat with experienced crew members. You can go cage diving to get up close and personal with the sharks. If you have the courage, you could also opt for scuba diving or freediving with the sharks.
Obviously, the latter two experiences are for thrill seekers while watching sharks from a boat is for all.
A quick note, although cage diving with sharks seems like a dangerous activity, it is actually quite safe. You also do not need any prior scuba diving experience for it.
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The best places in Florida for shark watching and diving
The coast of Florida is a shark lover’s haven. It has one of the highest populations of sharks in its waters for anywhere in the world.
There are several great places around the state to view numerous species of sharks.
The best places in Florida for shark viewing are South Florida, Jupiter in Southeast Florida and the islands of Florida Keys.
Considering the huge population and variety of sharks in Florida waters, you can easily go shark watching from anywhere in the state.
What types of sharks can you see in Florida?
One of the great things about the sharks of Florida is not just its huge numbers but its immense variety.
The varieties of sharks you can see in Florida are as follows. Do keep in mind the type of shark you may encounter can differ as per season or location.
- Bull Sharks
- Tiger Sharks
- Lemon Sharks
- Silky Sharks
- Dusky Sharks
- Black Tip Sharks
- Great Hammerhead Sharks
- Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
- Great White Sharks
- Spinner Sharks
- Nurse Sharks
- Reef Sharks
- Bonnethead Sharks
The above is not an exhaustive list and at the same time, viewing all of them is not a guarantee.
You are likely to see mainly lemon sharks or hammerhead sharks on most shark viewing trips.
Again, this is as per where you are in Florida, the time of year and chosen shark watching activity.
Why go shark watching in Florida?
For me, there are five main reasons why shark watching in Florida should be on your travel bucket list.
Abundance of Sharks
Florida has one of the highest shark populations not just in the United States but in the world.
The number of sharks you can see here is unmatched anywhere else.
Variety of sharks
It is not just about numbers but the different shark species you can find in Florida.
The coast of Florida has some of the most mature shark grounds that house several species of shark.
From the common to the rare, you will find it all. Very few places across the globe can boast of these many sharks, that too in such variety.
Choice of activity
In Florida, you can watch sharks in three ways.
You can watch from a boat, use a shark cage to go down in the water or free dive with experienced scuba divers.
The choice is yours. Select the activity you want for an unforgettable experience.
Plethora of outstanding marine life
When you go on shark viewing trips, you see so much more than these amazing creatures.
Florida waters have a plethora of incredible marine life. You can see a wide variety of sea turtles, dolphins, goliath grouper, manta rays and plenty of exotic Florida fish.
Experience of a lifetime
Watching these apex predators up close and personal in their natural habitat is such a unique experience.
The excitement that you feel as a shark gets closer cannot be explained.
You need to experience it for yourself. Once you do, there is nothing that will give you the same kind of exhilaration than a shark encounter.
The best shark watching, cage diving and free diving tours in Florida
I am giving below my top 5 shark watching tours in Florida.
These are the best ones that cover boat tours, shark dives and cage diving between them guaranteeing shark sightings.
Another thing, you don’t just see sharks in these tours. You will see an abundance of majestic sea life on your trip.
Key West Extreme Adventures Shark Tours
The shark tour provided by Key West Extreme Adventures is my most recommended tour due to several reasons.
First, you get to watch sharks from the comfort of an awesome 34-foot catamaran called the Tiger Cat.
Second, this shark tour is perfect for people of all ages including children and older folks. If this your first time going on a shark cruise in Florida, this is the ideal tour for you.
Third, you get an experienced crew who knows Florida’s waters like the back of their hands. The cruise goes through both the shallow waters of Key West National Wildlife Refuge and the open ocean.
This results in viewing not just sharks, but also some of the finest Florida ocean life including dolphins and turtles.
Fourth and the most important reason to be on this tour, is the shark action on display.
You will see plenty of sharks and I do emphasize on the word, plenty.
As the catamaran gets near the fertile shark grounds, bait lines are set to attract sharks near the boat.
The result is a frenzy of sharks getting incredibly close to the boat while you enjoy the action.
I do feel this is the best way to watch sharks in Florida this closely without getting your hair wet.
As an added bonus, non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and use of polaroid sunglasses are included in your ticket price.
Overall, the shark tour lasts for about 2 hours. It starts from the Opal Key Resort & Marina, Pier B at Key West.
Cost of tickets at the moment are $89 for adults, $49 for children up to age 16. Kids up to 5 years of age are completely free of cost.
Florida Shark Diving
Florida Shark Diving is located in Jupiter, Palm Beach.
For those seeking the thrill of shark cage diving or scuba diving, Florida Shark Diving offers brilliant options.
To begin with, the coast of Palm Beach has one of the highest density of sharks in Florida.
You are taken about 3 miles from the coast to the most fertile shark grounds where an incredible adventure awaits.
What I particularly like about Florida Shark Diving is that they offer all three options.
You can free swim with sharks, opt for cage diving or charter a boat for shark viewing.
I must say, the shark swim tour is a great option if you want to really feel the adrenaline rush.
Both cage diving and shark diving will get your heart pounding.
If you want to get as close as possible to the sharks but still maintain a safe distance, then I suggest the charter service.
With your own boat and experienced crew, it is basically a private tour for your small group.
Another thing I like is that you do not need to have scuba diving experience for cage diving.
All equipment and a quick demo are provided by Florida Shark Diving.
The current costs for the shark diving tour starts at $195 per person. There are multiple trips offered every day of the week.
Shark Tours Florida
Based at Riviera Beach, Shark Tours Florida offers a fantastic ‘Swimming with Sharks Tour’ off the coast of Palm Beach.
As the tour name suggests, you have the ability to swim with sharks in the open ocean.
People of all ages are welcome on this tour. You have to be 12 years of age and above to get into the water. Younger guests can stay on board and watch all the shark action.
As mentioned already, Jupiter and the coast of Palm Beach is teeming with sharks.
Depending on the season, you could see up to 10 species of sharks here.
Each trip can take up to 6 people and costs $159 per person. The costs are the same regardless of whether you dive or stay on the boat.
I feel this is a good value for money service for the kind of shark swim experience they provide.
The total duration of the trip is about 3.5 hours including the time taken to go to the dive site.
You get 1.5 hours in the open water with the sharks. Trip timings are 9 am and 1 pm all days of the week.
Keys Shark Diving
Keys Shark Diving offers both shark diving trips and shark viewing trips.
They are centrally located in Florida Keys providing both half day and full day trips.
Starting with shark viewing trips, these are perfect for those who do not want to get in the water.
The tour lasts about 4 hours and takes place a few miles off the coast. Even though you are on the boat, you do get the complete shark experience.
Crew members are both knowledgeable and experienced to attract plenty of sharks near the boat.
They set bait lines that can be tested by the guests to comprehend the enormous force used by sharks.
I like that along with sharks, you often get to see other marine life like sting rays, turtles and dolphins.
Coming to the shark diving trips, they are a full day tour and take place in deeper waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
This is where you get to dive into the water to get really close to the sharks.
Note, the shark diving trips are cage diving and you do not need prior scuba experience.
Needless to say, this is the more thrilling of the two trips with the sharks coming right next to you.
Both trips are open for booking throughout the year. Shark viewing trips cost $95 per person while shark diving trips cost $195 per person.
Miami Shark Tours
Miami Shark Tours offers shark viewing trips, cage diving and free swim trips.
Packages and costs are pretty much the same as the other shark diving tours in Florida.
You will like their 36-foot diving boat that has been built to take on any oceanic conditions.
Shark viewing trips are half day and take place just off the Atlantic coast in the waters of Biscayne Bay.
During shark viewing, you are needed to stay onboard and there is no swimming allowed.
You can however, have fun with the bait lines and get quite an interactive experience.
Shark diving trips are for a longer duration and take you further into deep waters.
One thing to note, the shark diving trips are mainly cage diving that can be done by all.
For those experienced and much more comfortable swimming in the ocean, can opt for free diving as well.
All activities can be booked all year round. Shark viewings trips cost $95 per person and shark diving trips cost $195 per person.
Points to note about shark watching, cage diving and free diving in Florida
1) Florida waters are always quite clear and at a comfortable temperature. Hence you can book trips throughout the year.
2) If you want to go in the water, do ask prior to booking regarding the dive timings. Some provide a 20-minute dive while others provide 45 minutes to 1 hour at a time.
3) The shark viewing trips are family friendly and for people of all ages. In general, it is a good idea to carry an extra pair of clothes just in case you get wet.
4) Do look out for other marine life such as dolphins, turtles, manta rays and an abundance of amazing fish.
They can mainly be seen on shark viewing trips but may disappear if the sharks are close.
5) You do not need prior experience of any kind for shark cage diving in Florida. You just need a strong heart.
Having said that, for free swim or free diving with sharks, experience is necessary.
6) You will see plenty of sharks and a variety of shark species during your trip. Please do respect these majestic creatures at all times and be aware of your surroundings.
7) To make your trip even more memorable, do enquire for photo and videography packages especially if you are shark diving.
You may also like to read:
3 Most Captivating Tours for Whale Watching in Gloucester MA
Your Guide to the Best Place to Swim with Dolphins in Cancun
Final thoughts
Florida is by far one of the best places in the world for viewing sharks.
Perfect weather conditions, temperature, currents and location attracts sharks in droves.
It is tough to find better, more fertile and mature shark grounds anywhere else. Almost all shark species are found here and that too in huge numbers.
Therefore, you absolutely must experience shark watching in Florida at least once in your lifetime.
Regardless of your preference for shark watching from a boat, cage diving or free diving, the thrill of coming close to a shark is simply electrifying.
