Trip Report Back in Florida, 2022 #2

[scubadada]

Dive day 4, Sat May 28

I did 4 very good dives today with Starfish out of Boynton Marina. Capt Chris and Mody in the morning, Ren in the afternoon.

This morning started out fantastic, with clear, sunny skies and glassy seas, minimal swells. Our first dive was on the Castor, no current, something like 80 ft of visibility. There were thermoclines with 76 degrees at 90+ ft. There were about a half dozen Goliath Grouper around, skittish until the other divers left. There were large Barracuda and small schools of Horse-Eye Jacks, It was wonderful to be able to swim freely about the wreck without significant current.

Our second dive was a drift from the Bud Bar to the Capt. Tony. I volunteered to take the following sweep flag. Both of these artificial reefs have been beat to **** by the hurricanes. Other than usual reef fish, nothing to be seen, a lone Goliath Grouper on the Tony. Personally, I would skip these two dives. The current had picked up, the water temp was 78 degrees, the visibility was down to 50 feet.

Our first dive in the afternoon was at Delray Ledges. The current was moderate and the water temp was warmer, 81-82. There was a large amount of red algae on the reef, a lot of it drifting in the water column. There were the usual incredible schools of Grunts, not much more.

The wind and swells had increased during the day, ended up being 2-3. It became cloudy and we had a few light showers. The last dive started outside at Clubhouse and ended inside at the beautiful Black Condo. The current was very brisk on the outside, less so on the inside. Saw a large Lemon Shark on the outside as well as 3 Loggerhead Turtles. On the inside the usual reef fish were well represented. Saw another couple of Loggerhead Turtles. One swam all the way up to my face before veering away. As many times as this has happened, I'm sure not sure to think about this kind of encounter.

A great day in Boynton Beach

A side note, Capt Chris has the Starfish in the best shape in many years, a very nice boat.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Johnoly

Everyone went out of Boynton Harbor Marina yesterday. Starfish, Loggerhead, Splashdown, and Scubatryme III all went out with what appeared to be full or nearly full boats. The amount of boat traffic out on the water was also very heavy.

I'll be up in Jupiter today.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'll be up in Jupiter today.

Divers on Republic IV saw a sawfish yesterday!

 

[scubadada]

Divers on Republic IV saw a sawfish yesterday!

I'm on Repubic IV today, one day late, as usual

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'm on Repubic IV today, one day late, as usual

I feel your pain! Same for me.

 

[scubadada]

Day 5 of diving, Sunday May 29

I did 4 dives with Jupiter Dive Center. First two dives with Capt Tom, Tory and Sam. Scarface was 80 degrees. visibility about 50 ft. A couple of Loggerhead, a couple of Reef and Nurse Sharks, and the usual reef fish. Tunnels was 77 degrees. The reef was nearly completely covered by red algae. The usual reef fish were absent, only one Loggerhead and a Reef Shark.

The third dive was on Spadefish Point with Capt Tom, Sam and Maddox. The reef was in better shape. Several Loggerhead, Reef Sharks, Goliath Grouper and the usual reef fish. The last dive was at Loggerhead, a good name. We saw about 15 Loggerhead, several Reef Sharks, several Goliath Grouper, and all the usual reef fish. Afternoon water temp ws 79-80, visibility about 50 ft. We came up into a thunderstorm, seas much bigger, thunder, lightning, and some rain.

All in all, a good day with JDC

 

[scubadada]

Day 6 of diving, Monday May 30, Memorial Day

Lightning, thunder and rain this morning. Lightened up a bit when I arrived and Jupiter Dive Center for my two dives this morning. Went out on Republic IV with Capts Ryan and Tom, guide Brian, mate Maddox. The ride out saw more lightning and showers, then pretty much stopped for the rest of the morning, clouds with intermittent bursts of sun. Seas were mostly 2-3, short period

We did two very good dives at Bluffs and then, Capt Kirle's. Water temp 80-81 degrees, good visibility of about 60-80 ft, mild to moderate north current. We saw many Loggerhead Turtles, several Goliath Grouper and Reef Sharks, and all the usual reef fish. Capt Kirle's was particulary loaded with life. Very nice dives.

The weather held out until after we were back, it absolutely poured on the way home from Jupiter.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

@scubadada How is the JDC dive guide? Any word?

 

[scubadada]

@scubadada How is the JDC dive guide? Any word?

Yes, I have heard he is doing fine. I don't think his diagnosis was certain. He had a chamber ride to cover possible DCS. His exposure was not great.

 

[scubadada]

Day 7 of diving, Tuesday May 31, last day

I did two dives this morning with Starfish out of Boynton, Capt Chris and Mody. It was a beautiful sunny day, seas around 2 feet. The water was 81-2 degrees, mild north current, visibility 70-80 ft on the outside, 40-50 ft on the inside.

First dive was outside of Clubhouse with a crossover to Gulfstream/Black Condo. Second dive was outside of Briney Breezes with crossover to Briney Breezes/Jerry's No Name. Very relaxing day of diving, nothing special, all the usual reef fish and reef life, 2:14 of dive time.

A very good week of diving. Got in 19 of 22 planned dives in Jupiter and Boynton Beach. See you next time, good diving to all.