seadoggirl
Guest
I met three divers from Tampa (Depth Perception? I think), and Rick from Daphne at Gary's Gulf Divers in Orange Beach. This was my first trip on Gary's boat Cat-n-around, a wonderful dive boat. We left the dock around 8:00 and beat most of the traffic to the Oriskany.
The gulf was prettier than I have seen it in ages. The ride out on the Cat-n-around was smooth as a baby's butt (as we like to say round here). I have been on cats before but Gary's is set up to make your trip as enjoyable as the dive. It is a six pack which allows everybody plenty of room. The boat stays at Sportsman and is a very quick walk down the dock.
I've been down on the Oriskany several times but not since last August. The additional growth on the ship is remarkable. The colors are really setting in. We also noticed about a million aerocrabs (spelling might not be right). Last year I noticed tons of blue claw crabs, this year Aerocrabs. We saw huge barracuda, with scary overbites in need of braces. The vis was better than I have seen it since I dove it July 4th weekend last year. 75' vis on the first dive. There was zero current. Gary threw out a bouy line with a ball on it, just incase and it sat right beside the boat, in a pile never moving. There were several boats out there but everybody watched each other and our group waited until the larger boats got their folks out and then we did our second dive. Gary orchestated the dive like a symphony. The first dive the six of us were basically alone. The second dive we had no issues with a crowd.
If you dove her last year, you really should go again. The fish have also multiplied. I saw AJ's and a rather large group but he was very shy and stay down deep, not wanting to play. There were actually a few spearfisherman on it and I was jealous because I left my gun behind. I also left my camera behind but as you all know I am picture-posting challenged and can't figure out how to post pictures here anyway. I still have beautiful pictures from Belize that no one has been able to enjoy.
I can not say enough about Gary and his Divemaster Brian. They go above and beyond to make sure that your experience is totally comfortable. From the first minute you get on the boat until you get back to the dock, they take care of everything. Gary and Brian also feed us on the way back. Best hotdog I've ever had! All the way around it was wonderful. From the conversation and joking on the way out, to the hotdogs on the way back, it was a great trip.
Okay here is the kicker, hush, don't tell anyone, but I've loved Gary's Gulf Diver shop for a long time but I've been diving with other boats. I may have a new favorite boat.
What a great trip! Please come see us in South Alabama, you'll love the experience... Ya'll come on down! We'll fix ya a sweet tea and tell ya crazy fish stories.
The gulf was prettier than I have seen it in ages. The ride out on the Cat-n-around was smooth as a baby's butt (as we like to say round here). I have been on cats before but Gary's is set up to make your trip as enjoyable as the dive. It is a six pack which allows everybody plenty of room. The boat stays at Sportsman and is a very quick walk down the dock.
I've been down on the Oriskany several times but not since last August. The additional growth on the ship is remarkable. The colors are really setting in. We also noticed about a million aerocrabs (spelling might not be right). Last year I noticed tons of blue claw crabs, this year Aerocrabs. We saw huge barracuda, with scary overbites in need of braces. The vis was better than I have seen it since I dove it July 4th weekend last year. 75' vis on the first dive. There was zero current. Gary threw out a bouy line with a ball on it, just incase and it sat right beside the boat, in a pile never moving. There were several boats out there but everybody watched each other and our group waited until the larger boats got their folks out and then we did our second dive. Gary orchestated the dive like a symphony. The first dive the six of us were basically alone. The second dive we had no issues with a crowd.
If you dove her last year, you really should go again. The fish have also multiplied. I saw AJ's and a rather large group but he was very shy and stay down deep, not wanting to play. There were actually a few spearfisherman on it and I was jealous because I left my gun behind. I also left my camera behind but as you all know I am picture-posting challenged and can't figure out how to post pictures here anyway. I still have beautiful pictures from Belize that no one has been able to enjoy.
I can not say enough about Gary and his Divemaster Brian. They go above and beyond to make sure that your experience is totally comfortable. From the first minute you get on the boat until you get back to the dock, they take care of everything. Gary and Brian also feed us on the way back. Best hotdog I've ever had! All the way around it was wonderful. From the conversation and joking on the way out, to the hotdogs on the way back, it was a great trip.
Okay here is the kicker, hush, don't tell anyone, but I've loved Gary's Gulf Diver shop for a long time but I've been diving with other boats. I may have a new favorite boat.
What a great trip! Please come see us in South Alabama, you'll love the experience... Ya'll come on down! We'll fix ya a sweet tea and tell ya crazy fish stories.
