Jupiter Diving Looking for some Numbers

[waterwarrior]

Hey guys- I have been doing a lot of the wrecks and some ledges around jupiter but I have been looking for some more dramatic parts of the ledge and a dive called tunnels I have heard about (not the cave). If anybody was looking to share some GPS coordinates in the Jupiter area I would really appreciate it.

 

[Tom Winters]

My PB county drop coordinates...

 

[Scott L]

26.56.784 080.01.878 will put you just south of the main swim through. Enjoy

 

[Johnoly]

..... and a dive called tunnels I have heard about (not the cave)....

Visibility fluctuates wildly on the Tunnels. Last Saturday it was less than 10. Try to hit it after several days of sustained east winds and very little rain fall. Also don't try to swim down the reef real fast because in 25 minutes, you could be looking at sand. Hope you like sharks too.

 

[Jupiter31]

Everyone has their personal favorites and this happens to be mine - its a unique, fantastic site on so many levels - this and "Area 51"/Juno Ledge are my 2 favorites in Jupiter - hell, in FL. (And sorry, since I live in Miami, and charter in Jupiter, can't help you w/ the numbers for Area 51 - but should be easy to get).

As John correctly points out, viz can be an issue here even more so than many other sites - maybe its proximety to the inlet, sensitivity to tides; whatever, you can have great viz a mile away, but 20' on tunnels.

Another problem is the sand there is silty; tends to get stirred up very easy - so stay off the bottom, unless you want the silt to accompany you the rest of your dive (the current allows the silt to follow you down the reef/ledge).

I've done tunnels w/ zero current, light current and ripping current - so it depends - if there is no current, its a swim to the end, so current is a good thing on this site.

Finally, towards the end of the dive, where the reef starts to go to sand, is an area called the "donut hole" located just west (towards land) of the ledge- I've seen as many as 10 reef sharks in and near the hole - also once saw 7 blast out of there as we got close. :shocked2:

Very consistant site for sharks, turtles, big rays, and goliath groupers - plus the tunnels are really neat, but look first before you start to swim through; there is a reef shark that likes the big tunnel too, as well as some good size goliath - If I had some expectation of viz (even 30') tunnels would be my go to site every time - its fantastic.

 

[waterwarrior]

Thanks for the numbers and advice guys. I think im going to have to take off work and try it after lunch

(And sorry, since I live in Miami, and charter in Jupiter, can't help you w/ the numbers for Area 51 - but should be easy to get).

can anyone help me out here

 

[Scott L]

Everyone has their personal favorites and this happens to be mine - its a unique, fantastic site on so many levels - this and "Area 51"/Juno Ledge are my 2 favorites in Jupiter - hell, in FL. (And sorry, since I live in Miami, and charter in Jupiter, can't help you w/ the numbers for Area 51 - but should be easy to get).

As John correctly points out, viz can be an issue here even more so than many other sites - maybe its proximety to the inlet, sensitivity to tides; whatever, you can have great viz a mile away, but 20' on tunnels.

Another problem is the sand there is silty; tends to get stirred up very easy - so stay off the bottom, unless you want the silt to accompany you the rest of your dive (the current allows the silt to follow you down the reef/ledge).

I've done tunnels w/ zero current, light current and ripping current - so it depends - if there is no current, its a swim to the end, so current is a good thing on this site.

Finally, towards the end of the dive, where the reef starts to go to sand, is an area called the "donut hole" located just west (towards land) of the ledge- I've seen as many as 10 reef sharks in and near the hole - also once saw 7 blast out of there as we got close. :shocked2:

Very consistant site for sharks, turtles, big rays, and goliath groupers - plus the tunnels are really neat, but look first before you start to swim through; there is a reef shark that likes the big tunnel too, as well as some good size goliath - If I had some expectation of viz (even 30') tunnels would be my go to site every time - its fantastic.

I agree. It has all the elements for an exciting dive. Deep enough for an adrenalin rush for me along with all that you described. Whatever the vis it's a better than being topside...

 

[Jupiter31]

Almost....but for many reasons, @ 10 or 15' of viz, another choice is more prudent - you want to see the u/w life and at low viz - you really can't