vikingdiving
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After a long summer of excellent dive conditions and literally hundreds of logged dives on the Mighty O I thought I would update many of the subscribers with what has been going on with the newest and largest artificial reef in the world.
The visibility has averaged well in excess of 100 feet on the site all summer long and there have been more days with calm seas than there have been in most diving seasons. Only a few trips where weather canceled all summer long.
As for the Oriskany herself what can I say more than Wow. It has already began to be transformed into one of the most impressive artificial reefs not just from the standpoint of her sheer size but also from the amount and variety of marine life who have made her home. There have been all types of tropicals that have taken up residence who started their lives their as larval inhabitants and have grown to mature adults all on the ship. We have seen every species of damsel imaginable from blue chromis, yellow tailed reef fish, beau Gregory, honey damsels, bi-color damsels, and several species that I dont even have knowledge of as well. Banded and spot fin butterflies and even juvenile blue, queen, and French angles have also been seen. There is even an entire colony of blue head wrasses right on top of the wreck at its shallowest point just there to welcome new divers to all the wonderful colors that the reef has to offer. Of course, the arrow crabs dominate the wreck and its hard to look at any part of the ship without seeing a dozen or so of them. I even had one diver who reported seeing a couple coral banded shrimp. There has been the occasional visit by a few small black tip reef sharks and there are a couple resident barracuda that also welcome divers to the higher part of the wreck.
Trips to the wreck are still scheduled all through the winter months and it will be interesting to see what new inhabitants arrive prior to next spring, and if your planning to make a trip out to see her for yourself then we would welcome you aboard for a diving experience of a lifetime.
Of course, dont forget all the other wonderful dives that Pensacola has to offer. With my over 24 years of diving Pensacola, I have coordinates of over 135 sites. Many are small and off the regular path but the larger sites offer a wealth of photo opportunities, as does Pensacola itself. Being Americas first city, Pensacola has a lot of historic attractions as well as the worlds most beautiful beaches.
Anyone who would like to know more about the Mighty O or just Pensacola dive conditions in general, I would love to respond.
The visibility has averaged well in excess of 100 feet on the site all summer long and there have been more days with calm seas than there have been in most diving seasons. Only a few trips where weather canceled all summer long.
As for the Oriskany herself what can I say more than Wow. It has already began to be transformed into one of the most impressive artificial reefs not just from the standpoint of her sheer size but also from the amount and variety of marine life who have made her home. There have been all types of tropicals that have taken up residence who started their lives their as larval inhabitants and have grown to mature adults all on the ship. We have seen every species of damsel imaginable from blue chromis, yellow tailed reef fish, beau Gregory, honey damsels, bi-color damsels, and several species that I dont even have knowledge of as well. Banded and spot fin butterflies and even juvenile blue, queen, and French angles have also been seen. There is even an entire colony of blue head wrasses right on top of the wreck at its shallowest point just there to welcome new divers to all the wonderful colors that the reef has to offer. Of course, the arrow crabs dominate the wreck and its hard to look at any part of the ship without seeing a dozen or so of them. I even had one diver who reported seeing a couple coral banded shrimp. There has been the occasional visit by a few small black tip reef sharks and there are a couple resident barracuda that also welcome divers to the higher part of the wreck.
Trips to the wreck are still scheduled all through the winter months and it will be interesting to see what new inhabitants arrive prior to next spring, and if your planning to make a trip out to see her for yourself then we would welcome you aboard for a diving experience of a lifetime.
Of course, dont forget all the other wonderful dives that Pensacola has to offer. With my over 24 years of diving Pensacola, I have coordinates of over 135 sites. Many are small and off the regular path but the larger sites offer a wealth of photo opportunities, as does Pensacola itself. Being Americas first city, Pensacola has a lot of historic attractions as well as the worlds most beautiful beaches.
Anyone who would like to know more about the Mighty O or just Pensacola dive conditions in general, I would love to respond.
