current key largo info?

[munkispank]

OK- I had a spring dive dissapointment last weekend and I am in need of getting wet. Planning to drive to Key largo next weekend- or the one after- what are the current water temps? - how about the sea conditions- I have checked the mollasses reef bouy, but can't really understand it, beign a landlubber and all....

 

[DandyDon]

Okay, here is the current report from MLRF-1:

0100 GMT on 01/20/2004:

Wind Direction (WDIR): WNW ( 300 deg true ) Wind is out of the west north west, coming in from Marco Island way.

Wind Speed (WSPD): 15 kts It's windy, about 17 mph, so expect some waves.

Wind Gust (GST): 17 kts The wind picks up a bit at times.

Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): 29.88 in B-pressure is increasing, which suggests good weather
Pressure Tendency (PTDY): +0.06 in ( Rising )

Air Temperature (ATMP): 71.1 °F You won't need a jacket & cap, until you get wet, then you will.

Water Temperature (WTMP): 75.2 °F The surface water is a little cool, so most would wear a 3 mil wetsuit for Scuba.

Salinity (SAL): 35.97 The ocean is still salty. :laughing:

If it stays that windy, you'll need a little extra training boarding the boat; don't want to have it go up in the air, then down on your head.

(pause) Okay, you're an AOW who lives a lot closer to the ocean than I do; you should be okay. If you're going down on the wrecks, you may hit cooler water, so you'll want to wear a neop hood or beanie, I think, maybe a heavier wetsuit, if you have one.

If the wind substains at 20 knots (about 23 mph), many captains will cancel. The only bad part of Keys diving is that there's no other side diving.

So, go have some fun! :59: I'm headed for Cozumel this weekend, then there in March...

don

 

[SmokeAire]

Dove Key Largo this weekend 17/18. Sat. was a two tank afternoon dive and a one tank night dive. Sunday was a two tank morning dive. The water temp varied from 77 to 69 degrees. For the daylight dives I wore the 7mm top of my FJ. The first dives I was just fine but by the end of the second dives I was getting a bit cold. No hood or gloves. Most people wore skins and probably 1-3mm suits and several people sat out the second dive because of being cold. On the night dive I wore my full 7mm FJ and was fine. The problem comes during your surface time. The wind was blowing and the divers that didn't wear some sort of cover on the boat got chilled, need to figure a surface wind chill factor. Those that wore hoods or some sort of head covering semed to be better off than those that didn't.

Waves were 3-5 feet maybe more so it was a bit rough on the surface. A few divers waved goodbye to some of their unsecured stuff as it went overboard. Timing was important when entering and exit the water. Depths averaged around 30 ft. and there was bottom surge. On Sun. dive at Mike's Wreck at Elbow there was a strong current. This could have been a drift dive. I got out early because I just got tired.

Vis was about 35 feet. Lots of particulate in the water. I didn't bother with my camera because of the backscatter I would have gotten.

I enjoyed the dives though but some did test my skills which I enjoyed also.
Good critters: Reef and Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays, huge Midnight Parrot fish, smaller rays/skates (need to consult my fish book), curious Barracudas.

Just plan on the air/water temp. If you get seasick plan for that, the bucket was used by a few divers, thankfully I didn't suffer any ill effects.
Hope this helps.
Chuck

 

[munkispank]

thanks for the info. I have never been diving in the keys in winter time, so had no basis for comparison. I was freezing last weekend though at the springs- literally freezing. I'm quite soft on water temps so I might reevaluate my timing!!!
Thanks again for the recent info.

 

[DandyDon]

Dove Key Largo this weekend 17/18. Sat. was a two tank afternoon dive and a one tank night dive. Sunday was a two tank morning dive. The water temp varied from 77 to 69 degrees. For the daylight dives I wore the 7mm top of my FJ. The first dives I was just fine but by the end of the second dives I was getting a bit cold. No hood or gloves.

I've seen people dive with FJ Coats only, and their legs get exposed to abrasions and cold as well. Boy, I'm just not a FJ fan.

Most people wore skins and probably 1-3mm suits and several people sat out the second dive because of being cold. On the night dive I wore my full 7mm FJ and was fine. The problem comes during your surface time. The wind was blowing and the divers that didn't wear some sort of cover on the boat got chilled, need to figure a surface wind chill factor. Those that wore hoods or some sort of head covering semed to be better off than those that didn't..

I posted a new thread once on the importance of a warm cap on SIs, and caught a lot of grief from one member (whom I later encountered on Deco-Stop, which I now avoid), but they really help. Always good to keep a good jacket handy, too. I got chilled this same way in Cozumel this time last year.

Waves were 3-5 feet maybe more so it was a bit rough on the surface. A few divers waved goodbye to some of their unsecured stuff as it went overboard.

I got blown out for 3 days in Key Largo once. Right before that, my last dive was in 8-12 footers! It happens. I get upset with divers who leave their gear unsecurred on a moving boat, now that I've learned better - the hard way.

Wish I could do Key Largo in 3-4 footers, but then - I'm already booked for Cozy.

Hapy Bubbles, don

 

[SmokeAire]

I've seen people dive with FJ Coats only, and their legs get exposed to abrasions and cold as well. Boy, I'm just not a FJ fan.

Admittedly I did get a few scrapes due to the surge wearing just the jacket. However I do feel that a FJ is a most versatile piece of dive clothing. I've never had to call a dive due to the cold.

I posted a new thread once on the importance of a warm cap on SIs, and caught a lot of grief from one member (whom I later encountered on Deco-Stop, which I now avoid), but they really help. Always good to keep a good jacket handy, too. I got chilled this same way in Cozumel this time last year.

You are so correct. The importance of warm head gear above and below the water can not be over emphasized. Over 70% of ones body heat is lost through the head. There were about 3 divers that wore neo-p head coverings while diving and they were the last to complain about being cold, and were wearing skins or light weight wetsuits. Keep the head warm!

With just the correct clothing, nothing as elaborate as a dry suit, you can dive year round in FL.


Chuck