Jupiter, Florida, United States

Lemon Shark Drift

Lemon Shark Drift describes the seasonal winter drift dives run from Jupiter Inlet, Florida, over the inshore reef ledges between roughly 18 and 27 metres of depth. From December through April every year, lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) gather along the Jupiter coast in numbers that can exceed 100 adult animals. The reason for the aggregation is still under study by Florida Atlantic University and other researchers, but the predictability has made the dive one of the world's premier shark-encounter experiences. Operators (such as Jupiter Dive Center, Emerald Charters and Florida Scuba Charters) drift along the natural reef line on Gulf Stream current while groups of 10 to 50 lemons cruise through. Bull sharks, sandbar sharks, nurse sharks, the occasional tiger shark and large schools of jacks and amberjack are also part of the show. Drift conditions, cold winter water and abundant pelagic life make this an advanced trip with SMB, drift hood and current attentiveness mandatory.