manahattandiver
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I have noticed most dive shops offer 2-tank morning and 2-tank afternoon dives. Which is better to see the most marine life?
Is it better to dive in the morning or afternoon?
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It really depends on the place where you are diving, and the timing of the two boats. If you go out on an extremely early morning boat, you might catch sight of a few nocturnal critters still out on the hunt. A later morning dive, you probably won't. Some places, like the Hawaiian Islands, have trade winds that come up in the afternoon, making surface conditions uncomfortable and reducing visibility.
In Puget Sound, it really doesn't matter much at all what time of day you go diving, so long as you pay attention to the tides.
In Puget Sound, it really doesn't matter much at all what time of day you go diving, so long as you pay attention to the tides.
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It really depends on prevailing conditions. In some parts of the world, morning is less windy than afternoon ... making for less waves and easier entries/exits. Other places, it'll depend on what the tides are doing ... keeping in mind that some sites are more or less current sensitive whether it's an ebb or flood flow. For some sites, the time of day will affect how much ambient light you'll have at depth ... which can be a factor if you're not bringing a dive light.
The best way to answer your question would be to talk to someone who understands local conditions, and is familiar with the sites you're planning to dive ... only by knowing how prevailing conditions affect the site can you determine which time of day is best. It also helps to keep an eye on the weather ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
The best way to answer your question would be to talk to someone who understands local conditions, and is familiar with the sites you're planning to dive ... only by knowing how prevailing conditions affect the site can you determine which time of day is best. It also helps to keep an eye on the weather ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Avonthediver
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BOTH...MuSt DiVe...:crazyeye:
Both is the correct answer. But if I must choose I generally go with the morning.
In my experience, mostly in Florida, Texas, and Caribbean, seas and winds are calmer in the morning. In tropical climes it is common to have afternoon squalls. Obviously, squalls mean dark clouds which reduces light and visibility. Local weather exceptions apply, of course.
Also, unless you are with a group, there is a better chance of the morning charter making. In places like Coz, most people do a 2-tank morning trip and then enjoy the day. Many ops don't run afternoon trips unless they have enough people signed up. You can't see much marine life if your trip doesn't run.
Sometimes the capt/crew is a bit fresher in the morning, by afternoon they are tired and wanted the day over. Some ops prefer the closer sites in the afternoon so they can get back quicker. You may have a better choice of dive sites in the morning.
In my experience, mostly in Florida, Texas, and Caribbean, seas and winds are calmer in the morning. In tropical climes it is common to have afternoon squalls. Obviously, squalls mean dark clouds which reduces light and visibility. Local weather exceptions apply, of course.
Also, unless you are with a group, there is a better chance of the morning charter making. In places like Coz, most people do a 2-tank morning trip and then enjoy the day. Many ops don't run afternoon trips unless they have enough people signed up. You can't see much marine life if your trip doesn't run.
Sometimes the capt/crew is a bit fresher in the morning, by afternoon they are tired and wanted the day over. Some ops prefer the closer sites in the afternoon so they can get back quicker. You may have a better choice of dive sites in the morning.
If you have to choose- go in the morning. Visibility is generally better, the sun is higher in the sky and in some places, like Florida, you are not running into almost daily afternoon showers. Also, the dive site has not already been visited by a lot of earlier boats. Sometimes that second dive in the afternoon is almost like a night dive if the boat gets out a bit later than expected.
Shasta_man
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My experience is the morning dives are nearly always the best from the viz point of view. Later on, stuff starts getting churned up and the wind starts blowing more...
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Pretty much all the places I've been charters seem to prefer morning if there is only one charter that day. That includes NS, FL, SC, TX and Panama. I'm usually told the reason is the ocean kicks up in the afternoon (except Panama Caribbean). I prefer afternoon ones because I don't prefer getting up some awful hour when I usually sleep 'til 10:30.
I think it is pretty hard to pick between the two. My personal preference is Dive #2 of morning dive and Dive #1 of afternoon dive.
When diving in the morning you often see calm seas and overall life is wonderful. Unfortunately those pesky overnight clouds have not yet dispersed so your visibility is diminished by shadows. By dive 2 sun comes out and everything is great. Then you return to the docs, boat refuels etc and you go back out. That first dive of that trip is still a great treat. It is hot as hell so diving proves to be a great escape. Unfortunately by time you are done with your surface interval, currents usually pick up and you see a ton of debris in water.
Look at your dive tables or computer and decide whether you can safely dive 4 times per day. I dive 4 as much as possible because for me it is a 4 hour drive each way and I figure since I am driving that far I might as well stick around a little. Of course by then it is 4pm and then we grab something to eat and then I get sleepy and I have to drive back. waaaaaa waaaaaa waaaaaa.
When diving in the morning you often see calm seas and overall life is wonderful. Unfortunately those pesky overnight clouds have not yet dispersed so your visibility is diminished by shadows. By dive 2 sun comes out and everything is great. Then you return to the docs, boat refuels etc and you go back out. That first dive of that trip is still a great treat. It is hot as hell so diving proves to be a great escape. Unfortunately by time you are done with your surface interval, currents usually pick up and you see a ton of debris in water.
Look at your dive tables or computer and decide whether you can safely dive 4 times per day. I dive 4 as much as possible because for me it is a 4 hour drive each way and I figure since I am driving that far I might as well stick around a little. Of course by then it is 4pm and then we grab something to eat and then I get sleepy and I have to drive back. waaaaaa waaaaaa waaaaaa.
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