Currents in Key Largo

[Black Dog]

I read alot about the nonexistent to fierce currents in Key Largo especially at the Speigal Grove.

Are they predictable tidal currents? I live in on the coast in the northeast and we have very predictable currents. We can by a tide book that will give you the exact times for the current direction and time of change.

Are these the same or are they related to some other factor like the gulf stream? Does anyone plan their dives around the current?

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

I read alot about the nonexistent to fierce currents in Key Largo especially at the Speigal Grove.

Are they predictable tidal currents? I live in on the coast in the northeast and we have very predictable currents. We can by a tide book that will give you the exact times for the current direction and time of change.

Are these the same or are they related to some other factor like the gulf stream? Does anyone plan their dives around the current?

Key Largo currents are influenced primarily by Gulf Stream proximity, which changes constantly. While unpredictable, currents rarely create problems on shallow reef dives. Deep wrecks/reefs are a different story, as they are more exposed to the Gulf Stream and her eddies. Diving the deep wrecks/reefs without current is rare. It happens, but you can't plan on it! Instead, prepare for moderate to strong currents on the deep sites in Key Largo, and consider yourself blessed if the current is nil to mild when you get there. I hope this helps.

Dive safely, and enjoy!

 

[FlIrishman]

Ya can usually count on the Duane, Bibb and Spiegle Grove to have enough current to have your body straight out while decoing on the lines at 20 ft. Turn your head the wrong way and it can rip off your face mask.
I've never see any current on the Eagle.

 

[TavernierBob]

Currents are a fact of life in the Ocean. They're nothing to be afraid of but rather respected and part of the planning for a successful dive. It's been said you can count on currents on some of the deeper wrecks and not on others. There doesn't appear to be predictable ways to predict the currents as there are in the NE and NW as the tidal flows, proximity of the Gulf Stream, depth, wind and distance from the main reef systems all play roles in the flows. I've been down here for over 12 years and have had heavy currents on shallow reefs and deeper wrecks/reefs as well as no currents on those same sites at different times of the same day. The key is to find an operator that can utilize the conditions to reduce the risks for a successful dive. This last Saturday we went out to the cutters Bibb and Duane and were the only boat within view. The seas were pretty sporty 3-8' but had a group that wanted to dive. We had a very low flow of current but the surface currents (wind generated) made the pickup and drop more challenging. Everyone on the boat made the dives with no problems but I'm sure it wasn't the most "normal" procedure. It was just the best way for those conditions. We were able to hide behind the reef for our SI and then went to a couple of other sites. During the entire day of diving we only saw one other dive boat that looked at the same sites, tried to tie up on a mooring ball and then left the area. We had the entire ocean to ourselves, everyone on the boat raved about the diving and all they saw and came back the next day to do it again. Unfortunately the wind had dropped and we had to offer more "normal" diving procedures. This is a little long winded but the point I'm trying to make is ask the dive operator as to what their procedures are if the conditions are challenging. Do they drift? Will they hot drop you? Will they pick you up hot? Do they stay tied to a mooring ball, no matter what?
Do they have a mate on the boat that is capable of helping you in the water, if necessary? If you do get "lost" will they come and pick you up or just throw you a line and hope you can pull yourself back to the boat? Will they jam as many people on their boats as they can or do they actually limit the numbers to a comfortable level? You might be surprised at their answers and even more surprised at what actually happens on the boat. Conditions are relative to one's experience and some operators flex with the changing conditions while others try to stick to the same protocol no matter what. Good diving and I hope this will give you a little more information in making your choice.
Bob

 

[Amberjack]

Hi Tavernier Bob!

I'm a newbie coming to dive with you at the end of May and I was really glad to read your post, especially:

Currents are a fact of life in the Ocean. They're nothing to be afraid of but rather respected and part of the planning for a successful dive.

We've requested some shallow reef dives appropriate to our experience while we're there with you, but I'm still a bit anxious about how to handle more challenging conditions. Being better versed on the lingo would certainly help, so could you indulge the newbie and explain what these comments mean:

Will they hot drop you? Will they pick you up hot?...If you do get "lost" will they come and pick you up or just throw you a line and hope you can pull yourself back to the boat?

By the sounds of it, inexperienced divers wouldn't have fared well on the dive you described, but if a current kicks up at a shallow, reef dive, do you ever have to tell those divers to thumb it?

We are SO looking forward to this trip - I would hate to miss even one dive!

 

[TavernierBob]

Amberjack,
Don't worry. We'll take you to sites that are compatible to your experience level. The folks that were out had never done that type of diving but they all listened to our instructions, and none had any problems. That's the key to safer diving. Listen to the recommendations from the crew and make sure there is a "what if" plan. Hot dropping is positioning the boat up current or up wind and dropping divers ahead of the place they want to be. It's much easier than pulling yourself against the wind and current to a mooring ball/line. You simply drift a short distance to your target and go down. Picking up hot is after reaching the surface, you simply let go of the mooring and drift a short distance and the boat will come in and pick you up. This makes it much more comfortable than trying to hang on to the line and getting beaten up by the sea state. While being picked up you and the boat are riding the waves at the same time so instead of fighting the conditions, you're going with them. We always try to take experience levels into consideration and make the dive as easy as possible.
It doesn't have to be hard. If, for some reason, you're not able to get back to the designated place for your ascent, we're ready to move the boat and come pick you up rather than making you fight your way back to the boat. Many of the boats in the Keys tie up to a mooring ball and won't move it until everyone has made it back. We've had to "rescue" numerous divers from both private and commercial boats that weren't able to "make it back". We do the work, you enjoy the dive. If you're open to our instructions, we have the experience to help you learn and grow while enjoying the experience. If you insist on doing something that we don't recommend, we're not going to force you to do anything you're not comfortable with and we'll be there to pick you up if your plan doesn't work out. Don't get the wrong impression. Conditions down here are generally pretty good but when they are more challenging we're able to change our type of operations to cope with the changes. Don't worry. We'll take good care of you and if you have any further questions don't hesitate asking. You may want to e-mail through our web site rather than on a discussion board as we're much quicker that way. We're just taking a break this AM and having a nice cup of coffee before hitting the work scene. See you in May!
Bob

 

[Walter]

I've never see any current on the Eagle.

You've been lucky. Currents on the Eagle are similar to those on the Duane, Bibb & Grove.

 

[Amberjack]

Thanks Bob - I didn't even know you were on the SB until I saw this post, so I thought I'd drop a line. It all sounds great! I promise, we'll be very good listeners!

We are very excited - see you in May!