West Palm Beach Diving 9/22 thru 9/27

[erparamedic]

I guess I just love wrecks. It is something about the feel of the history behind it...the reaching into the past..the nostalgia of the blending of the past with the present...

This is a copy/paste from PVD's website. I thought it was pretty cool.

Mizpah Corridor
This is defiantely one of the best dives in Palm Beach County. The bulk of the corridor is composed of three wrecks (Mizpah, PC1170, and Amaryllis) that line up to form an amazing 1700 foot drift dive. The first wreck, the Mizpah, was sunk in 1968 and lies in ~85 feet of water just a few minutes north of the inlet. She's a 185ft Greek luxury liner, showcasing three distinct levels that Goliath grouper love to congregate in. Next in line is the PC1170, an old patrol craft measuring 160ft in length. Also sunk in 1968, the PC1170 is split in two pieces under the bow of the Mizpah. Following an large rock pile, the Amaryllis is the third in line on this dive. Only the hull and bottom deck of this 450 foot ship remain as the other decks were removed to salvage the boat after it washed ashore during a hurricane. The China Barge is the fourth in line on this amazing site, although most divers don't reach it before needing to ascend.

As a dive site, The Corridor is an excellent training site for advanced deep and wreck specialties.

 

[scuba70]

Denise,
I'm with Jamie on this one. I also stayed at the Marriott in July. What a great resort. You could walk to Pura Vida if you wanted too. They are the best! They took such good care of us, and even took our tanks to the marina. Their boat was broken when I was there, but they were able to get us onto the Narcosis. Also a very nice time with their folks, but they don't have a shop. The Blue Heron Bridge is another great dive while you're there. Plan to be in the water about 15 minutes prior to high tide. We were in for well over an hour. I'm already planning our next trip to WPB. Let us know how your trip goes, and who you use. I'm quite envious of you!!! Have fun.

 

[denisegg]

Thanks again!! I am very excited!! The Corridor is a definite must. I will have to see what day they will be diving that. It sounds fascinating!!

 

[Doubles]

Couple of other excellent dive ops are

Loggerhead in Boynton Beach
http://www.loggerheadcharters.com/

and

Abernathy's Deep Obsession in WPB
http://www.scuba-adventures.com/

Cheers

-s

 

[deepstops]

Thanks for the info. I will look into the Boynton Beach diving idea. And thanks for the restaurant tip. I love seafood but my husband loves steaks so he will appreciate that tip.

ScubaKevDM has an ongoing chronicle of the diving in Boynton here.

 

[denisegg]

I have only been drift diving once. Are the currents pretty manageable there? Won't we dive in groups and follow someone carrying a flag/marker and then the boat pick us up from that marker? Is a 2m sleeveless wetsuit enough? I do always wear gloves and boots.

 

[fisheyeview]

Thanks for the info. I will look into the Boynton Beach diving idea. And thanks for the restaurant tip. I love seafood but my husband loves steaks so he will appreciate that tip.

If your husband loves steaks there is a great restaurant 10 - 15 minutes from where you are staying. It is the Okeechobee Steak House. It is one of the best steaks places around. You will not be disapointed.

http://okeesteakhouse.com/

 

[denisegg]

Thanks fisheyeview!! He will definitely appreciate that!!

 

[Doubles]

I have only been drift diving once. Are the currents pretty manageable there? Won't we dive in groups and follow someone carrying a flag/marker and then the boat pick us up from that marker? Is a 2m sleeveless wetsuit enough? I do always wear gloves and boots.

Most of the time the currents are not bad, once in a while they rip. But even when they rip as long as your drifting on the reef it should be easy. You don't swim and don't use up much air. The water temp should be between 82-84 depending on depth.

Some boats put a DM in to carry a flag, others put groups in with one person taking the flag. If you have to ascend before the person with the flag does and if the current is moving, you will likely not be able to remain with the flag as you do your safety stop. In which case its a great idea to have a SMB with you, for when you do surface.

Of course I think all divers should have an SMB when diving in the ocean

Cheers

-s

 

[denisegg]

I do carry one with me on all ocean dives. I would just rather not have to use it...