PC Jetties Attempt

[JP11283]

Well, we attempted to dive the jetties in PC today. The tide charts are showing a low tide are 4:00 AM today and tomorrow and a high tide around 8:30 - 9:00ish PM. We got in the water around noonish and crossed over the rocks and found very little current. We had to cross back over into the shallow pool so my buddy could grab a little more weight. After spending about 10 minutes in the pool, we headed back over the rocks and were met with a very strong outgoing current. We decided to call the dive, extremely disappointed since the charts called for an incoming daytime tide all weekend. There were quite a few other divers who arrived when we did and gave up around the same time we did. I'm tempted to try again tomorrow, but I'm worried the charts won't be accurate again. Does anyone have any advice about figuring out the tides at the jetties? Is this normal at the jetties when the charts call for an incoming tide all day?

 

[wjefferis]

It is important to try and hit the jetties about two hours prior to slack tide. This is when the current will be nill. High slack tide is the best time since the pass is flush with clear gulf water. Low slack tide will bring less visibility, but will be divable. If low tide was at 4:00 am and high tide was at 9:00 pm, that means that you got in at probably the worst possible time. You got in right in the middle of the tidal swing when the current was most likely the strongest of the tide shift. Try diving much earlier before the current picks up or later in the day as the current begins to slack and you will have better luck with the tides the way they are now. Just remember the best time will always be about two hours prior to high or low slack tide.

 

[zaberman1]

Well, we attempted to dive the jetties in PC today. The tide charts are showing a low tide are 4:00 AM today and tomorrow and a high tide around 8:30 - 9:00ish PM. We got in the water around noonish and crossed over the rocks and found very little current. We had to cross back over into the shallow pool so my buddy could grab a little more weight. After spending about 10 minutes in the pool, we headed back over the rocks and were met with a very strong outgoing current. We decided to call the dive, extremely disappointed since the charts called for an incoming daytime tide all weekend. There were quite a few other divers who arrived when we did and gave up around the same time we did. I'm tempted to try again tomorrow, but I'm worried the charts won't be accurate again. Does anyone have any advice about figuring out the tides at the jetties? Is this normal at the jetties when the charts call for an incoming tide all day?

Yikes! Hopefully tomorrow will be better luck...I also agree with the above post. You made the right call, especially since its your first dive at the jetties. Fantastic risk management, must have a had a decent instructor last week...

 

[JP11283]

Only the best!

 

[JP11283]

With the high tide occurring at 9:29 PM tomorrow at St. Andrews, we've decided to call it a weekend and try diving next weekend. We are thinking about making the trek to Troy Springs either next Saturday or Sunday, so if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

 

[wjefferis]

With the high tide occurring at 9:29 PM tomorrow at St. Andrews, we've decided to call it a weekend and try diving next weekend.

That was a good call to make. You really want to enjoy the PC Jetties at high slack tide, it is a great dive.

 

[msmith304]

I was down there a couple weeks ago and got in some awesome night dives, but make sure youre comfortable before you do the night thing. I was amazed at the amount of life that comes out to play at night.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Advice for Troy Springs? Don't go into the cavern, its small and the cave is smaller, both are nasty. Swim(or walk, if the river levels are low) up the run near where it meets with the river. On the right side(looking towards the river) the remains of the Madison are visible. Its mostly just ribs and copper spikes, but pretty cool to get a spring dive and wreck dive all in one site.

 

[pamawi]

I've heard you can hire a Dive Master as a jetties guide thru Dive Locker for a reasonable cost. The local dive shops should be able to advise you about diving the jetties.

 

[wjefferis]

I've heard you can hire a Dive Master as a jetties guide thru Dive Locker for a reasonable cost. The local dive shops should be able to advise you about diving the jetties.

I would skip hiring a DM for the PC jetties and just post on the board that you want to dive it with someone who knows the site. If I have off I would be more than happy to drive over and dive the PC jetties at high tide. I absolutely love that dive. Although it would be a long wait Denisegg usually puts together a weekend of diving the jetties during the summer. Come and join us next year. If you want to get out there soon start a new post asking who want to dive the jetty. I am sure you will get plenty of replies.