Trip Report Back in the water in Florida 2024 #4

[scubadada]

My flight down was scheduled for Thursday the 26th. I was quite certain that it would be cancelled. Much to my surprise, the flight took off on time and was perfectly routine, a couple areas of mild turbulence

I was scheduled to go out of Riviera Beach on Friday with Walker's Charters. I was not at all surprised that they had to cancel. I had both a text and a voicemail by the time I landed in Palm Beach, good communication.

Saturday Sept 28, dive day #1

I went out with Starfish from Boynton Harbor Marina with Capt. Chris, Zach and Madi. There were only seven divers, luxury. It was a partly sunny day, warm and humid. Seas were as advertised, mostly 2-3 feet

First dive was on the Castor, brisk north current, visibility only 20-25 feet, water temp 83 degrees. There were 6-10 Goliath Grouper on the stern and 3 on the bow. Nice group of Barracuda on the bow and a large school of Spadefish on the stern. Not a great dive for the Castor but very nice to be back in the water in SE FL.

Second dive was on Black Condo, a beautiful high relief reef. Moderate north current, visibility again 20-25 feet, water temp 84 degrees. A nice Loggerhead turtle and all the usual reef fish.

The weather held off until we pulled back into the marina and then it absolutely poured. Our timing was good. Not too bad for just 2 days after Helene.

 

[scubadada]

Sunday Sept 29, dive day #2

2 dives this morning with JDC off Republic IV, Capt. Ryan, Matt, and Sofia. It was a beautiful sunny day. Seas were around a foot, water temp 83-84, brisk north current on 1st dive, moderate on 2nd, visibility 40-50 feet. Only 4 divers on the boat, luxury.

First dive Capt. Kirle's though Bonnie's, second dive Loggerhead through Julie's. Several nurse sharks, a few reef sharks, a southern ray, one green turtle, a couple hawksbills, several goliath grouper and a couple of juveniles, all the usual reef fish.

A very nice day diving.

First time I've been out with JDC since the shop was torn down

 

[scubadada]

Monday Sept 30, dive day #3

Two tanks with Walker's Dive Charters out of Riviera Beach. Capt. John, Christina guide, Autumn mate, Mike dived. Beautiful mostly sunny day. Seas around 1 foot. Water temp 82-84 degrees, brisk north current, visibility 40-50 feet.

First dive was Tear Drop, Ron's Rock, Middle Earth and beginning of Flower Gardens. Second dive was Flower Gardens. I was surprised at the number of lobster I saw, I was not looking for them. Many green morays, all the usual reef fish. On the second dive there was a very cute, tiny smooth trunkfish baby and an absolutely beautiful purple crowned sea goddess.

 

[Johnoly]

...Walker's Dive Charters out ......, Mike dived.

Good & Bad. Good Mike got a chance to relax & dive,,,but Bad it's been a really slow September and most of the charters have not been full. Those huge bait balls hugging the Goliaths should now be moving inshore since it's October. I expect well start to see some incredible photos from the BHB divers capture the zillions of them west of the snorkel trail..
Thanks for the triple conditions reports !!

 

[scubadada]

Good & Bad. Good Mike got a chance to relax & dive,,,but Bad it's been a really slow September and most of the charters have not been full. Those huge bait balls hugging the Goliaths should now be moving inshore since it's October. I expect well start to see some incredible photos from the BHB divers capture the zillions of them west of the snorkel trail..
Thanks for the triple conditions reports !!

We had 10 paid divers today, it was very comfortable. We had room for Mike to come out and dive for fun with his camera. It looked like several other charters did not go out today, too bad. Riviera Beach Marina has several very good operators, seems quite competitive. I'm going out with Walker's again in the morning. The reefs are looking quite good.

 

[scubadada]

Tuesday Oct 1, dive day #4

Two tanker with Walker's out of Riviera. Another absolutely gorgeous day, mostly sunny. Captain Bill, Mike and Christina took turns guiding and being the mate. Only 5 divers on the boat today, luxury for the divers, too bad for the op. The seas were flat. The first dive had a very, very brisk north current, the second dive had a very brisk north current. The water temp was 83-4 degrees and the visibility was around 50 feet, on the green side.

The first dive started at Split Reef, went through North Double Ledges, across the jump to Drift Spot and we hit the beginning of Nun's at the end of the dive. That's a pretty good distance. The second dive was all of Mid Reef.

Didn't see anything exceptional. all the usual reef fish as we flew by.

I got to dive 4 of 5 days on this short visit and had a great time visiting Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach.

See you next time

 

[ABay Diver]

Tuesday Oct 1, dive day #4

Two tanker with Walker's out of Riviera. Another absolutely gorgeous day, mostly sunny. Captain Bill, Mike and Christina took turns guiding and being the mate. Only 5 divers on the boat today, luxury for the divers, too bad for the op. The seas were flat. The first dive had a very, very brisk north current, the second dive had a very brisk north current. The water temp was 83-4 degrees and the visibility was around 50 feet, on the green side.

The first dive started at Split Reef, went through North Double Ledges, across the jump to Drift Spot and we hit the beginning of Nun's at the end of the dive. That's a pretty good distance. The second dive was all of Mid Reef.

Didn't see anything exceptional. all the usual reef fish as we flew by.

I got to dive 4 of 5 days on this short visit and had a great time visiting Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach.

See you next time

All the referenced dives were drift dives? I have very limited experience in that area but thats what i recall is the standard dive? Hope to get back there some day.

 

[scubadada]

All the referenced dives were drift dives? I have very limited experience in that area but thats what i recall is the standard dive? Hope to get back there some day.

Yes

 

[tekkydiver]

Tuesday Oct 1, dive day #4

Two tanker with Walker's out of Riviera. Another absolutely gorgeous day, mostly sunny. Captain Bill, Mike and Christina took turns guiding and being the mate. Only 5 divers on the boat today, luxury for the divers, too bad for the op. The seas were flat. The first dive had a very, very brisk north current, the second dive had a very brisk north current. The water temp was 83-4 degrees and the visibility was around 50 feet, on the green side.

The first dive started at Split Reef, went through North Double Ledges, across the jump to Drift Spot and we hit the beginning of Nun's at the end of the dive. That's a pretty good distance. The second dive was all of Mid Reef.

Didn't see anything exceptional. all the usual reef fish as we flew by.

I got to dive 4 of 5 days on this short visit and had a great time visiting Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach.

See you next time

5 divers is bad for the op, but crushing for guides and mates who rely on tips

 

[scubadada]

5 divers is bad for the op, but crushing for guides and mates who rely on tips

That is really what I meant. Mike and Christina worked very hard, in and out of the water. I left twice my normal tip