36
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
The boat goes out all year with
water temperature varying from 21°C
in winter to 24°C in spring to 30°C
in summer. In winter the visibility is
better and the cooler water brings
more fish life, but in spring there are
mating turtles and schooling sharks,
manta rays and eagle rays.
37
And then there is the
36 A tiger shark comes
highlight of the shark trips,
in for a close look at
the tigers. Lowering yourself
Tiger Beach
into the water with a bunch of 37 The Shear Water on
the dock at West Palm
tiger sharks for the first time
Beach, Florida
can be a little intimidating, but
comprehensive briefings are
given on board so you know the drill. In recent
years Jim has spent a lot of time befriending these
large predators in order to remove hooks from
their mouths. Interestingly, he has found that it
is no longer necessary to use bait to entice the
sharks as some of them have learned to approach
divers who show them the correct hand signals
and they come in for some love and affection,
generally a head rub, and with bait out of the
equation, it is far safer for everyone involved.
SDOP
90
HOW
Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures
are based in Lake Park, Florida. The
nearest airport is West Palm Beach,
which can be reached from many
hubs in the US.
STAY/DIVE
• Shear Water Liveaboard
www.scuba-adventures.com
TOPSIDE
When ashore there is a world of
activities to pursue, from safaris
to museums to state-of-the-art
shopping malls, movie theatres,
restaurants and bars. On board
Shear Water it is all about the diving.
ENTRY
Visa requirements vary. The US
Department of State website has
a helpful wizard that can help
determine requirements based
upon your passport.