New Mother’s Day Traditions: Snorkeling With Sharks

Flowers, a handwritten note, and…sharks? Thanks to Shark Tours Florida in West Palm Beach, this Mother’s Day we came face to face with the ocean’s top predator overcoming fears along the way.

A New Spin on Mother’s Day

Every year it sneaks up on you…Mother’s Day. A whole day dedicated to the most important person in your life. No pressure, right?

It’s always a little stressful trying to figure out what to get your mom. Not to mention, it’s 2020 and COVID certainly didn’t make things easy – wandering around the mall for inspiration wasn’t an option this year.

Since we’ve been indoors for the past 2 months, I thought buying my mom a present wasn’t enough. I wanted her to experience a Mother’s Day she would never forget. One to distract from the craziness around us.

Now, I love my mom. And I know you love yours, too. So I did what every loving daughter/son would do: I booked two spots on a boat to go snorkeling with sharks in West Palm Beach!

But sharks… seriously ?

I know what you might be thinking: swimming in shark infested waters is an odd way to show affection. And you might even think I’m a terrible gift giver. But I promise you, our experience was nothing like the movie Jaws.

Truth is sharks are terribly misunderstood. Yes, they’re apex predators and deserve a healthy amount of respect; but they’re not the human eating monsters we see on TV.

The truth about sharks

In fact, you’re more likely to be injured making repairs on your toilet than by a shark in the US. Yes, seemingly innocuous toilets account for 43,687 injuries. Sharks? 13.

But I get it. Giant fish with jagged rows of teeth aren’t the most inviting creatures and a healthy fear of the unknown is certainly natural. Unsurprisingly, my mom approached her Mother’s Day gift with a dose of skepticism. No amount of data was going to change her mind.

So she had to dive in and see for herself.

Snorkeling With Sharks: What to Expect

Despite the stats, sharks are still top predators. Therefore, precautions should be taken to safely interact with them. Nobody knows this better than the Shark Tours Florida crew who have years of experience handling sharks…and still have all their extremities intact (kidding)!

Jokes aside, Ryan Walton, the co-owner, and his crew are true professionals. Their incredible energy and passion makes for an amazing trip for beginners and seasoned divers alike!

Why choose Shark Tours Florida

I found myself aboard their 1986, 27′ Grady White, center console boat (AKA, The Grady) a few months prior for a friend’s birthday. It was happenstance, but an experience that made me wonder, “could my mom do this?”

The answer was yes.

Keep in mind, my mother is by no means comfortable in the water. But I witnessed the crew of The Grady pay special attention to new snorkelers, novice swimmers, and uncomfortable divers. I was at ease knowing my mom would be in good hands.

Welcome Aboard

Fast forward to Mother’s Day and we’re greeted by the crew for the day: Kaitlyn, Lauren and Captain Joe. Once aboard the red topped boat, we scan our surroundings.

The Grady is nestled in Riviera Beach between two iconic South Florida destinations: Blue Heron Bridge and Peanut Island.

SIDENOTE: Blue Heron Bridge is an exceptional dive and snorkel site worthy of a visit!

With gear loaded, snacks packed, and liability waivers signed, we cast off the lines and make our way through the bustling intracoastal. It’s a busy area with lots of world-class people watching on boats of all shapes and sizes.

As for the crew, they were friendly, welcoming, and ecstatic to hear that it was my mom’s first time diving with them AND with sharks!

Common sharks seen while snorkeling in Florida

As Captain Joe weaves through the no wake zone, Kaitlyn, our lead guide, gives us a run-down of the species of shark we’re likely to encounter in the summer:

• Silky Sharks
• Sandbar Sharks
• Scalloped and Smooth Hammerhead Sharks
• Dusky Sharks
• And (gasp!) Bull Sharks

Conversely, if you were to book a trip in the winter, you might see:

• Lemon Sharks
• Tiger Sharks
• Great Hammerheads
• And (gasp again!) Bull Sharks

Honestly, Kaitlyn’s enthusiasm when explaining eased my mom’s nerves a bit!

READ MORE: Common Sharks Seen in Florida

Understanding shark behavior

Kaitlyn was a fountain of knowledge, detailing personalities, behaviors, and misconceptions about sharks. She ensured everyone aboard understood where to be positioned in the water, what movements to avoid and how to deflect a particularly curious shark.

It can’t be understated: we were about to be guests in the sharks’ home. Proper communication is vital. And as it turns out, sharks use body language and eye contact to interact with each other and their environment. As ambush predators, they rely on the element of surprise so once their cover is blown, they change their behavior.

As a shark approaches, you should angle your body in their direction and meet their glance. Although intimidating, this maneuver facilitates positive human-shark interaction.

It’s a lot to take in as far as what to do and what not to do. But we felt safe knowing that both Kaitlyn and Lauren (the safety diver) would intervene if needed. Not to mention, if we ever wanted to get out of the water, Captain Joe would be nearby with the Grady ready for pick up.

Attracting the sharks

After 25 minutes of wave riding and sea turtle spotting fun, we’ve arrived. Miles away from shore, we’re surrounded by sapphire blue water that’s 120+ ft deep. From the boat we can still see the beach on the horizon – a friendly reminder that we’re not too far away from civilization.

Most sharks spend their time far below the surface, only coming up from the depths of the ocean when a potential meal gets their attention. As the lead guide, it’s Kaitlyn’s job to peak their interest enough for them to ascend.

As we wiggle into our wetsuits, Kaitlyn jumps in the water with a milk crate full of chum (chopped up and bloody fish). Spreading the word of a sushi buffet to the pelagic sharks below is not an easy task. You need to appeal to their acute sense of hearing and smell.

Kaitlyn begins by raising her hand out of the water and quickly smacking it down several times. This action creates vibrations that sharks in the area can pick up even hundreds of feet below. Between the vibrations and the smell of fish in the water, the sharks believe there’s something worth checking out at the surface.

Not even 10 minutes later, Kaitlyn exclaims, “shark! shark!”. It’s a good start. However, before we can jump in, Kaitlyn has to give the shark a reason to stick around.

Amazingly, she starts to carefully feed it by softly fluttering dead fish as it approaches her. Not minutes later, she gives us the big okay. The pool is officially open.

Taking the plunge

Lauren reminds us of the three main rules before jumping in:

1. Stay away from the crate of fish carcasses.
2. Always be aware of your surroundings.
3. No erratic movements.

Certainly, not a set of rules that are going to ease your nerves. Regardless, they’re important.

My heart is pumping with adrenaline and I start wondering if I should’ve gone with the traditional flowers and hand written note for my mom. But she’s geared up and smiling – I know she’s just as eager as me to jump in.

We enter the water with a back roll, the most efficient way to get into the water from a small boat. You sit on the edge of the boat facing in, take a deep breath, lean back, and let gravity do the rest. After splashing in your head pops out of the water and the Captain waits to see if you’re okay.

Interacting with the sharks

Not a second later we’re face to face with a juvenile Caribbean reef shark. Small, but feisty. This girl had a serious attitude, and for good reason.

Juveniles compensate for their small size by being more aggressive, which means she doesn’t care to keep her distance from us. By coming in close and bumping our fins she wants to show who’s boss. Clamoring for her share of food before the larger sharks show up.

Crashing the party

As we’re watching the juvenile dart between the crate and each one of us, we’re joined by a couple of remoras commonly known as “sucker fish”. Typically, they latch under sharks or bigger marine life. Today, they’re looking to hitch a ride on one of us.

Equipped with a powerful suction cup on their heads, you definitely don’t want them sticking to you….it’ll hurt.

Bull(y) Sharks

Without notice, our feisty reef shark left in a hurry. Minutes passed and nothing happened. Not even the remoras were anywhere in sight. Where had they gone? More minutes passed and still nothing happened. We swayed at the surface surrounded by silence and anticipation.

Suddenly, Lauren points out 4 big shadows circling right below us. As the dark shadows get closer and closer it becomes apparent what spooked the much smaller reef shark- large adult bull and sandbar sharks. They’ve come up from the depths expecting to make an easy meal of an injured fish. Now they’re slowly approaching us with inquisitive eyes, struggling to recalibrate their expectations.

Their movements are graceful and precise. They can smell the food but it’s nowhere insight. Watching a shark make sense of whether you’re a threat or prey is exhilarating.

Controlling the frenzy

Quickly we’re reminded of how easily Kaitlyn and Lauren can communicate with these beautiful creatures. In one graceful movement, Kaitlyn redirects the sharks’ attention to what they’re really seeking: the chum.

As the sharks begin approaching, Kaitlyn tosses hunks of fish to appease their appetite. She presses the tops of their heads as they swim past. Seemingly, this movement is her way of communicating dominance – keeping the sharks and the situation in control.

Taking a closer look

More and more sharks start showing up, each taking their turn to investigate the crate and us. I look behind me to make sure my mom is
okay and she’s grinning from ear to ear.

Now that we’re surrounded by sharks it’s the perfect time to dive down into their silent world to get up close. I take a deep breath in and descend into the blue. Swimming near them is surreal; to be so close to something so misunderstood; to be so close to something that so badly needs our help.

Saying goodbye

Our two hours in the water are up before we know it and it’s time to head back to the boat. It’s crazy to think that we spent two straight hours swimming and diving in the open ocean, non-stop.

As we get back on the boat, Lauren dumps fish left overs and blood overboard which draws the sharks nearby for one last goodbye. Once the food is all gone, one by one they make their way back to the depth of the ocean and we head back to the marina.

If you’re wondering what my mom thought about the dive, well…. we’ve already booked a second trip.

I’d say she’s hooked.

A deeper mission

Despite the amazing interaction we just had in the water, Kaitlyn reminds us that shark numbers are declining. The pressure they undergo due to a changing ocean, overfishing, and marine debris is decimating a predator that has survived 195 million years.

Although it’s easy to understand the gravity of the situation, it’s also easy to feel helpless. However, there’s hope.

Small shark eco-tours are popping all over the globe. Evolving shark exploitation and fear into shark conservation and admiration. Shark Tours Florida may just be the best of the bunch.

NOTE: for an impactful nonprofit establishing shark tours, check out Project Hiu!

What to Bring

Know before you go…

1. Mask, fins and snorkel. Here’s a set we can recommend from Cressi.
2. Full body suit or wetsuit. If it’s summer, a simple skinsuit will do the trick.
3. Camera. You can never go wrong with GoPro. Here’s a list of cameras and accessories we use.
4. Water bottle. Ideally, an eco-friendly one!
5. Sun protection! From reef safe sunscreen to long sleeve shirts and hats, check out our full article on how we protect ourselves from the hot Florida sun.
6. If you’re prone to sea sickness or you know it’s going to be a windy day,
   take Dramamine the night before and an hour before you board the boat.
7. Dry bag to store your phone, keys and anything you don’t want to get wet.

If you don’t have your own snorkel gear, just be sure to call Shark Tours Florida before you go!

Final Thoughts on our day with Sharks

We did it! We swam with 3 different species of sharks and made it back with all our limbs intact. A successful day, no doubt.

It wasn’t your usual Mother’s Day, but it was a good one. And honestly, I think I did myself in. How could I ever top this next year? I guess I’ll just have to keep making my way down my moms bucket list.

If you’ve got a thrill-seeking mom like me, booking a trip with the Shark Tours Florida crew is a must!