heading to Pompano 12-8 to 12-12

[SpiderSense]

ok. my wife and i are heading to Pompano Beach for an extended weekend. this will be our second dive trip (first and only one was Bonaire for a week) and i'm a bit nervous. drift diving doesn't sound easy. Bonaire was so easy, i hope FL isn't too bad.

i've contacted a few dive charters that were noted on this website. but if anyone has tips or recommendations specific to Pompano area, for newer divers, please let me know.

anyone care to join?

ps. we plan on doing at least 2 dives a day, friday to monday. and would like to see some wrecks and reefs. scared of sharks but kinda want to see them too.

 

[del_mo]

Drift diving is waaaaay easy. Let's see...jump in, drift effortlessly, ascend and the boat comes and picks you up. Some operators may have you hold a flag during the dive, which is a bit of a pain in current.

Wouldn't worry about sharks. If you see one, and you might, it'll probably by a nurse shark and all you have to do is respect them. Don't poke them!

Make sure you have plenty of exposure suit....probably getting chilly.

 

[Divingguy]

South Florida Dive HQ in Pompano took good care of my 18 y/o son and I last April. Drift diving is great. You really just "hover" above the reef, and go with the current. Working the dive flag is a pain in the butt, but other than that it is pretty straightforward. Do make sure you have a sausage and whistle. Have a great time.

 

[matts1w]

I hate to be the guy who brings bad news...

Presenting the the weather this weekend. You can rest assured it aint gonna be anything like Bonaire. Welcome to winter in Florida.

FRIDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO
7 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM...SEAS 7 TO 9 FEET BUILDING TO 11 TO
13 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS BECOMING 15 TO
20 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET. IN THE
GULF STREAM...SEAS 11 TO 13 FEET SUBSIDING TO 9 TO 11 FEET AFTER
MIDNIGHT. INTRACOASTAL WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED AREAS. SLIGHT CHANCE
OF LIGHT SHOWERS THROUGH THE NIGHT.

SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET NEAR
SHORE AND UP TO 9 TO 11 FEET IN THE GULF STREAM. INTRACOASTAL
WATERS CHOPPY IN EXPOSED AREAS.

SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS
5 TO 7 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM...SEAS 8 TO 10 FEET SUBSIDING TO
5 TO 7 FEET AFTER MIDNIGHT. INTRACOASTAL WATERS CHOPPY IN EXPOSED
AREAS.

SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO
7 FEET SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. IN THE GULF
STREAM...SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS CHOPPY IN EXPOSED
AREAS

 

[SpiderSense]

gulp.. current and sea sickness and walking on a rocking boat and getting onto a swaying ladder... would the Keys be better?
maybe we'll just tough it out and try it for a day or two.. hmmm. risky.

 

[KBeck]

Spidersense--
I was hoping to get out Sunday myself. However, if the weather stays as forecasted, I'd be out. I am currently in Denver on business, but will try to keep an eye on the weather and PM you if it starts looking more promising.

 

[matts1w]

gulp.. current and sea sickness and walking on a rocking boat and getting onto a swaying ladder... would the Keys be better?
maybe we'll just tough it out and try it for a day or two.. hmmm. risky.

Spidey:

I love your determination, but the forecast for this weekend is pretty bleak. It is not a matter of trying to "tough out" some dives. If the forecast holds the boats will not be running as diving in six foot plus seas is not usually an option (I know you guys form New Jersey are lauging at me) in this part of the world. I know it says 2-4 inside the reef, but that means near shore. The nearest to shore diving off Key Largo is about five miles out and in the transition area to "beyond the reef."

This is simply part of life in Florida during the winter. Every now and then we get a break between cold fronts where the seas subside enough to dive. Days where the boats are "blown out" are very common. Sadly, it seems like the weather gods have a sick sense of humor as most cold fronts seem to time themsleves with weekends.

Forecast for the Keys:

FRIDAY
NORTH WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS AND GUSTY. SEAS BEYOND THE REEF
6 TO 9 FEET...EXCEPT HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE REEF
2 TO 4 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH. SCATTERED SHOWERS EARLY.

SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS AND GUSTY. SEAS BEYOND THE
REEF 6 TO 9 FEET...EXCEPT HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE
REEF 2 TO 4 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH. ISOLATED SHOWERS.

SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS BEYOND THE REEF 5 TO
8 FEET...EXCEPT HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE REEF 2 TO
3 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH. ISOLATED SHOWERS.

Forecast for East Coast:

FRIDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO
7 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM...SEAS 7 TO 9 FEET BUILDING TO 11 TO
13 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS
6 TO 8 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM...SEAS 11 TO 13 FEET SUBSIDING TO
9 TO 11 FEET AFTER MIDNIGHT. INTRACOASTAL WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED
AREAS. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SHOWERS THROUGH THE NIGHT.

SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET NEAR
SHORE AND UP TO 9 TO 11 FEET IN THE GULF STREAM. INTRACOASTAL
WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED AREAS.

SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS BECOMING EAST 15 TO
20 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET. IN THE
GULF STREAM...SEAS 8 TO 10 FEET SUBSIDING TO 5 TO 7 FEET AFTER
MIDNIGHT. INTRACOASTAL WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED AREAS.

SUNDAY
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET
SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. IN THE GULF STREAM...
SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS CHOPPY IN EXPOSED AREAS.

 

[tech108diver]

Man Matts your really slamin this guys buzz!!...

But you are right. Spidy, I would start taking a good look at some springs more north of where your going to be. It would be a few hours drive but at lest you can garentee viz and good diving

 

[matts1w]

Man Matts your really slamin this guys buzz!!...

But you are right. Spidy, I would start taking a good look at some springs more north of where your going to be. It would be a few hours drive but at lest you can garentee viz and good diving

No way. What is a worse buzz kill?

1. Getting bummer information from me that saves one money and postpones for a weeks a dive getaway where one spends all weekend above water.

or

2. Getting no information, spending bunch of money, and sitting in a hotel room cursing the weather.

 

[SpiderSense]

oh wow. i thought those waves sounded high to me, a cautious beginner. but if you guys think its iffy, then heck no for me.

now do i not even pack the gear? its alot of gear to bring. and no, i wont rent since i just spent all this money on all new gear. hehe

maybe i can turn this trip into a deep sea fishing trip. not sure if my wife would go for it though.. i'll look into short cruises as well. any other thoughts?