Diving the USCG DUANE in February

[scubadada]

I have about 20 dives on the Duane, some in strong current and some in little to no current. I have had more dives with significant current than without. As mentioned, seas will be less predictable and water colder in the winter. I would probably dive a 5 mm with a hood or hooded vest. Be prepared for an alternative site if the Duane is a no-go. The Duane is my favorite wreck in Key Largo.

You have over 1000 dives, assuming some are like this, you should be fine. Good luck

 

[RickI]

It is a great dive but as others have said sometimes there can be a strong current. It can be hard to predict that far offshore with the Florida Current just what might be blowing through. The northern flow Florida Current isn't the only factor as there can sometimes by some strong counter-current gyres spinning off creating a southward current. Currents change change in short order as well. The first time I was on it free diving with fins over 20 years ago, there was a strong southerly current. In more recent times there has been none to moderate current. It really is the luck of the draw and once you are out there.

Here is a now vintage free diving video I shot with the original GoPro Hero camera without underwater image correction in 2009 . It is fuzzy but does show off some of the interesting aspects of the dive.

[video=vimeo;7713631]https://vimeo.com/7713631[/video]

Have fun out there!