Scuba diving post hurricane Wilma

[blameitonthenurse]

Just curious- doing my first boat dive next weekend- How is vis going to be and should I postpone for the following week? Does it change the species that I might see?

Maybe it will uncover something good for those diving that week!

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Where are you diving at? More info would be helpful, but in the end, we wont' know how bad Wilma will be until it hits where-ever it hits as hard as it will hit.

 

[String]

I dived in the keys 2 days after Dennis and it was ok. Seas fairly calm. Vis around 10ft increasing to 50ft or so 3 days after that.

 

[blameitonthenurse]

Where are you diving at? More info would be helpful, but in the end, we wont' know how bad Wilma will be until it hits where-ever it hits as hard as it will hit.

Sorry about that. I am not even sure. Either Sarasota or Ft. Laud area(all in Florida); One is in the Gulf of Mex, other is Atlantic side(for the out of state people).
Thanks

 

[The Dive Bum]

If it were me, I would postpone a week. The biggest reason is because since it is your first boat dive I would like to see you enjoy it more and I think you would if the vis is better.

 

[kensuguro]

I went 4 days after Katrina down to the Spiegel in Key Largo.. 2' waves, viz was 30ft+ (or more). So, I think things should definitely be okay after a week or so. I was told that the critters in the reefs retreat to deeper areas, so you may see more stuff on a deep dive. Maybe. Hurricanes obviously freaks them out and they go into hiding.

Water temp is rapidly decreasing these past few weeks, and the seas are unstable. Probably has to do with Wilma.. the waves can get pretty nasty so again, wait a week, or close to a week just so you can get a pleasant dive.

 

[CBulla]

Gulf diving is going to be a real mess... The keys or other coast... it'll be OK. 25-30 is cruddy vis for down there.

 

[gr8fuldiverNC]

guess you all are starting to feel wilma up there. Im on the bay islands in honduras, and we still cant get out, too rough. hopefully tomorrow

 

[blameitonthenurse]

Thanks for the info...i will try to go to the Atlantic side of Florida and wait the week out. Please post if your dive is great or shoddy over the next week, gulf side or Atlantic.

 

[Brewone0to]

Mel Fisher had a great couple of dives after a hurricane,but if the storm hasn't yet kicked up surf where you are at.
Why not dive before and after to see for yourself.
That way you will get the best dive either way.
Of course this means you'll have to make arrangements for a control dive a few weeks later...Just to be sure they both weren't bad days to dive.
Wait!! Scratch that.... There is no such thing as a bad dive.Some are just better than others.

Brian
Just Another Florida Diver