waterdogs
Guest
Just returned from my first dive, yes first time getting my feet wet in the key's and dove with a first class operator "lady cyana". Just a reminder this is my first dive report so bear with me.
Wednesday - May 23 Islamorda Fl (Lady Cyana)
Conditions: 81 water temp, 80 air, 40-50 vis with mild current (both dives)
Boat/Operator: Lady Cyana 3, 8 divers, Lady Cyana was first class, Gloria was tremendously helpful on my first dive adventure, very relaxing at check in an suggested the mid-level dive for us which she scheduled just for us that day. Can't say enough good things here about "LC".
Dive #1 - Crocker Reef. 50-60ft mid-level reef which resembled canyons of sandy bottoms between the ledges. Off the boat we descended down the line 20ft then dropped to 40ft to begin the dive. Current was semi strong so we began the dive in for an easy return. I was diving with Sue (Instructor) which we headed for the bottom of the canyon to stay below the current. Headed for 52ft and where marine life was in abundance. Fish: parrots, groupers (big), green moray, lobsters, triggers and angels (I do need a fish book because there were more than this but I only knew these). Nice coral formations but I was surprised I didn't see the radiant colors I've often heard about. At 800psi we made our turn back toward the boat with a gentle rise to 17ft-15ft for a slow safety stop, it wasn't actually a stop, just a easy swim at 15ft for 3mins. As we leveled at 15ft, Sue ascended for visual of the boat, we missed it but we were still infront so we didn't have to fight the current back. Finally Sue gave me the thumbs up and I ascended with 400psi, grabbed the tow line, removed fins and swam to the ladder. Didn't do to bad getting onboard with the swells and current made it the first time so I called it a successful dive.
Dive #2 - Davis Reef (home of the buddah statue). 25ft dive with reef at about 17ft-20ft, sandy bottom at 25ft. Nice dive, TONS OF FISH. Off the boat decended to 25ft and began the dive into the current. Long reef with numerous ledges, crevices to explore for fish. Fish: Parrotts, Green Moray's, Nurse Shark, 2 southern ray's, groupers (i told you i needed a fish book). At the end of the reef sits the 3ft buddah status (i didn't rub me and future waterdogs are getting married next month, didnt want to take the chance on that fertility thing). Dove the reef for 52mins, saw more color then the Crocker dive, reef was very healthy and again TONS OF FISH. One was pretty friendly, actually came up to my face and almost pecked my mask, pretty neat. Surfaced with 500 psi and told future waterdogs all about the dive.
Summation: I was pretty stoked. First dive, believe I did pretty good, need a little practice on bouyancy. Did good but wanted to dog paddle some when i would get close to touching the reef instead of using my breathing. I'll work on it. Lady Cyana GREAT, I even made their Dive Report on their web page. If you pull it up Im the one mentioned with Sue, hey first time dive and I make a web page. Glad it was something positive and not a statistic.
Islamorda was great, enjoy if you go. Next time Ill dive with LC again and head a little north to check out Key Largo as well during our trip in November.
Waterdogs
Wednesday - May 23 Islamorda Fl (Lady Cyana)
Conditions: 81 water temp, 80 air, 40-50 vis with mild current (both dives)
Boat/Operator: Lady Cyana 3, 8 divers, Lady Cyana was first class, Gloria was tremendously helpful on my first dive adventure, very relaxing at check in an suggested the mid-level dive for us which she scheduled just for us that day. Can't say enough good things here about "LC".
Dive #1 - Crocker Reef. 50-60ft mid-level reef which resembled canyons of sandy bottoms between the ledges. Off the boat we descended down the line 20ft then dropped to 40ft to begin the dive. Current was semi strong so we began the dive in for an easy return. I was diving with Sue (Instructor) which we headed for the bottom of the canyon to stay below the current. Headed for 52ft and where marine life was in abundance. Fish: parrots, groupers (big), green moray, lobsters, triggers and angels (I do need a fish book because there were more than this but I only knew these). Nice coral formations but I was surprised I didn't see the radiant colors I've often heard about. At 800psi we made our turn back toward the boat with a gentle rise to 17ft-15ft for a slow safety stop, it wasn't actually a stop, just a easy swim at 15ft for 3mins. As we leveled at 15ft, Sue ascended for visual of the boat, we missed it but we were still infront so we didn't have to fight the current back. Finally Sue gave me the thumbs up and I ascended with 400psi, grabbed the tow line, removed fins and swam to the ladder. Didn't do to bad getting onboard with the swells and current made it the first time so I called it a successful dive.
Dive #2 - Davis Reef (home of the buddah statue). 25ft dive with reef at about 17ft-20ft, sandy bottom at 25ft. Nice dive, TONS OF FISH. Off the boat decended to 25ft and began the dive into the current. Long reef with numerous ledges, crevices to explore for fish. Fish: Parrotts, Green Moray's, Nurse Shark, 2 southern ray's, groupers (i told you i needed a fish book). At the end of the reef sits the 3ft buddah status (i didn't rub me and future waterdogs are getting married next month, didnt want to take the chance on that fertility thing). Dove the reef for 52mins, saw more color then the Crocker dive, reef was very healthy and again TONS OF FISH. One was pretty friendly, actually came up to my face and almost pecked my mask, pretty neat. Surfaced with 500 psi and told future waterdogs all about the dive.
Summation: I was pretty stoked. First dive, believe I did pretty good, need a little practice on bouyancy. Did good but wanted to dog paddle some when i would get close to touching the reef instead of using my breathing. I'll work on it. Lady Cyana GREAT, I even made their Dive Report on their web page. If you pull it up Im the one mentioned with Sue, hey first time dive and I make a web page. Glad it was something positive and not a statistic.
Islamorda was great, enjoy if you go. Next time Ill dive with LC again and head a little north to check out Key Largo as well during our trip in November.
Waterdogs
