Dive Site Database

GPS coordinates, depth ranges, and real dive intel for Jupiter and Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County sits on one of the most accessible reef systems in the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream runs within a few miles of shore, bringing warm blue water and attracting everything from sea turtles to bull sharks. These are the sites that local operators visit most frequently, with real depth data, GPS coordinates, and marine life you can actually expect to see.

GPS coordinates are approximate and intended for chartplotter reference. Always confirm site locations with your dive operator. Depths and conditions vary with tide, current, and season.

Quick Facts

RegionPalm Beach County, FL
Sites Listed12
Depth Range45 to 110 ft
Water Temp72 to 84°F
Visibility40 to 100+ ft

Scarface Reef

Reef

One of Jupiter's most popular ledge systems, named for a distinctive cut in the reef face. Massive barrel sponges and purple sea fans line the ledge, and green sea turtles cruise by on nearly every dive. A reliable first stop for operators running two-tank morning trips.

Barrel Sponges Sea Fans Sea Turtles Nurse Sharks
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Pura Vida Divers, Kyalami Charters
Depth 65 to 80 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.9425 N, 80.0310 W

Find a Dive Boat →

The Tunnels

Reef / Swimthrough

A series of swimthroughs and overhangs carved into the Jupiter reef tract. Nurse sharks rest underneath the ledges, and lobster and moray eels hide in every crevice. Navigation through the tunnels is straightforward, but buoyancy control matters here.

Swimthroughs Nurse Sharks Lobster Moray Eels
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Narcosis Scuba
Depth 70 to 85 ft
Cert Level AOW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.9380 N, 80.0285 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Blowhole

Reef

A deeper section of the Jupiter reef where the Gulf Stream current can run strong. Known for attracting large pelagics, spotted eagle rays, and the occasional hammerhead shark. Best dived when current is moderate and visibility is high.

Eagle Rays Hammerheads Pelagics Strong Current
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Kyalami Charters
Depth 80 to 100 ft
Cert Level AOW+
Best Season Winter / Spring

GPS (approx)

26.9350 N, 80.0260 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Area 51

Ledge

A deep ledge system east of Jupiter Inlet that lives up to its mysterious name. Bull sharks, lemon sharks, and large black grouper patrol the structure. Winter shark season (November through March) is the prime window, and deep diving experience is strongly recommended.

Bull Sharks Lemon Sharks Black Grouper Deep Ledge
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Walker Diving
Depth 90 to 110 ft
Cert Level AOW+ with deep experience
Best Season Winter (Nov to Mar)

GPS (approx)

26.9410 N, 80.0230 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Flower Gardens

Reef

A shallow, colorful reef loaded with soft corals, sponges, and sea whips. The dense coral coverage makes this one of the most photogenic sites on the Jupiter reef tract. Excellent for underwater photography at any skill level.

Soft Corals Sponges Photography Sea Whips
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Pura Vida Divers, Florida Underwater Sports
Depth 60 to 75 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.9460 N, 80.0340 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Captain Zack's Reef

Reef

An easy, shallow reef that operators frequently use for newer divers and checkout dives. Visibility is typically good, and the reef is covered with tropical fish, small reef sharks, and the occasional turtle. A relaxed drift with minimal current most days.

Tropical Fish Easy Drift Good Visibility Checkout Dives
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Pura Vida Divers, Florida Underwater Sports
Depth 55 to 70 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.9485 N, 80.0355 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Paul's Reef

Reef

A classic Jupiter drift dive with consistent marine life on every visit. Sea turtles are almost guaranteed, and green moray eels peer out from the ledge. Schools of bar jacks sweep over the reef in tight formations, making this a crowd-pleaser for any certification level.

Sea Turtles Moray Eels Schooling Jacks Consistent Life
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Pura Vida Divers, Kyalami Charters
Depth 65 to 80 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.9395 N, 80.0300 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Teardrop Reef

Reef

Named for its teardrop shape when viewed from above. Goliath grouper aggregate here during summer months, sometimes in groups of ten or more. Reef sharks patrol the perimeter year-round, and the ledge structure provides shelter for a dense population of tropicals.

Goliath Grouper Reef Sharks Tropicals Unique Shape
Operators: Jupiter Dive Center, Narcosis Scuba, Kyalami Charters
Depth 70 to 85 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round (Goliath: Summer)

GPS (approx)

26.9370 N, 80.0295 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Loxahatchee Ledge

Ledge

THE shark dive site in Jupiter. This is where operators run dedicated shark feed dives with lemon sharks, bull sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks. During peak winter season, dozens of sharks circle the ledge. Multiple operators run scheduled shark dives here weekly.

Lemon Sharks Bull Sharks Reef Sharks Shark Feeds
Operators: Salty Divers, Walker Diving, Calypso Dive Charters, Kyalami Charters
Depth 80 to 100 ft
Cert Level AOW+
Best Season Winter peak (Nov to Mar)

GPS (approx)

26.9440 N, 80.0250 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Breakers Reef

Reef

A shallow reef system off the coast of Palm Beach, near The Breakers hotel. Easy drift diving with good visibility and plenty of sea turtles and tropical fish. One of the most accessible sites in Palm Beach County for newer divers looking to build experience.

Sea Turtles Tropical Fish Shallow Depth Easy Drift
Operators: Pura Vida Divers, Deep Obsession Charters, Splashdown Divers
Depth 45 to 65 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.7150 N, 80.0200 W

Find a Dive Boat →

Corridor

Reef

A long reef running parallel to shore with consistent marine life and easy navigation. The reef profile is straightforward, making it a reliable pick for operators when conditions allow. Expect sea fans, sponges, and a steady parade of reef fish on every dive.

Sea Fans Reef Fish Easy Navigation Consistent
Operators: Pura Vida Divers, Narcosis Scuba, Splashdown Divers
Depth 60 to 75 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.8200 N, 80.0250 W

Find a Dive Boat →

MG-111 Wreck

Wreck

An artificial reef and wreck site that acts as a major fish aggregation point. The structure attracts large schools of baitfish, which in turn draw in barracuda, jacks, and the occasional cobia. A favorite among underwater photographers for the dramatic silhouettes.

Artificial Reef Fish Aggregation Barracuda Photography
Operators: Deep Obsession Charters, Splashdown Divers, Narcosis Scuba
Depth 60 to 75 ft
Cert Level OW+
Best Season Year-round

GPS (approx)

26.8350 N, 80.0220 W

Find a Dive Boat →

How Drift Diving Works

Nearly all boat diving in Jupiter and Palm Beach County is drift diving. The Gulf Stream current runs northward along the coast at 1 to 3 knots, carrying warm, clear water from the Caribbean. The captain positions the boat upstream of the dive site, you drop in and descend to the reef, and the current carries you along the ledge while the boat follows your bubbles on the surface.

When you finish your dive and surface, the boat is already nearby for pickup. There is no anchor line, no fighting the current, and no swimming back to a fixed point. You simply relax and let the ocean move you. It is one of the most effortless styles of diving once you are comfortable with it.

Drift Diving Essentials

  • Surface marker buoy (SMB). Required by most operators. Deploy at the end of your dive so the captain can spot you.
  • Buoyancy control. You need to stay neutrally buoyant and maintain your depth. The reef moves past you, not the other way around.
  • Buddy proximity. Current can separate divers quickly. Stay close to your buddy and agree on a plan before descending.
  • Descent speed. Get down to the reef quickly on entry. Floating on the surface burns time and puts distance between you and the site.

Conditions by Season

What to expect in the water throughout the year in Palm Beach County.

Winter (Dec to Feb)

Water Temp72 to 76°F
Visibility50 to 100+ ft
CurrentModerate to strong
Exposure5mm or hooded vest

Peak shark season. Lemon sharks, bull sharks, and the occasional hammerhead. Best visibility of the year when cold fronts push clean water inshore. Can be rough on the surface after fronts pass.

Spring (Mar to May)

Water Temp76 to 80°F
Visibility40 to 80 ft
CurrentLight to moderate
Exposure3mm wetsuit

Transitional season with calmer seas. Eagle ray sightings increase, hammerhead migrations move through the area. Water warms steadily. One of the best windows for comfortable diving conditions.

Summer (Jun to Aug)

Water Temp82 to 86°F
Visibility40 to 70 ft
CurrentLight
Exposure3mm or rashguard

Goliath grouper aggregation season. Schools of juvenile fish everywhere. Afternoon thunderstorms can cancel trips, so morning dives are most reliable. Warmest water of the year.

Fall (Sep to Nov)

Water Temp78 to 84°F
Visibility50 to 80 ft
CurrentLight to moderate
Exposure3mm wetsuit

Visibility improves as summer rain tapers off. Turtle nesting season runs through October. Shark numbers begin increasing as water cools. Hurricane season runs through November, so watch weather closely.

Dive site information is based on personal experience and local knowledge. GPS coordinates are approximate. Conditions, marine life, and accessibility change with weather, season, and current. Always confirm site details and conditions with your dive operator before booking. This page contains no affiliate links or paid placements.