Portofino Dive Report 1/6/12

[Tessunderwater]

I haven't done this site since May, so I convinced Joeh to come out with me for a mid day shore dive. The two poles on shore were missing when we got there and the bouy has been gone since august from what I hear. We ended up entering in front of a small walk path through the dunes and used that as an initial guide point. We surface swam out about 150 yards and went due west, shortly finding the reef. The growth seems to have tripled since my last visit but the blue crabs seemed to have moved on until next summer. Joe found a beautiful octopus in the center piping of one of the structures and there was a lone blue tang hanging out. Also, there were the usual bleenies, damsels and clams. Visibility was about 25 to 30 feet and surge was light to mod later in the dive. Great dive.

 

[Hetland]

Thanks for the report. I was wondering if there were any crabs out there, my freezer is currently crab-free as well. Must be those pesky octopuses at work again

 

[Tessunderwater]

Thanks for the report. I was wondering if there were any crabs out there, my freezer is currently crab-free as well. Must be those pesky octopuses at work again

I was wondering if maybe they just moved for the winter Although, that octopus was a decent size.

 

[Dave C]

I think blue crabs migrate offshore in the winter and bury themselves in the substrate, where they remain inactive until the water warms up. So it's not surprising you didn't see any. I've noticed that in late Nov. around the Destin jetties they are pretty much gone.

 

[ReefHound]

Since I've had no luck finding the site, can you tell me the approximate dimensions of the reefing area? Are the xmas trees far enough apart you could swim thru them and miss them? The path thru the dunes, is that the breach that is by the gravel unloading area at the entrance of the parking lot?

 

[Hetland]

I was wondering if maybe they just moved for the winter Although, that octopus was a decent size.

I think blue crabs migrate offshore in the winter and bury themselves in the substrate, where they remain inactive until the water warms up. So it's not surprising you didn't see any. I've noticed that in late Nov. around the Destin jetties they are pretty much gone.

I've never found blues this time of year. Stones are still around, but I usually find them close to shore, and in the bays.

 

[Tessunderwater]

Since I've had no luck finding the site, can you tell me the approximate dimensions of the reefing area? Are the xmas trees far enough apart you could swim thru them and miss them? The path thru the dunes, is that the breach that is by the gravel unloading area at the entrance of the parking lot?

Google has updated thier satellite image of the site and you can see the reef on the image. Hopefully this link will work for you. Google Maps
If you look close by the east entrance of the parking lot, there are two small walkways through the sand which almost line up with the reef. I'm planning on going again this weekend if you want a buddy.

 

[Hetland]

Google has updated thier satellite image of the site and you can see the reef on the image. Hopefully this link will work for you. Google Maps
If you look close by the east entrance of the parking lot, there are two small walkways through the sand which almost line up with the reef. I'm planning on going again this weekend if you want a buddy.

Nice! Thanks for posting!

I thought I remembered the reef being wider on the inshore side (more "trees")... Am I just remembering it wrong?

 

[ReefHound]

Thx for the offer Tess, I live in Houston and get their 3 or 4 times a year but it'll be a few months til the next visit.

 

[ReefHound]

That map helps a lot. I had the idea they were a rectangular zone with the long side aligned parallel to shore not perpendicular. I think we were going way too far out. Also we were submerging by shore and heading out underwater. You'd have to be spot on to hit it going south from shore. Getting the distance right is crucial.