Diving Blue Heron Bridge & the Palm Beaches

[danvolker]

Final thoughts...

We enjoyed our boat dives in the Palm Beach area, but I'm not really sure we would go again. At about $100 per 2-tank boat dive, it's a bit pricey for what you get. OTOH, it is awfully convenient and sometimes you just need to get into the water. I wouldn't make a special trip for it, but if you are already in the area, why not? I should also add that I didn't see any of the wrecks and didn't get my close-up with the shark, so I can't give any perspective on that.

Sorrows,
I think the average cost throughout the county of palm beach is closer to $60's and $70's for a 2 tank dive. There is a great deal to Palm Beach diving that you can not find in one day, or even 7 days..or even in a whole month of diving here.
There are what you could call , several major "Zones" for Palm Beach diving....a rubble and patch zone, inshore ( which would include the Bridge area you like), there is an inshore ledge zone, a huge crown area with it's own unique environment, an offshore ledge zone, and a rubble and patch zone outside the offshore reef. The area of Juno and Jupiter will be quite different in it's zone based experiences for you, than what you would get in the Breakers area or Pauls or Horseshoe....and then when you move on to Boynton and DelRay, it is as different from Juno as Fiji is from Cozumel....

Tell me what you would want to find on the "perfect" dive, what the depth would be ( from 35 to 140--pick something) what the most important life for you to see would be, how the dive should "flow" for you..how the boat should "handle" you.....
I will bet that I can find a dive here that will "knock your dive socks off"

Regards,
DanV

 

[jet126]

I agree with Dan - the average price of a two-tank boat dive in Broward Cty is also around $60-70. Tank rentals are $10. So unless you were renting all your gear $100 seems high.

Although I'm a huge BHB fan and dove there almost 1x a week all summer I've kind of held back on this thread as I am not at all familiar with WPB boats. But I have to say it's unusual in Broward for the dive boats to provide complimentary DM guides. If you want a guide you pay for it, otherwise they give you a briefing and send you on your way. The DM stays on the boat watching for any problems, assists divers getting back on the boat, etc.

I totally support the dive industry and try to take good care of my boat captains and DM's but to go in the water with spear or camera sounds like a fun recreational dive to me - your DM's were playing not working. I hope you "tipped" accordingly.

 

[DMDavid]

Thursday is also apparently a big spearfishing day for the Narcossis and crew. I'm feeling distinctly uncomfortable about this. Yes, I know its legal and I appreciate that they are not spearfishing near us, but...these are fish we would like to see and--unlike deer and hunters--there isn't a single species of fish they hunt that needs to be thinned. Can divers and spearfishers cohabitate the same reef, the same boat? Aren't we at cross-purposes with each other? More on that later...

I agree with you on this 100%.
It just seems plain crazy that we are there for completely opposite reasons.

 

[djtimmy77]

Am I mistaken or did Narcosis used to be "No Spearfishing" a couple years ago?

 

[tarponchik]

Sorrows, thank you. I'm not really into macro, too impatient maybe ;-)

As for the little green creature, I can share it with EF but don't know how. I agree, this could also be a trunkfish. We met this little guy twice, on two different days.

 

[Sorrows]

Guys, when I said "about $100 for a two-tank dive" I was including the rental of the tanks & weights, nitrox and a tip. Actually, I think we went over $100 a bit--and there are three of us. Well, we all know this is an expensive hobby.

It's a nice bonus that Narcosis puts DMs in the water with the divers--I didn't know this isn't the case throughout Broward County, but I'm not surprised after my experiences in the Keys and Miami. The Captain made it very clear that the crew depends solely on tips.

Dan, "as different as Fiji from Cozumel?" Well, okay--I know my guys would like to have seen the wrecks and to get close enough to take a photo of a shark. I think we enjoyed the fish life--it isn't prolific, but there is plenty to see. Obviously, the coral and the visibility are not the best, but overall we enjoyed the experience. We just enjoyed the bridge more. I guess I like rooting around in the muck, searching for the weird and the wacky. Also, it's cheap and it's easy--an irresistible combination.

 

[Sorrows]

Tarponchik, I meant the Blue Heron Bridge thread on Scubaboard. You could post the link or do an attachment. Those guys really know their fish!

That little green creature was an awesome find, IMHO. I am turning green myself--with envy!

 

[danvolker]

Dan, "as different as Fiji from Cozumel?" Well, okay--I know my guys would like to have seen the wrecks and to get close enough to take a photo of a shark. I think we enjoyed the fish life--it isn't prolific, but there is plenty to see. Obviously, the coral and the visibility are not the best, but overall we enjoyed the experience. We just enjoyed the bridge more. I guess I like rooting around in the muck, searching for the weird and the wacky. Also, it's cheap and it's easy--an irresistible combination.

Sorrows,
It may sound improbable, but it is real. I have dived in Fiji, Cozumel, and all over the carribean, the Bahamas, and of course, all over Florida.
When I say that there is much more to "knowing" Palm Beach diving than you can get in a week, I am actually understating the issue....
I can tell you were being honest in your impressions, but I can guarantee you that you would need much more time on Palm Beach reefs to really know how the diving that you like the most, plays out in Palm Beach....And on this point, I'd be willing to make this a real bet....
I happen to know a huge number of dive oprerators in Palm Beach...ie., I believe I can easily create this scenario....you come to Palm Beach again, but ahead of time, you will need to go through with me on EXACTLY what your PERFECT dive would be like...If I can't figure out the perfect site and boat trip for you, one that will "blow your socks off", then the dive boat part of the trip will be FREE FOR YOU AND YOUR DIVE BUDDY!
What do you think?

REgards,
DanV

 

[Scott L]

I agree with Dan. There are a couple of operators in the area who are continually identifying (with scooters) patch work dive sites off the beaten path generally on the Juno Beach crown reef system that are untrampled, pristine and teaming with marine life. The Palm Beaches rock!

 

[The Chairman]

A group of SBers will be at the bridge today @ 3:30 ish. Me included!!!