Palm Beach Dive Thread

[scubadada]

I went diving with Walker's Charters on April 24. Before our dives on Tear Drop and Breakers, Bill dropped a diver for a bounce dive near the Ana Cecilia to download data from an instrument on the bottom. I'm sorry I did not take the time to learn more about it. Bill or Mike could probably tell more about the diver, agency, and instrument. I am also curious.

 

[MrChen]

The document states:

The receiver records the identification number and time stamp from acoustic transmitters as a tagged animal travels within receiver range. Depth, temperature and other sensor data such as predation and acceleration can also be collected

 

[DiverDan1975]

There is an ongoing thread for trip reports and condition updates for Jupiter and one for Blue Heron Bridge, but we don't have one for the sites off of Palm Beach/Palm Beach Shores. I dive this area frequently and often want to post an update without creating a whole new thread. So I decided to create this thread and we'll see where it goes!

This thread is to post trip reports and condition updates for the sites north and south of the Lake Worth Inlet. That includes sites all the way south to Lake Worth (Horseshoe and Paul's for example), sites north to Juno Beach (Juno Ledge for example), and everything in between! The common denominator is that those sites are typically hit by boats leaving out of the Lake Worth Inlet.

This is open to anyone who would like to post about diving that area, be you a local or a traveling diver. All are welcome!

If you'd still like to post your own trip report thread, by all means do so!! This thread is meant for those who feel like posting a quick update, a few picks or video, and just don't feel like created a whole new thread. Very similar to the Jupiter-focused thread that @CosbySweater created.

As a general rule, diving off of Palm Beach involves some additional considerations such as drift diving experience, dealing with currents and thermoclines as we have been experiencing lately (68 degrees two weeks ago in 80 feet of water off of Jupiter). We have great wildlife off of our shores, so it can be very worthwhile. If you have not experienced it before, I definitely recommend going on a charter. The ratios of DM to divers tends to be appropriate, but consider hiring a private guide, especially if it is the first time.

 

[NothingClever]

I wanted to dive Jupiter but that Kyalami boat is undergoing some maintenance so I jumped on Kyalami’s WPB boat.

Corridor Wreck Trek for the first drop. Captain Joe dropped us smack dab on the Ana Cecilia. I was diving ST this morning so I held off from getting overly committed to the cargo holds. Reef shark off the port side but no GGs.

Drifted straight to the acoustic sensor off the Ana C stern and I can’t understand for the life of me how I missed the Mizpah last weekend - it’s right there!

At the Mizpah saw another reefie.

PC-1174 offered a black GG and another reefie (or possibly a lapper).

Rock pile - loggerhead turtle to the east.

Amaryllis - nothing

China Barge - loggerhead turtle and a curious nurse shark

Brazilian Docks - nothing

Current was perfect - not so strong that you had to work hard to counter it but strong enough to get me and one other diver well into Brazilian Docks.

Second drop was Mid Reef. One small reef shark and two loggers. Current picked up. Viz was a little snowy.

Lindsay, Joel, and new guy Chris did great.

On board from Kyalami but not working were Captain Zach, Brandon, Alec, Layla and Sidney.

 

[MrChen]

I was wondering how you missed it too. I don't think I've ever missed the Mizpah, including when I had no idea how to get to it the first time. Maybe if there wasn't a north current? Glad you made it this time!

 

[MrChen]

Next trick, finding spearmans barge each time you dive mid reef. I'm at like 75% in doing so and honestly, I'm still not sure exactly how to find it. I just know it's a little east in the middle of the dive.

 

[Johnoly]

Current was perfect -................... Current picked up. Viz was a little snowy.

Thank you for the conditions.
I'm diving WPB tomorrow(Fri)..Trying to find lions. Everyone must be carrying a Hoover vacuum down there cause the reefs are cleaned up !!

 

[MrChen]

Thank you for the conditions.
I'm diving WPB tomorrow(Fri)..Trying to find lions. Everyone must be carrying a Hoover vacuum down there cause the reefs are cleaned up !!

There's that tournament coming up between the charters. I'm not going to bother because even our LF hotspots haven't had the numbers we expect lately.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

There's that tournament coming up between the charters. I'm not going to bother because even our LF hotspots haven't had the numbers we expect lately.

That’s good!!!

 

[Johnoly]

There's that tournament coming up between the charters. I'm not going to bother because even our LF hotspots haven't had the numbers we expect lately.

I have a conference call early that next monday morning so I'm not sure I can do the tournament and be prepared for the call. But when I'm scouting tomorrow if we find a pattern and know where they are traveling up from the deeps then I'll try to do the tournament. I agree with you, all the public numbers are cleaned out. Last weekend I got one ( yep just 1 ) lionfish. FWC even put my submission on hold for review and you can see my entries on the leaderboard at the 'teens' near the bottom.