Dive Review of Multiple operators/Private home in
The Continental USA/SE Florida

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Multiple operators/Private home: "Unusual conditions", Jun, 2021, by Craig A Wood, PA, US ( Top Contributor 54 reports with 48 Helpful votes). Report 11544.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations	N/A	Food	N/A
Service and Attitude	N/A	Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
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Comments	The Philadelphia airport was as busy as I can remember it before the pandemic. Everyone is wearing masks in the airport and on the plane. The Palm Beach airport was very busy, as busy as ever. Everyone wore masks. I got my car from National, still, everyone masked, poor selection of cars, they seem very busy. No masks for the vaccinated at Winn Dixie, I hope all who were without masks were actually vaccinated. Day 1 of Diving, June 23 I did 4 dives with Jupiter Dive Center. No masks in the shop or on the boat. The first 2 dives were at Bonnie's and Bluffs, the afternoon was at Area 51 and Scarface. It was a challenging day, weeded out the less than prepared. The morning dives had brisk current, vis of only 20-30 feet and a water temp of 78-79. Seas were about 2-3, wind came up and it rained in the afternoon. I was in a full 3 mm and added a hooded vest The afternoon had brisk current, same visibility, but a water temp of 71-72 , brrrrr. I added my gloves to the 2nd dive, helped a little. Despite the poor vis, there were some highlights. I took my camera on the 1st dive but, without taking a photo, bagged it for the rest of the day. Saw 2-3 Lemon Sharks, several Reef Sharks, a couple of Nurse Sharks, about 4 Loggerhead, a Hawksbill, many Green Morays, and all the usual reef fish. There were a couple of large school of Bermuda Chub and the largest school of Porkfish that I have ever seen. Day 2 of Diving, June 24 So, yesterday afternoon the water temp was in the low 70s. Today I wore my full 5 mm with the 5/3 hooded vest, I should have worn my full 7 mm. Went out for 4 dives, actually, only did 2, with Jupiter Dive Center. The morning was beautiful, seas were around 2 feet. The first dive was at North Juno Ledge, the second at Guppy Ledge, both new to me. We descended on the first dive and it got colder and colder. There was a mild north current. By the time we leveled off at nearly 80 feet, it was 60 degrees!! The vis was spectacular, probably 80-100 feet. Unfortunately, it seems like the fish found it cold also. We saw a couple of Goliath Grouper hanging out at 55 feet or so, where the water was much warmer, low 70s, believe me, it was noticeable. No sharks, no turtles, sparse usual reef fish. Despite ascending to somewhat warmer water, this dive only lasted 44 min. The second dive was also very cold, around 70 degrees at 50 something feet, plummeted at depth, I could not stand it long enough for my computer to get to steady state. Very little reef life, saw one really beautiful female Loggerhead, Dive only lasted 35 min. The afternoon dive was cancelled, several of us were on the morning boat. Hannah was very lucky to not have to go out in the afternoon. Rob was not so lucky in the morning, but gave it a good try. He stayed with me on the bottom for 25 minutes on the first dive. Captain Tim was great. We'll give it another try in the morning, with my 7 mm full suit. I don't think I have ever dived my 3, 5, and 7 mm full suit on 3 consecutive days. There's always something. Day 3 of Diving, June 25 I was scheduled to do 4 dives with JDC today, the afternoon was cancelled. The day was beautiful, sunny and warm. Seas were up when we went out, solid 2-4, occasionally bigger. Fortunately it flattened out over the morning, but, no solace to those who were already sick. Conditions were not great, mild south current, visibility no better than 20 feet, water temperature was 69 on the first dive at 73 feet, 71 on the second dive at 70 feet. I was not cold today, I wore my full 7 mm and 5/3 mm hooded vest. Others on the boat were shivering. First dive was at Bonnie's, second was at Lighthouse. There was essentially no reef life on the 1st dive, a barren landscape. On the second dive, there were a few dead fish, a couple of Whitespotted Filefish and a Trumpet, very sad. We did see a lone female Loggerhead swimming on the reef. Just before the end of the dive, a huge school of Bermuda Chub came by, probably the largest school I have seen. They completely blotted out the light from the surface for several minutes, and then they were gone. Day 4 of Diving, June 26 I had a really great day of diving today, I did 4 dives with Walker's Charters out of Riviera Beach. The day was variable between warm and sunny and light sprinkles Seas also varied between 2-3 in the morning, bigger going out in the afternoon, then settled again. Water temps were a balmy 80-81 degrees. In the morning, there was a moderate south current, in the afternoon, it was mild north. The only negative was the vis, 15-30 ft. Many Loggerhead turtles, a couple of Nurse Sharks, many Green Morays, a couple of Spotted Morays, a teeny Goldentail Moray, a bunch of lobster, now feeling safe, several Giant Anemones with a couple of small shrimp, and all the usual reef fish. Thanks to Bill, Forrest, Autumn, Juliana, Michelle, and Alli. Day 5 of Diving, June 27 3 tanker with Jupiter Dive Center today. It was generally a very nice day, sunny and warm. There was a thunderstorm downpour just before dive 3, but it was warm and sunny when we came back up. Seas were a solid 2-3, occasional bigger on the way out with a short period, a bit rough, a few sick divers. Laid down after that. There was a mild north current, water temp was 78-79 degrees, visibility was dismal, 10-25 feet. 1st dive was Area 51, second was Spadefish Point, 3rd was Capt. Kirle's into Bonnies. There were no sharks, no turtles, no Goliath Grouper. Fortunately, most of the usual reef fish are back after the freeze. Several Green Morays. It was a relaxing day of diving, added to the strange week I've had. Day 6 of Diving, June 28 Did 2 dives with Starfish Scuba out of Boynton Beach. the day started out sunny and hot, ended up quite cloudy with a few sprinkles. Seas were 2-3 feet. Water temp was 77 degrees, visibility 30-40 feet. First dive was at Delray Ledges with a mild north current. The reef was loaded with the usual fish, especially huge schools of Grunt. Encountered two beautiful female Loggerheads. A very relaxing dive. The second dive started on the outside reef at Briny Breezes with a crossover to the inside. Upon descending, there was a very strong pull to the east, making it difficult to stay on the reef. I made a slow crossover against the east pull to the inside, It continued to pull east and couldn't decide on north or south, so, I did a little of each, with a net move of essentially nothing. The reef was loaded with the usual suspects. Day 7 of Diving, June 29, last day I did 2 more dives with Starfish out of Boynton. It was generally warm and sunny. It clouded up, and just as we got back into the dock, it let loose with a short deluge. Seas were 2-3 My first dive was outside of Clubhouse (Boynton Ledges). The water at 80 feet was a cool 73 degrees, visibility was only about 30 ft. In my 5 mm with hooded vest, I got cold after a half hour and cut across the reef to the inside, where the temperature was 77-78 degrees, same visibility. Nothing special on this dive, all the usual reef fish. The 2nd dive was at the north end of the reef at Lynn's. I followed a Loggerhead down to the main reef and dived it for the rest of the dive. Water was 77 degrees and visibility remained at about 30 feet. With the exception of the Loggerhead, nothing special but a whole load of fish on the reef So, my plan for this trip was 24 dives in the 7 days. I feel pretty lucky that I got in 19 and dived every day. The water temp and visibility were really whacky this week. Sorry, no photos.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, Bonaire, Curacao, Turks & Caicos, Roatan, Cozumel, Key Largo, SE Florida (Boynton Beach, Jupiter, West Palm...), Maui, Oahu, Cape Ann, San Diego, Costa Rica, Panama, Cocos Island, Red Sea, Galapagos, Revillagigedos
Closest Airport	Palm Beach International	Getting There	Direct flight on American Airlines from Philadelphia
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, cloudy	Seas	choppy, currents
Water Temp	60-79°F / 16-26°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	15-40 Ft/ 5-12 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Operator specific run times
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	All three operators have provisions for cameras, crew take care

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Dive Review of Multiple operators/Private home in The Continental USA/SE Florida

Multiple operators/Private home: "Unusual conditions", Jun, 2021,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Multiple operators/Private home in
The Continental USA/SE Florida