Dive Report - Navarre Pier 12/26/2008

[Hetland]

XRay, David P., and myself thought we would give Navarre a shot today. Expectations were not high, as the surfers had us outnumbered 3 to 1 or so. Despite the unfavorable conditions (moderate surf and surge) we still pulled off a decent dive (42 minutes/58 degrees). Viz was 20-25 at best, and there was lots of suspended particulate. The good spots are still filling in with sand, but there are still critters to be found around. Sadly, my photos are pretty crappy, but it was still better than watching football. We did our debrief up the street at a newer place that had great nachos and homemade chips (Barry will have to remind me of the name)

 

[MRXRAY]

Johnny Huston's is the name of the joint. Real nice Bar/Grille place with lots of big screens.

My photos are much the same as Hetlands. I have a few other shots to add:

Octopus:

30" Grouper:

Small Flounder:

 

[DoubleHoseDiver]

At least you got to dive and thanks for the photos and report. Tim

 

[denisegg]

58 degrees!!! I am ready for the water to warm back up already..:depressed:

 

[Dave C]

Hetland,
FYI, the third picture down is actually a colonial tunicate (sea squirt) called "sea pork". I'd seen it before, and I used to think it was a sponge until I was looking at a guy's pictures on Flickr of the inlet at Panama City. He identified it there as "sea pork", and since he is a apparently a marine biology grad student, I presume he's correct. Here's his picture: Sea Pork (Colonial Tunicate) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

He's got some other photos on his site that may also be of interest to you.

 

[Hetland]

Hetland,
FYI, the third picture down is actually a colonial tunicate (sea squirt) called "sea pork". I'd seen it before, and I used to think it was a sponge until I was looking at a guy's pictures on Flickr of the inlet at Panama City. He identified it there as "sea pork", and since he is a apparently a marine biology grad student, I presume he's correct. Here's his picture: Sea Pork (Colonial Tunicate) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

He's got some other photos on his site that may also be of interest to you.

LOL, I was actually first told it was a "soft coral", but guessed "sponge" was more accurate (though I've never touched one, so I don't know it's consistency). But I NEVER would have guessed it to be a tunicate, even though there are plenty in the area (that admittedly look VERY different from porky there).

Thanks for the correction. They are always welcome and appreciated

 

[MRXRAY]

That particular species doesn not appear to be in my Reef Creature ID Book. Very nice input though, thanks Dave

 

[BellaBeachGirl]

That's awesome, I didn't even know there was that much to see there! My husband and I live in Navarre, maybe next time you go we could tag along? I'd rather not try it out myself, never having been out there. Well I really like the picture of the sea pork anyway!

 

[Hetland]

I've got a few more Navarre Pier photos here: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/3642

Sadly, most of the good stuff is starting to cover up at Navarre. I'm thinking that once it warms up a little, some tropicals will swim their way back into the remaining rubble. Otherwise, we'll have to wait for a storm to uncover a few more spots.

Luckily, there are other good spots to dive in your area.

Keep checking the board, and feel free to invite yourself along to any of our group dives that are posted here.

-h

That's awesome, I didn't even know there was that much to see there! My husband and I live in Navarre, maybe next time you go we could tag along? I'd rather not try it out myself, never having been out there. Well I really like the picture of the sea pork anyway!

 

[MRXRAY]

If you want to see more pictures of Navarre Beach, check out my PhotoBucket! (The link is below). They are categorized by the date of the dive on the left and where. I'm sure you figure out quickly that I dive Navarre Pier a lot! So what did you miss out on...... Sea Turtles, Octopi (sp?), Red drum, snapper, AJ's, Tons of various reef fish, Sting Ray, Grouper, Flounder, and so, so much more!

That's awesome, I didn't even know there was that much to see there! My husband and I live in Navarre, maybe next time you go we could tag along? I'd rather not try it out myself, never having been out there. Well I really like the picture of the sea pork anyway!