Blackjack
Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving to See and Watch the Blackjack
The Blackjack is the most common species of the jack family in the Caribbean. It is of medium size, has a tapered and symmetrical body, with a black and light blue stripe all along its back.
They sometimes stop at cleaning stations to get cleaned by shrimps. They follow other hunting fish and charge at prey to seize it.
Its predators are dolphins and bigger fish such as wahoos.
CHECK SEASONALITY
Caranx ruber
Wide angle
Carangue franche, Carangue bleue, Carangue à pisquettes, Carangue comade, Camade, Bar jack, Crevalle jack, Blue-striped cavalla, blackjack
Food
The Blackjack hunts along the coastline at a depth of 30 m. It feeds on small fish such as wrasse, parrotfish, shrimps, and small invertebrates. The juveniles are pelagic and feed on zooplankton. They hunt alone, in pairs, or in small groups of ten. They speed up through shoals to split the group of prey.
Breeding
The Blackjack mate all year round with seasonal intensifications. They gather in large shoals to spawn. The larvae are pelagic and follow the current to return to the coast.
Dive centers
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Top Dive Tetiaora
Polynesia
- Tetiaora

The TopDive center is located in The Brando hotel on Tetiaroa atoll, in Polynesia, 30 km northeast of Tahiti. The services of this ecolodge-type dive resort are top of the range in the middle of an enclosed crystal clear lagoon, encircled by 13 motus, with no pass allowing the boat to transit from the lagoon to the open sea. The Brando is the only hotel on Tetiaroa Atoll. Its eco-responsible measures respect the environment, with air conditioning that runs on seawater drawn from the sea, lighting powered by two thousand solar panels, a generator running on coconut oil, and waste treatment.
The activities are nature-oriented with a visit to the organic orchard, the discovery of the scientific research station, and a Polynesian culture session with the archaeological tower. Each of the 35 villas is located on the beach where the turtles roam and have a private swimming pool. Built with traditional materials, with outdoor bathrooms, these villas allow for a local colourful lifestyle. The Varua Polynesian Spa, integrated into the natural environment, offers the best holistic treatments inspired by Polynesian techniques, as well as relaxation areas with a steam bath.
The two restaurants, overseen by a Michelin-starred chef, serve fusion cuisine inspired by Polynesian, Oriental, and Western cuisine, as well as traditional French cuisine. Meals can be served in your villa. The place is famous because Marlon Brando bought the property. Today it belongs to French Polynesia. The interior of the island is not accessible to the public, so take a walk along the coastline. You can take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the lagoon. Whale watching trips are organized during the season from mid-July to mid-October. The trip must be booked 48 hours in advance. On-site dive bookings can be made at the hotel concierge desk. [+]
- Whale Watching
- Turtle Watching
- Accomodations and diving
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African Dive Adventures
South Africa
- Margate
 
African Dive Adventures is located in the port of Shelly Beach, KwaZulu Natal, along the east coast of South Africa. Opportunity to dive on Protea Banks, worldwide-known reef for shark diving. Small shop for meeting call at 6:45 am. Then the equipped divers embark on the 3 semi-rigid boats both propelled by two 85 HP Yamaha outboard engines, 10 per boat. Diving briefing before visiting the Protea Banks by experienced and certified SAMSA guides and skippers (South African Maritime Safety Authority). Thorough information on how to interact with Sharks. Pedagogical explanations for eco-tourism. Very invested in the preservation of Protea Banks, coastal reefs and animals such as Sharks, Dolphins and Whales. With the mission to offer every diver the best diving experience on the Banks of Protea.
The boats such as the Black Pearl, the Southern Comfort, the Protea Banks and the Avatar have speed and power to navigate safely in a rough sea. Whenever one of these boats leaves the port, it is entirely refueled at sea for a greater autonomy.
This is especially important on the Sardine Run when divers are on the boat all day far from the coast. It's also nice to have space on the boat to organize Tiger Shark diving and store baits and cables on the deck. Divers can lie down, stack waterproof bags, towels. Snacks on board.
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- Sardine Run
- Raggies Sharks watching
- fast boat
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Top Dive Fakarava
Polynesia
- Rotoava

The TopDive Dive Centre is located in two places in Fakarava, Polynesia: in the village of Rotoava, North Fakarava and in Motu Penu, Tetamanu, South Fakarava. The headquarters and main meeting point for divers before and after the dive trips is in Rotoava. Open 7 days a week, all year round, the shop on-site allows the purchase of equipment and small emergency supplies. The rental equipment is in very good condition and includes regulators with built-in computers. This TopDive training centre is a PADI 5 ***** however SSI and FFESSM/CMAS courses are also offered for beginners up to Advanced Open Water Diver level.
The trips are carried out on board aluminium diving boats adapted to the comfort and safety of the participants. Instructors and guides speak English, French, Japanese and Spanish. Two trips per day, morning and afternoon, consist of two dives each and are scheduled according to the tide. Garuae Pass, located at the northern end of Fakarava Atoll, is the largest kilometre wide pass in Polynesia with (supposedly) seven different currents running through it.
At the time of the rising tide, you will witness the incredible spectacle of a wall of sharks rising at the mouth of the pass. At the southern end of Fakarava, Tumakohua Pass is designated by UNESCO as a nature reserve of outstanding reef and ecosystem quality. Sharks can be seen during all your dives. Don't miss the marbled loaches at Fakarava, especially during the mating season! For those north of Fakarava, feel free to take a day trip south of Fakarava with 2 dives and a picnic at Motu Penu TopDive, located 5 minutes from the pass. [+]
- Sharks watching
- Dolphin watching
- fast boat
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The six passengers
Polynesia
- Avatoru
    
The Six Passenger dive centre is located in Rangiroa in French Polynesia, near the Kia Ora village hotel, on the beach of Ohutu Bay. Open 7 days a week, 4 trips per day are organised, 2 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon and 1 on a "Sunset" trip to optimise the beautiful encounters in the Tiputa and Avatoru passes, depending on the different currents. The Six Passenger training centre offers CMAS, FFESSM, CEDIP/ANMP, PADI level 1 course, as well as levels 2 and 3 and Advanced Open Water Diver. Children from the age of eight are accepted for diving.
The premises include a Polynesian style building with a video room and a clubhouse with Internet access, for debriefing dives over a snack, facing Rangiroa lagoon, on the edge of the sandy beach. Located on the edge of an "hoa", this small natural channel is not navigable and offers a shelter for boats. The technical room is used to store and distribute equipment. A large wooden deck of 450m2 ending in a pontoon, allows divers to board the boats directly. It is possible to have food delivered to the club.
Embark on one of the 4 semi-rigid boats - approved for 12 people - but with only 6 divers on board for more comfort, conviviality and safety!
Explore the best spots in Polynesia: Tiputa and Avatoru pass. The Six Passenger specialises in encounters with large animals such as bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, 9 species of sharks including the famous great hammerhead, the Mokaran. Groups of up to 30 divers can be accommodated. The price of the dives includes all the diving equipment including the wetsuit. Two minibuses provide free transfers from the hotel to the club. At least one flight per day between Tahiti and Rangiroa.
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- Sharks watching
- Dolphin watching
- Eagle Rays Watching
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Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center
Polynesia
- Punaauia
 
The Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center is located in the heart of the Marina Taina, in Tahiti, Polynesia. Open every day of the year, there are up to 4 boat departures per day with explorations and training on the ocean side at 8 a, at 10:30 a divers stay in the lagoon, which is ideal for initiations, at 2 p we go back to the ocean and at 4 p we immerse ourselves. During the week, you can dive on the site of your choice, namely on the best diving spots in Tahiti! If you are at least 4 participants, define the date of your next night dive. Birthday, honeymoon to celebrate? Contact Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center to organize the party! You benefit from free parking, small restaurants, and shops. The transfer to and from the diving center is free depending on the location of your hotel or guesthouse.
Here you will find a friendly welcome with fresh filtered water, tea, coffee, and chocolate. The Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center offers FFESSM and PADI courses from beginner to advanced divers as well as introductory diving courses. The center also specializes in diving for children, who are provided with equipment adapted to their body size. The shop offers a wide range of diving equipment and fittings. The rental equipment is maintained for comfort and safety and is rinsed in a chlorinated tank after each dive. The equipment stock includes aluminum compensated tanks, equipped with DIN and stirrup valves.
You choose to rent a boat and drive? How right you are! Stroll through the lagoon and out to sea, snorkel, wakeboard, or tow the buoy. Dolphin watching at sea is a great experience. Take your coastal diving license at Eleuthera Tahiti Diving Center. An essential complement, the Radio Operator's Restricted Certificate (RRC) allows you to operate on VHF stations. At the end of the season, second-hand diving equipment is on sale. [+]
- Whale Watching
- Boat rental
- Boat licence
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Where to see, swim, and dive with Blackjack ?
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