Palm Beach Dive Thread

[Pipehorse]

Went on Pura Vida's Aurelia today and Thursday. Captain Dean, Amber and Quinn as crew on Thursday. Captain Jason, Amber, and Phil as crew today. Bath&Tennis and Flower Gardens on Thursday. Bath&Tennis and Dive-A-Rama on Friday. Sea temp 81f on surface and 79f on the bottom across all sites on both days. Visibility on Thursday was 50ft. Visibility on Friday was 40ft near the bottom, but 25ft in the water column, fresh water from all the rain had definitely moved in.

When Amber did the dive briefing for Bath&Tennis the first day she drew a Hammerhead Shark on the whiteboard. I promptly asked if it was a Scalloped or Greater Hammerhead. Five minutes into the first dive we were on a 10ft Hammerhead, or maybe it was on us. In the ten foot range, I only didn't get the best look, others in the group were lucky and were within 15ft of it. Loggerheads were common, counted a total of 15 in two days. Most of them were resting on the reef, two of them were swimming. On Dive-A-Rama we got on a smaller Hammerhead, in the 8ft range. I did not get the best look at that one either. But so what, its cool to see them around. Did REEF surveys on all four dives. Species count range from 71 to 76. Interesting species of note included, Moustache Jawfish, Unicorn Filefish, juvenile Spotted Drums, Black Durgon, Spotfin Hogfish, and Slender Filefish. Respectively, Slender Filefish, Juvenile Spotted Drums, Brassy Chub, White Spotted Filefish, and Kuekenthals Ball Sponge

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Went on Pura Vida's Aurelia today and Thursday. Captain Dean, Amber and Quinn as crew on Thursday. Captain Jason, Amber, and Phil as crew today. Bath&Tennis and Flower Gardens on Thursday. Bath&Tennis and Dive-A-Rama on Friday. Sea temp 81f on surface and 79f on the bottom across all sites on both days. Visibility on Thursday was 50ft. Visibility on Friday was 40ft near the bottom, but 25ft in the water column, fresh water from all the rain had definitely moved in.

When Amber did the dive briefing for Bath&Tennis the first day she drew a Hammerhead Shark on the whiteboard. I promptly asked if it was a Scalloped or Greater Hammerhead. Five minutes into the first dive we were on a 10ft Hammerhead, or maybe it was on us. In the ten foot range, I only didn't get the best look, others in the group were lucky and were within 15ft of it. Loggerheads were common, counted a total of 15 in two days. Most of them were resting on the reef, two of them were swimming. On Dive-A-Rama we got on a smaller Hammerhead, in the 8ft range. I did not get the best look at that one either. But so what, its cool to see them around. Did REEF surveys on all four dives. Species count range from 71 to 76. Interesting species of note included, Moustache Jawfish, Unicorn Filefish, juvenile Spotted Drums, Black Durgon, Spotfin Hogfish, and Slender Filefish. Respectively, Slender Filefish, Juvenile Spotted Drums, Brassy Chub, White Spotted Filefish, and Kuekenthals Ball Sponge

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Thx for the report!! I’ve been cleared by my surgeon to return to diving. Booked with Pura Vida for 6/29-30. It’ll be so nice to get back underwater!

 

[johndiver999]

75 ft vis mild current in 130 today

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I was able to finally get back out diving today following my cervical fusion surgery last April 8th. Man did it feel great to be back blowing bubbles!!!

@SubNeo and I went out this morning with Pura Vida. We had Capt. Jason and the crew included Emma, Lucas and Dave. It was partly sunny, hot & humid with little wind. As a result we had flat seas to 1'. Underwater we had a mild north current, 82-83 F water temps, and blue water that was hazy at times. Viz was 30-40 typically with points pushing 50'. We dived Flower Gardens and Elevator Shaft.

We saw all of the usual tropicals throughout both dives and a huge loggerhead sleeping under the reef on dive #2.

Given the conditions it was a busy day at the marina and offshore as well. LOTS of boats out there!

It feels SO GOOD to be back!!

 

[MrChen]

I was able to finally get back out diving today following my cervical fusion surgery last April 8th. Man did it feel great to be back blowing bubbles!!!

@SubNeo and I went out this morning with Pura Vida. We had Capt. Jason and the crew included Emma, Lucas and Dave. It was partly sunny, hot & humid with little wind. As a result we had flat seas to 1'. Underwater we had a mild north current, 82-83 F water temps, and blue water that was hazy at times. Viz was 30-40 typically with points pushing 50'. We dived Flower Gardens and Elevator Shaft.

We saw all of the usual tropicals throughout both dives and a huge loggerhead sleeping under the reef on dive #2.

Given the conditions it was a busy day at the marina and offshore as well. LOTS of boats out there!

It feels SO GOOD to be back!!

Heck yeah, sorry I missed you while recovering from my own surgery.

 

[Johnoly]

It feels SO GOOD to be back!!

Welcome back to Under Water !!

 

[SubNeo]

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I went out again yesterday morning (Sunday 6/30) with Pura Vida. We had Capt. Jason and crew members Phil and Nicole. We had large storms in the area moving west from the Bahamas, so seas were a bit choppy. Nothing too bad though and Capt. Jason did a masterful job of dodging the storms. It was overcast and calm other than the outflow from the storms. We did Tear Drop to Ron's Rock and Middle Earth followed by Dive-o-Rama to Elevator Shaft. Seas were 2' on average, maybe 3s at times, nice blue water with 83-84 F temps and 40-60' viz. Mild north current.

On today's dive I saw a nice swimming green turtle, many yellow-headed jawfish, garden eels, a large female loggerhead, a cute spotted drum juvi, beautiful french angel, and mocking lobster that seen to know that they are not in season.

Photos and a video below from the last 2 days diving.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

 

[Divin'Papaw]