Diving offshore Brevard County

[SoggyPretzel]

I am looking for some people who have experience diving off shore in Brevard County, especially out of Port Canaveral. I have spent years fishing in this area but I have only dove it once in relatively shallow (40ft) water. This was a lobstering dive with the viz at about 8-10ft. All my other dives in Brevard have been beach dives at Wobasso or near Sebastian. This past weekend I was fishing at 8-A reef and I really, really wanted to jump in and see what it looks like from the other side of the water. The conditions were great and there was a boat diving near us.

I know that the stars and planets have to be aligned to get favorable conditions in our area, but when they are good, how is the diving? I have heard people say that the lobstering is excellent at times.

What are the currents like? When the viz is good, how good does it get? I realize that there is no living coral like there is down south, but is the bottom structure more than just sand? What are the best dive sites out of PC. Any input would be appreciated!

 

[cudachaser]

8-A has decent diving. A lot of people dive Pelican Flats (80-130ft). There are no commercial charter dive boats...just private. Spearfishing and lobstering are some of the best in Florida.

Usually there is a substantial current and many divers bottle dive (drift dive). In mid summer there is almost always a thermocline at 40 or 50ft. Visibilities range from 0 to "top to bottom" Average is about 15 to 20ft.

The guys at the Fishing & Diving Center in Cape Canaveral can help you out alot since they service most of the regulars.

I also dive Wabasso and the other beaches

 

[SoggyPretzel]

Thanks Cuda. I am familiar with the Fishing and Dive Center, but I haven't been in there in years. I'll stop by and meet all the folks there. Is there a way to get info on water condiions and clarity before heading out? I.E. I only make the drive to Wobasso or Sebastian if the seas are 2 ft or less and the wind has been out of the west for at least 24 hours. Any thing similar to look for offshore? Would the guys at the Fishing and Dive center know current water conditions?

I've heard that Pelican Flats is the place to go for lobster and hunting, but I would like to get a few dives in at closer and shallower spots first until I feel like I know the area better. There have been days that I get nervous on top of the water that far out.

Besides 8-A do you ever dive Chris Benson reef? I always catch fish there and I have seen the bottom in 30ft of water before when the conditions were perfect. It seems like it might be a pretty good hunting and lobster spot.

 

[bobsea43]

I have been wanting to take my boat up to Canaveral and dive and recently e-mailed a friend of mine that lives up there and has a boat. I have dove once up there with him some years ago. Here is what he told me about diving out of Port Canaveral.
Quote
Diving off the Cape in May and June is usually good. Of course, wind plays
a big factor in the surface conditions. But usually bottom conditions are
good. Viz can be as much as 100 feet on a good day. The bottom temps,
while not necessarily warm, are not usually cold. The cold water seems to
come in every year just in time for lobster season. Understand, while 100
feet is possible, 25 to 50 is much closer to the norm. When the cold water
arrives, black out conditions are not uncommon.

Another factor off the Cape is the abundance of spots close to each other.
You may get blacked out on one, but have 40 plus on another only 2-3 miles
away.

Also, read the fishing reports from offshore in the paper. An indication of
clear water may be the bottom catches. It seems when the the catches are
good, the water is reasonably clear and the temps are also reasonable. No
guarantees, but a good indicator.
unquote
bobsea43

 

[DiveBandit]

The guys at the Fishing & Diving Center in Cape Canaveral can help you out alot since they service most of the regulars.

Is that the shop just south of Port Canavaril where the cruise ships dock ?

 

[cudachaser]

Their address is 6300 N Atlantic Ave (AIA), right at the 4th traffic lite south of the port. They have great prices on scuba gear, their main line is Oceanic