- Messages
- 19,718
- Reaction score
- 18,566
- Location
- Philadelphia and Boynton Beach
- # of dives
- 1000 - 2499
So, it's taken me several days to get going on this thread, it's been a very interesting first 5 days.
The airport in Philadelphia was still pretty deserted on the morning of the 10th and most shops and restaurants are still closed, at least early in the morning. The Admiral's Club in B/C is open, but they still walk you back to your seat, take a drink order, and bring you a crappy snack bag. It's better than hanging out in the airport. Everyone at the airport and on the flight down to West Palm wore a mask. National Car was fine, everyone was masked. The National Emerald Isle is closed, all pick ups at at Alamo, not as good as the old days but worked out fine. Everyone at Winn Dixie was wearing a mask when I made my one stop at the grocery for my stay. I stay in my townhouse in Hypoluxo, the only people I come into contact with for the rest of the trip are on the boats.
Friday the 11th. I got off to a very good start. I went out of Boynton with Starfish. The first dive was on the Castor and the second started on the outside of Briney Breezes with a crossover to the inside. There was little current, water temp 84 degrees, only downside was visibility of about 40 feet. The Castor was great with little current, so nice to be able to swim around. There were quite a few Goliath Grouper on the wreck, mainly the stern and off the wreck. The highlight was a large group of GG of the port bow stacked up. You don't see these when the current is up. There was a fair amount of bait and hunting Jacks. One of the resident Bulls was circling the perimeter of the the wreck for much of the dive, probably hoping someone was hunting. The second dive was very relaxing. A Loggerhead straggler swam with me for at least 5 minutes on the outside.
Saturday the 12th. This day was a total loss due to Tropical Depression Nineteen. Nobody went out Boynton to Jupiter. I rode my bike to the Boynton Inlet and waves were breaking over the entire inlet, big swells, whitecaps all over, wind that you had to lean into. Of course, this could always be worse. This is now Hurricane Sally, battering the gulf coast.
Sunday the 13th. My trip in Boynton was cancelled so I went out with Narcosis in West Palm. Seas were a good 2-4 with occasional bigger. Visibility was about 50 feet on the first dive on North Double Ledge and a bit less on Governor's River Walk on the 2nd. Water was 84 degrees. The dive on the reef was very nice even with very brisk current. A couple of Hawksbills, Nurse Sharks, all the usual reef fish. We ran out of reef at the end of the dive. The current on the wrecks was ripping, hold on for dear life ripping. To make it worse, there were no Goliath Grouper or sharks, maybe they were hiding from the current. It was a bit of a short dive as after being blown off the last wreck, there is nothing. I was glad to have gotten to go diving.
Monday the 14th. Went out with Starfish again from Boynton. Seas were 2-3, occ bigger. Brisk current on both dives with 84 degree water and visibility of about 50 feet. First dive was from outside of Clubhouse with crossover to the inside. Second dive a little farther north from outside of Black Condo to the inside. A couple of Loggerheads, a huge Southern Ray, a couple of Nurse sharks and all the usual reef fish. A good day.
Today, Tuesday the 15th. I went up to Jupiter and went out with JDC for a 3 tanker. A beautiful day, seas 2-3, little current, water 84 degrees. Did dives at Area 51, Spadefish Point, and Bonnie's. Three or 4 Hawksbills, a Loggerhead, many Nurse Sharks, a few Reef Sharks, huge free swimming Green Moray, the usual reef fish. A very relaxing day.
I have 6 more days, mostly in Boynton with a couple of dives on the Castor, back to Jupiter for another 3 tanker on Friday. It has not been the smoothest trip to date, but I'm extremely happy to be diving. I have some photos from the Castor and from Jupiter that I will post when I get around to downloading my camera. Right now, it's time for a beer and then make dinner.
Take care, stay healthy, good diving to all,
Craig
The airport in Philadelphia was still pretty deserted on the morning of the 10th and most shops and restaurants are still closed, at least early in the morning. The Admiral's Club in B/C is open, but they still walk you back to your seat, take a drink order, and bring you a crappy snack bag. It's better than hanging out in the airport. Everyone at the airport and on the flight down to West Palm wore a mask. National Car was fine, everyone was masked. The National Emerald Isle is closed, all pick ups at at Alamo, not as good as the old days but worked out fine. Everyone at Winn Dixie was wearing a mask when I made my one stop at the grocery for my stay. I stay in my townhouse in Hypoluxo, the only people I come into contact with for the rest of the trip are on the boats.
Friday the 11th. I got off to a very good start. I went out of Boynton with Starfish. The first dive was on the Castor and the second started on the outside of Briney Breezes with a crossover to the inside. There was little current, water temp 84 degrees, only downside was visibility of about 40 feet. The Castor was great with little current, so nice to be able to swim around. There were quite a few Goliath Grouper on the wreck, mainly the stern and off the wreck. The highlight was a large group of GG of the port bow stacked up. You don't see these when the current is up. There was a fair amount of bait and hunting Jacks. One of the resident Bulls was circling the perimeter of the the wreck for much of the dive, probably hoping someone was hunting. The second dive was very relaxing. A Loggerhead straggler swam with me for at least 5 minutes on the outside.
Saturday the 12th. This day was a total loss due to Tropical Depression Nineteen. Nobody went out Boynton to Jupiter. I rode my bike to the Boynton Inlet and waves were breaking over the entire inlet, big swells, whitecaps all over, wind that you had to lean into. Of course, this could always be worse. This is now Hurricane Sally, battering the gulf coast.
Sunday the 13th. My trip in Boynton was cancelled so I went out with Narcosis in West Palm. Seas were a good 2-4 with occasional bigger. Visibility was about 50 feet on the first dive on North Double Ledge and a bit less on Governor's River Walk on the 2nd. Water was 84 degrees. The dive on the reef was very nice even with very brisk current. A couple of Hawksbills, Nurse Sharks, all the usual reef fish. We ran out of reef at the end of the dive. The current on the wrecks was ripping, hold on for dear life ripping. To make it worse, there were no Goliath Grouper or sharks, maybe they were hiding from the current. It was a bit of a short dive as after being blown off the last wreck, there is nothing. I was glad to have gotten to go diving.
Monday the 14th. Went out with Starfish again from Boynton. Seas were 2-3, occ bigger. Brisk current on both dives with 84 degree water and visibility of about 50 feet. First dive was from outside of Clubhouse with crossover to the inside. Second dive a little farther north from outside of Black Condo to the inside. A couple of Loggerheads, a huge Southern Ray, a couple of Nurse sharks and all the usual reef fish. A good day.
Today, Tuesday the 15th. I went up to Jupiter and went out with JDC for a 3 tanker. A beautiful day, seas 2-3, little current, water 84 degrees. Did dives at Area 51, Spadefish Point, and Bonnie's. Three or 4 Hawksbills, a Loggerhead, many Nurse Sharks, a few Reef Sharks, huge free swimming Green Moray, the usual reef fish. A very relaxing day.
I have 6 more days, mostly in Boynton with a couple of dives on the Castor, back to Jupiter for another 3 tanker on Friday. It has not been the smoothest trip to date, but I'm extremely happy to be diving. I have some photos from the Castor and from Jupiter that I will post when I get around to downloading my camera. Right now, it's time for a beer and then make dinner.
Take care, stay healthy, good diving to all,
Craig
Very casual...
