Trip Report Back in the water in Florida 2024, last visit of the year

[scubadada]

I needed to get a little work done in the townhouse so came down on Sunday. I was hoping to dive on Monday but Walker's called me on Sunday afternoon to cancel due to wind and big seas. Today, I got the A/C serviced and am having some work done on the roof. I'm hoping to get out in Jupiter tomorrow and Thursday and out of Palm Beach on Friday before heading back home on Saturday,

 

[scubadada]

Oh well, another day of riding my bike. I was the only one signed up for the JDC dive tomorrow morning. Seas are still up, but improving. I hope I have better luck for Thursday and Friday. Fall and winter can be tough.

 

[Johnoly]

...Fall and winter can be tough.

And the wave forecast changes are not just on the water. Almost every 3rd week of December NOAA runs software updates and it can cut accuracy down to 2 days in advance of your target dive date(some wild swings seen). During the last half of December, it is always best to look at wind direction and barometric pressure maps(ie fronts) instead of text based wave heights. The schedule usually goes like this> 3rd week software update. 4th week the forecasters are gone on holiday(the interns are running it). 1st week of January is intense 'back-testing' to compare the forecast generated to what has actually happened/observed> then put tweeks to the models in place. In summary>don't rely 100% on wave forecasts the last half of December, watch the wind direction & speed.

I agree with you for Thurs/Fri and we are jumping off a marina just north of yours on Friday for a hunting trip. My own guess based on reports is we might have to bounce around to find patches of vis but we'll get more dive reports on Thursday. Good news is that we should have a moderate ~2knt current in the 85-95 foot stuff and that will clean out viz. Just a tip, but put an extra vest & windbreaker in your bag, temps might be 74 on the bottom. I've been out of the water for a month due to weather and meetings so looking forward to some bugs. Keep posting all your conditions and I'll do the same.

 

[scubadada]

So, I got lucky today for JDC. There were insufficient divers on the AM and PM boat to go out today. They combined the groups and we went out this afternoon with my friend Capt. Ryan.

It was a warm, sunny day, about 80 degrees. The wind started out very mild and built a bit. The seas started out about 2 feet and built to 2-3, occasional 4. The current was mild to moderate north and the water temp was 79 degrees. Visibility was good, 50-60 feet.

The first dive was at Capt Kirle's. The usual reef fish were plentiful. Good schools of Spadefish, Horse-eye Jacks and grunts. Only a couple of green morays, a single small reef shark, no turtles or goliath grouper. The second dive was at Loggerhead. Considerably less usual reef fish. There was a very large southern ray out in the sand, a single reef shark, no turtles or goliath grouper. I'm sorry to say, but the reefs in Jupiter looks pretty sad. Parts of Loggerhead were like a desert, nothing like it used to be. I've been diving here since 2007.

 

[scubadada]

I went out of Riviera Beach Marina this morning with Walker's Dive Charters. The day started cool, low 60s, wore a fleece jacket and took my boat coat with me. The boat was full with 13 divers. Went out with Capt. Brian, guide Mike, and mate Christina.

Seas started out at around 2 feet and built a little as the wind picked up. Air temp never got above 70 and with the wind the surface interval was quite chilly, I was very glad I had my boat coat, many others were envious. Water temp was 79 degrees, mild north current. Visibility on the 1st dive was superb, 60-80 feet! Second dive was nearly as good at around 60 feet.

First dive was on Bath & Tennis and it was a good one. The reef looked very good, especially compared to my dives in Jupiter yesterday. There were many huge schools of grunt that looked like large underwater rivers. All the usual reef fish were out as well as several green morays. The highlight was a great hammerhead out in the sand off the reef.

The second dive was at North Breakers. Several nurse sharks, more green morays, a very big southern ray swimming off the reef, and a huge school of spadefish. All the usual reef fish and huge schools of grunt again.

A very nice day of diving to end this short visit. See you all next year

 

[Johnoly]

A very nice day of diving to end this short visit. See you all next year

We went north, but I saw you guys behind us as we all were exiting the inlet. It was a great day in West Palm Bch !! I'm normally 2 hrs drive time but on the way home it took 4 hours (ouch) with the holiday traffic. The Orlando airport is just jammed and the parking garages are sold out and full already. Have a smooth trip home, but get there early.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Johnoly

Were you on a charter or private?

Ha, seeing the great hammerhead made me think of you. Thanks for the travel news, I'm dropping off a rental at PBI and my wife is picking me up in Philadelphia.

Edit: I saw your report, that's a lot of bugs