Any new recommendations/experiences in West Palm-Boynton area?

Last year my daughter and I did a few dives with Kevin, who I know is very popular and a regular on this board. we had a good time and are happy to dive with him again. I was just wondering if anyone had any other glowing recommendations for other operators in the West Palm to Boynton area? I will be there the first week in April and probably have about 3 good days to dive. Thanks in advance,

Mike

Hi Mike,

I don't know about West Palm but you may want to try Jupiter, I find it complimenteary to the beatiful reefs in Boynton Beach. I use Jupiter Dive Center, a good 3 tanker on Friday and Sunday, but hear that both Emerald Charters and Scuba Works Blue Tang are also very good. I also dive with Underwater Exporers in Boynton, my favorite SE FL operator.

Good diving, Craig

Check out Loggerhead Dive Charters of Boynton Beach. I've had several dives with them. Highly recommended.

Ron

I like diving with Van on the Narcosis. A plus with his boat is that given the size you rarely get "blown out" and unable to dive. On one day of my last trip, several operators cancelled due to 5' seas. His boat handled this well and we had great dives. He does not "mother" you but with your level of dives doubt you need this. He dives the sites in Jupiter to Breakers in WP to Pauls and Horseshoe to the South. Very reasonably priced. Gives you an hour on each dive. Has nitrox rentals.

We just did three days of diving off West Palm and Jupiter. The first day was with Jim Abernethy's boat, and I have nothing but glowing praise for that operation. The crew were enormously helpful, loading all the gear, and providing quick and effective assistance for divers moving to the swim step and climbing the ladder. The boat was immaculate, and accomodated our group (11 divers, I think) quite easily. They'd be my first choice for a dive op, if I were to go back.

The second day, we dove with the Walker boat out of West Palm. They were good people and did a nice job of getting us to the sites, and they were helpful, but the boat isn't laid out as well and was more crowded, and the ladder sucks. (Crawling to my station didn't float MY boat.)

The third day we dove out of Jupiter Dive Center, and I had some significant issues with them. The ramp you use to board and exit the boat is not secured, either at the dock end or on the boat. It has no hand rails. The crew did not help load or unload gear, so we were walking heavy equipment up a steep metal ramp with no way to help stabilize ourselves. The fall was about 10 feet to mud. In addition, the crew while on the boat did not assist divers from their stations to the swim step, or up the ladder and back onto the boat, nor did they relieve divers of things like cameras before reboarding. I wasn't impressed.

TSandM:

We just did three days of diving off West Palm and Jupiter. The first day was with Jim Abernethy's boat, and I have nothing but glowing praise for that operation. The crew were enormously helpful, loading all the gear, and providing quick and effective assistance for divers moving to the swim step and climbing the ladder. The boat was immaculate, and accomodated our group (11 divers, I think) quite easily. They'd be my first choice for a dive op, if I were to go back.

The second day, we dove with the Walker boat out of West Palm. They were good people and did a nice job of getting us to the sites, and they were helpful, but the boat isn't laid out as well and was more crowded, and the ladder sucks. (Crawling to my station didn't float MY boat.)

The third day we dove out of Jupiter Dive Center, and I had some significant issues with them. The ramp you use to board and exit the boat is not secured, either at the dock end or on the boat. It has no hand rails. The crew did not help load or unload gear, so we were walking heavy equipment up a steep metal ramp with no way to help stabilize ourselves. The fall was about 10 feet to mud. In addition, the crew while on the boat did not assist divers from their stations to the swim step, or up the ladder and back onto the boat, nor did they relieve divers of things like cameras before reboarding. I wasn't impressed.

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I can confirm the ramp problem, it should be taken care of. A pulley lowered ramp with wheels might work under these circumstances. I've alwas had sufficient help from the crew, this might have been specific to the day Lynne dived. In fact, I would generally consider the crew to be very helpful.

Good diving, Craig

I agree that Abernathy is a great op also.

In those areas I've only gone out with Jupiter Dive Center and Dolphin Sun (Lantana).

Dolphin Sun was fantastic. Friendly crew, laid back and safe while recognizing your skill level and letting you dive as you see fit. If you're doing an AM and PM the restaurant a few feet from the boat has great take-out or sit down. I'll be visiting them (the restaurant and Dolphin Sun) again.

Jupiter Dive Center: I agree with TSandM's "I wasn't impressed." Here's a quasi-quote (in italics) from my 10/'10 trip report: There were hunters and non-hunters on both trips. Seems JDC's protocol is to launch the hunters first then the non-hunters, while providing a guide, although some of the guided divers also hunted. The briefing consisted of telling the divers how much bottom time they had; providing different times for air vs. N2 users, as well as what stuff we might encounter, how to know when to begin your ascent based on remaining gas, etc. I got a distinct feeling that this op might be a better choice for the divers who need more 'attention.' I had to swap boats for the PM dive and there was no time to get lunch. The boat-provided animal crackers and pretzels got less appetizing as the day wore on. It was obvious that several of the folks had good breakfasts and lunches although they were mostly unrecognizable when I saw them. None of the preceeding was particularly problematic but, like TSandM inferred, that gangplank embarking and disembarking demanded your attention. Oh, when we were leaving the boat the protocol seemed to be for everyone to pitch in forming a tank relay line. Again no big deal. A JDC "helper" did guide me back to my seat when reboarding after a dive. I felt I had to work more to keep from being pushed off balance by him than if I'd been managing on my own. I told him, "I can make it OK." He said, "It's my job." The folks in the shop were very friendly. I will dive again with them if alternatives aren't available.

I reentered the world of diving almost two years ago. I live in Vero Beach which is about 70 miles north of Jupiter. I have used different charters from Jupiter to Key Largo. I can honestly say I have only one bad experience due to the charter crew. I will not mention the name as perhaps maybe they were having a terrible day and it was just my luck to hit them on that day. But given the alternatives in the area I won't return.

Anyway I was surprised to see negative comments on JDC. I dive Jupiter primarily as it is the closest for me heading down from the north. Poor me The ramp is problematic. But at low tide there is no easy way on or off the boats I have used in Jupiter. The Blue Tang (a fine operation) isn't the easiest of boats to board either, nor handing off equipment. But a ramp with no support isn't all that unusual in my experience. I admit you have to be alert especially at low tide when the angle of the ramp to the boat is steep.

I've never had a bad experience with the crew. I'm not a photographer but I have always seen the crew helping with the cameras and strobes. The briefings I receive are very detailed as to the reef, compass headings and what to expect. Now the DM may tell you what the bottom times are but I have found it is really up to the diver. If my gas is ok and not nearing no deco limits I stay down and no one has given me a problem. Once you are down you can stay with the group or head off with your buddy.

I don't have a problem that they allow hunters aboard. It can get tedious waiting for them to drop and then getting set up for the second drop for non hunters. But they have never given me a bad drop. I was surprised to read they dropped hunters in with the regular group.

There are times when it has seemed some deck hands are more proactive than others. They have even rescued me when I forgot to unbungee my tank after gearing up. (May he who has not sinned cast the first stone!) One buddy I had had trouble with his BC and we resurfaced after going half way down. The boat picked us up promptly and the crew fixed the problem and set us up for a drop in no time. They are always waiting to assist me back to my seat etc. I've learned a lot from the crew and instructors as well as the DM's.

Aside from all of the above I like the parking and the rinse/soak tubs on the dock parking lot area. Rinse your gear there and head home. The boats are roomy, depending on the number of people, and the christmas tree style ladder makes exit with fins efficient. The snacks are standard fare on dive boats around here, sometimes they have fruit. I only take water in between dives.

I would not hesitate to recommend JDC to any diver.

Hey F106A! What do you know about Florida diving....you're from Go# Da*&! New Jersey! (Just kidding. Grew up 2 exits south of you in Ocean City)