Looe Key Dive Report.
Sorry Scuba boarders no pics but here is a dive trip report.....
May 23rd-24th 2006
Looe Key Reefs /The Adolphus Busch.
This was my first dive trip to Looe Key.
Could not wait,since i have heard so much about diving this area of Florida Keys.
Crossing the Seven Mile Bridge in the keys affords one of the most scenic vistas of the whole trip, and at its southern end, the bridge deposits you on Long Key. From here, we island-hopping through the Torch Keys, Big Pine Key and into Summerland Key and Wreckreation Charters at Mile Marker 25.
Hooked up with Rachel from Wreckreation Charters and her crew of Nikki and Capt.Chip.
Yes MsParamedic you are correct,Wreckreation is a first class operation!
Great people + they are a Very Diver/Customer service oriented dive operation.
(Nikki, It was fun Diving with you + had a great time!)
*Tell Rachel what you want and she can make your dive happen.
Reefs,Wrecks,Lobster/bug hunt, etc...
Nice 6 diver well stocked boat with plenty of tanks.
Short trip to Looe Key dive site's which is always a big plus....
Day 1> May 23rd
{2 Looe key Reef Dives.}
Dive #1
Site: Looe Key
Bottom Time: 49 Minutes
Max Depth: 30
Dive #2
Site: Looe Key
Bottom Time: 43 Minutes
Max Depth: 25
Conditions at the reef couldn't be better. Air temps hit 90+ degrees; slight overcast with mostly sunny skies. The winds were light with a 1 ft chop on the reef. Visibility was at least 60 feet, and the water temps held at appx 79 degrees. Excellent diving in the spur and groove formations that max out at about 35'. Fantastic fish and coral life.coral grooves stocked with life from jacks, damselfish, grunts, snapper, grouper,pork, parrotfish, angelfish, hamlet, and filefish.
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Day 2 > May 24th
Clear sunny skies,with calm seas. (*After all diving was done,on the boat ride back into Summerland key we did have a big cloud burst of drenching rain.)
Air temps in the low 90's and calm sea temp of 78-80 degrees .
Dive #1
Site: The Adolphus Busch
Bottom Time: 28 Minutes
Max Depth: 60+
Dive #2
Site: Looe Key
Bottom Time: 43 Minutes
Max Depth: 29
{Dive 1}> The Adolphus Busch
About 3 miles west of Looe Key we dove the Adolphus Busch, Sr., a retired freighter that rests perfectly upright in just 100 feet of water.
Transformed from a derelict freighter to a virtual fish magnet, with massive schools of tomtate grunts, horse-eye jacks and barracuda.
The 210 foot long ship was well prepared for experienced advanced divers with large holes cut for swim throughs. Large Jewfish, some weighing as much as 400 lbs live on the wreck.
The visibility on the wreck was 40 feet at the main deck, with a deep blue water column visibility of 60 feet.
{Dive 2} > Looe Key Reefs.
The reef had less visibility than yesterday, Visibility was appx 35 feet at the reef,with some suspended particulate causing the decrease.
Excellent diving again in the spur and groove formations + did a few swim throughs in the reef that were a blast! Lot's of critters, fish,morays and coral life to look at.Barracudas were very plentyfull on this dive. (Did not see any sharks.)
Would recommend Looe Key diving to other divers.
Thank You,Rachel and Wreckreation Charters you are the best!
Rascal
