Going to So. Florida, need advice

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Should I bring a handful of aluminum plates in case someone may want one?

Yes, immediately after selling one to me!
 
To add to what others have posted, you’ll see different things based on where you dive. Jupiter offers more large things to see, such as sharks and Goliath groupers, and tends to be deeper dives. I think the lemon sharks will be there in October so, a Jupiter dive is a must do. JDC is my go-to charter. WPB has a wide range of artificial and natural reefs at varying depths, I like them all! I prefer Narcosis out of Riviera Beach, but haven’t really had a bad experience with any of the WPB charters. Deep Obsession will do baited shark dives, these are usually 3 tank charters. Emerald charters in Jupiter will do hand-feeding of sharks, and they reliably bring in a tiger shark or 2. If you like dramatic reef structures, a hop down to Delray is worth the trip.
 
Hi @Eric Sedletzky

You'll have a great visit to SE FL. October is early for Lemon Shark aggregation, may be the end of Goliath Grouper aggregation. Jupiter Dive Center is very good, their bottom time is 45 minutes, run time low 50s minutes. This is not unreasonable considering the depth of the dives. They have tanks, optional steels, and weights. They have a great 3 tanker on Friday where they do Deep Ledge on the 1st dive, good opportunity to dive with Bull Sharks. They put a DM in the water with a flag, I sometimes come up with DM at the end of the dive, or ascend on my SMB. I also dive with Narcosis in WPB, another good op. They also have tanks and weights, optional steels. They also put in a DM, same option as JDC. In my opinion, Boynton Beach has the best reef. I use Underwater Explorers, Loggerhead, and Starfish. None put a DM in, you have to carry a flag/go with a group. All have tanks and weights, all have a steel option. Doing the Castor in Boynton Beach is a real treat, epicenter for GG aggregation, year long population, often bait fish and hunters. Dive time in WPB and Boynton is loosely an hour bottom time.

Sorry I won't be down during your visit or I would be glad to dive with you. I'll be down 11-19. Let me know if you have questions.

Good diving, Craig
 
I grew up in California and no one seemed to care when I lived in Florida.... Florida gets vacationing divers from all over the country: just don't be an an a$$ and everyone will like you.

I dove with Jupiter dive center almost every weekend until I moved away a few years ago. I still dive with them when I visit palm beach county. Most shops only have aluminum 80's but a few like JDC have steel 100's. I don't know of any one that rents bigger tanks than 100's.

Most of palm beach county is drift diving. In WPB and Jupiter, a guide gets in the water and holds the reel/line connected to the float ball. Most operators will let you do your own thing if you don't want to stay with the guide... You'll need an safety sausage and preferably know how to shoot in on a reel from depth once you start up or on your safety stop if you go out on your own.

Temp tolerance is personal. I dive with a 3mm in October when I'm in Florida.

Jupiter is all about big animal encounters like turtles, sharks, big moray eels, goliath grouper, etc. The reef is nice but I think WPB reefs are prettier, you're not as likely to see big critters in WPB, but they are there. The goliath groupers will probably sticking around wrecks in both locations in Oct.

Nitrox is beneficial in both locations too

I wear jets fins.... No one will really care about your dive gear configuration

Enjoy the dives
 
I live in West Palm.... usually dive with Starfish out of Boynton Beach. A very nice young couple own and run the boat, very laid back. They'll provide whatever rental gear you need, steels included. They don't require you to carry a flag, you can shoot an SMB at your stop. Solo is fine with them too. I'd recommend a trip to the Castor, as well. Might as well catch the Goliath's while they're still here.

The Blue Heron Bridge is too good to miss, since you're here anyway. It's only one exit north of WPB.


If you happen to pack along an extra aluminum plate, you have a buyer......


Any questions, feel free to PM me...

Jim
 
I live in West Palm.... usually dive with Starfish out of Boynton Beach. A very nice young couple own and run the boat, very laid back. They'll provide whatever rental gear you need, steels included. They don't require you to carry a flag, you can shoot an SMB at your stop. Solo is fine with them too. I'd recommend a trip to the Castor, as well. Might as well catch the Goliath's while they're still here.

The Blue Heron Bridge is too good to miss, since you're here anyway. It's only one exit north of WPB.


If you happen to pack along an extra aluminum plate, you have a buyer......


Any questions, feel free to PM me...

Jim
I dive solo with Starfish reasonably often, I take my flag, I'm pretty sure most other divers and groups do too. Perhaps you are special. I don't think they promote drift diving without a flag. I believe it may be against the law/regulations. Of course, if you are separated from you flag, you would ascend on an SMB
 
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I think they changed, in the past they always required one.... I've been on four trips with them over the past three months, each time they gave us the option of a flag or SMB.
 
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https://xf2.scubaboard.com/community/forums/cave-diving.45/

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