Is it better to dive in the morning or afternoon?

[farsidefan1]

NIght

 

[James R]

In order by my preference: 1) night 2) morning 3) afternoon

I don't mind getting up early to dive...I can sleep when I'm 80

 

[jupitermermaid]

I will have to agree with the majority on this thread. The morning dive is usually the calmest, clearest vis, better temp. Afternoon dives are trickier, as winds may pick up, vis may get poorer, and, during rain season, rain and hurricanes may pop up out of nowhere! Stick to the mornings, go with the afternoons if you have the opportuity, and dive the night dives that are offered. We, here in Jupiter, offer them on the Saturday of the full moon. In my opinion, the worse day of diving is better than the best day of working. IJS

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

For Ocean Boat diving here in Florida from my experience It really dont matter as far as the Sea Life goes. The afternoon here can leave you in a storm but who cares you are already wet.

 

[kuma1720]

My vote always for the morning dives. Better conditions since the winds are calmer and you still have the afternoon as an option if weather cooperates. Here in Florida afternoon storms are very prevalent during the summer months.

 

[Searcaigh]

+1 for early morning dives

When I lived in Jeddah we used to do dives at 7am, stunning conditions, glass surface and shoals of gill raker mackerel swooping around. Of course sleeping on the beach helped make it that easier.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

There are numerous dive sites here off Maui where I prefer an after 2 PM splash. A few I prefer after 4 PM, after 5 mid summer. Black Rock I prefer at night, but shortly after sunset is OK.

As a photographer I'm not real impressed with "oh dawn :30" - especially for sites with West facing bottom topography.

After 2 PM there are usually way fewer people in the water, so the dolphin, shark and ray encounters seem more common, IMHO.

 

[SnorkelLA]

Every thing gets hotter when the sun goes down...

 

[manahattandiver]

Thanks so much for the replies. We are going to St. Maarten for a few days, then to St. Kitts for a few days. We will do the morning dives based on the feedback about afternoon winds, etc. Very much appreciate the advice. Maybe we will even do a night dive! Can't wait. Going end July. Hoping for storm-less vacation!

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Wrong question... you should have asked if you should dive morning AND afternoon. Then the answer is simple.
Yes.