Jupiter Dive Thread

[Nemrod]

Hello all, I’m looking for a dive buddy for a 2-tank dive at Jupiter Dive Center, Saturday 5/24 or Sunday 5/25. I’m relatively new to diving, but I have Advanced Open Water and Nitrox certification. I also own all my gear, so I would just need to rent a 2nd tank. I’ve only done freshwater dives in the Florida springs so far. Looking for someone who’s dived Jupiter before, as these will be my first ocean dives. Unless someone recommends I hire a private guide? I live in Ocala so I’d probably get a hotel for the night before the dive, and drive back after diving. Let me know if you guys have any other advice!

You should hire a guide. That would be best for your first dives there.

 

[Evan_S]

Thanks!

You should hire a guide. That would be best for your first dives there.

Looks like Kyalami offers a private dive guide in their booking.

 

[Nemrod]

Thanks!

Looks like Kyalami offers a private dive guide in their booking.

Yes, they do. I would recommend it for your first foray there given so little ocean experience. It will make the adventure more enjoyable for you. Jupiter can be a little challenging due to current, depth and seas. Mostly easy diving but you could benefit from a guide familiar with the area and the diving requirements there.

 

[Evan_S]

Yes, they do. I would recommend it for your first foray there given so little ocean experience. It will make the adventure more enjoyable for you. Jupiter can be a little challenging due to current, depth and seas. Mostly easy diving but you could benefit from a guide familiar with the area and the diving requirements there.

I just booked a private guide. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Posting a summary here. For more details see @Johnoly thread: JUP Rpt May 17 - SB Friends

Sat 5/17 JDC 3 tanker. Condition summary: 0-1’ seas, light to moderate north current, 74 to 75 Fahrenheit bottom temps with 80° on the surface. A noticeable thermocline between 30 and 40 feet. 50-70’ viz roughly.

 

[Johnoly]

Posting a summary here.

It was really fishy for this time of year. Great video!!

 

[Evan_S]

I just booked a private guide. Thanks for all the advice!

The private guide was definitely worth it! I ended up needing an extra 2 lbs on the first dive, and he had a clip weight for me ready to go. He also helped me go at my own pace, and pointed out a lot of creatures I would’ve missed on my own. I saw a nurse shark, barracuda, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, and a couple goliath grouper. Water temp on Saturday was around 78, with about 50’ visibility.

 

[NothingClever]

Kyalami today.

We went to Loggerhead and then Bonnie’s. Both are reef dives. Saw a Caribbean reefie (young adult) right off the descent and then “Turtlerama” started. I lost count of the Loggerhead turtles today. Somebody said they counted 23 on the first dive.

1.5mm WS. Viz was great.

Bonnie’s was nice with more Loggerheads either buried or burrowing in the vegetation. Two healthy adult reef sharks and a green Moray.

Viz dropped a little but was still great.

Today’s crew was top notch. Captain Joe (senior Captain), Spencer, Layla and Alec did a superb job taking care of customers, running brief but complete safety checks and controlling the boarding.

After I get past my next few courses ($$$) I intend to start traveling again and hope to find the same quality charters I’ve found here in Florida. I’d have to work really hard to have a bad dive in Florida.

 

[Johnoly]

“Turtlerama” started.

This 3rd week of June is the invasion as they crawl up the beach at night. There has been tons of turtle tracks on the beach but there can be as many as 50 turtles crawling just in Jupiter alone. It's really cool to see it. Great report !!

 

[NothingClever]

Forgot to add - the current on Bonnie’s was smokin’.