Hi there, Donnad. I couldn't help but notice your mention of one of my favorite places. The Flower Gardens are great, the oil rig dives are better, and Stetson Bank is one of my favorite dive sites in the world when the water is good. Capt. Frank (the large and loud Viking with the painted toenails) and Melanie are great people. I know you didn't ask, but here are some pointers:
1. Take seasickness medications even if you've never needed them before. Take them even if it's calm when you leave. I guarantee you that several people on your trip will have the 3 most miserable days of their lives. Don't let it be you. The Spree is a converted crew boat, and it rocks and rolls quite a bit. You will be issued a garbage bag to take to your bunk just in case. You've picked good dates for good weather, but still take something before you leave the dock. You can stop taking the meds once you get your sea legs.
2. The entry from the side is not as far as it looks, but it's quite a leap (it's about a six foot drop, but it looks like you're jumping off the roof of a building when you're standing there). Hold on to everything tightly. If you have a light clipped to your BC, make sure to hold it firmly so it doesn't hit you in the face.
3. You'll have a full briefing on exiting the water. Pay close attention to it. Boarding those ladders when the sea is up can be a challenge.
4. Navigate conservatively. The banks are meadows of coral, and it all looks alike. Keep the mooring line in view for your first dives and don't venture far. The whale shark has the exact same chance of swimming 30 feet from the mooring as 300 feet from it. Every problem I've seen at the Gardens started with divers getting lost.
5. Don't spend your whole dive with your nose in the reef. The mantas will be above you. Look up every now and then.
6. It's very easy to lose track of your depth in the oil rigs, especially if the water is very clear. Be careful there. Look for the spinner sharks around the perimeter of the rig.
7. Change clothes in your bunk with the curtain drawn. You'll be bunking with several others. It's funny when a wave hits and somebody comes tumbling out of a cabin with their swimsuit tangled around their feet, but I'm glad it's never happened to me. In fact, take only one small piece of luggage and walk briskly when first allowed to board the boat. Claim a bunk by putting the luggage on it. Try to get a lower bunk. You'll have plenty of time to go back and haul the rest of your stuff.
Say hi to Frank and Melanie for me and tell them I'll see them later in August.
Many of the photos in the "Underwater Gallery #1" on my website (
http://claycoleman.tripod.com) were taken at the Flower Gardens. Have a blast and let us know about it when you get back. -Clay