AevnsGrandpa:
That is great and just what I am looking for!!
Jeff
Jeff, Datura is a great shore dive. When conditions are right - which is often - the water is warm and the visibility good with lots to see.
We see a lot of new shore dives gearing up on the beach, or dropping their gear on the beach when the exit. We recommend gearing up at your car (or at the benches if you can't find parking that close... drop your gear and then park) and walking directly into the water to put your fins on when about chest-deep. No need to ever get anything sandy except your feet.
We also see folks rush over the reef, looking for something better and missing a lot of detail. Even the near-shore area before the reef (just outside the "cans") holds amazing life. Octopus, slipper lobster and small eels are more exposed there and are easier to find. A friend of ours never makes it to the main part of the first reef because he finds so much in the rubble... I've failed to be as good but he never misses.
Keep your head up occasionally and you may see a turtle, large taurpin or snook, or a school of fish at the surface - needle fish are fun to watch and I once saw one disappear as a bird snatched it from above!
Finally, though tanks are nice you don't need them if you are a good snorkler. I choose to snorkel 8 out of 10 outings. It's warmer and you can get farther out (because you won't run out of air). It's a different experience... a nice change. Of course the tanks are best. The best snorkeling is between the pier and Datura, just outside the "cans."
