Good, bad water conditions option

[RickI]

I am beta testing an underwater housing and have very little time to do it in. They graciously delayed through our one month plus unseasonable calmer period and delivered the unit once the wind came back along with a near unique February tropical system. Not having the time to grab a dive boat during the work week I was stuck with shore diving M-F. I checked out Blue Heron Bridge in the hope that visibility would be acceptable there unlike much of the nearshore ocean areas currently. Viz. was approaching 50 ft. this morning with a slight blue cast but light was low given the 8:20 am high tide and over cast conditions. So viz. was good, light was not so hot. The video was ok fortunately. I was going to hit the Delray Wreck on the way home after work today to get what I hoped might be brighter and low but acceptably clear conditions. No joy there, I understand viz. was about 7 ft! So, 50 ft. vs. 7 ft., you decide. The Bridge has macrofauna as everyone knows, fin fish, even sea cows at times but is limited in other ways. It is a reinforced concrete structure after all. Still, when you need clearer conditions, if the winds are on, it may provide a good option for you. I think the reason vis. is better there than further south is the narrow shelf limiting the amount of sediment that can be put into suspension offshore from wave action. The narrow shelf and other factors allow the Gulfstream to approach close to shore, conditions willing bringing clear waters into the inlet. Lots on here probably know all this already but it is rare for me to head that far north. It is good to have options.

[herbdb]

My son and I are flying into Miami Saturday night and driving to Key Largo. We are scheduled for three days of AM and PM dives, Sun-Tues.

The weather forecasts are looking worse and worse as the trip gets closer. Seems like this happens to me more often than not. Really frustrating.

If we switch to Singer Island, high tide is midday. What are conditions likely to be at Blue Heron Bridge? Will offshore conditions be similar to Key Largo if we want to boat dive? We were looking for four dives a day, is BHB good for more than one dive per day?

Another option would be to drive to the west coast of Florida, typically how do condition compare?

Finally, could anyone suggest ideas for diving the Springs?

We need some insight from residents.

[RickI]

Sunday through Tuesday is fairly far off in the wind forecasts and as such are unreliable. It looks like a moderate cold front is to pass over around the time your fly in bringing stronger winds, 20 kts. off Key Largo and about 15 to 20 kts. off West Palm Beach to the north but current estimates. The frontal winds will clear first in the north followed by lessening winds further south. Again, actual conditions may well differ from the current long range NWS forecast, NWS Miami-South Florida

I am no expert on BHB but understand most folks target the dive at slack high tide for low currents and improved visibility. There will be one high tide near mid day during your visit with another in the middle of the night. So one dive per day at BHB seems about it during your trip there. Sunday looks fairly strong off West Palm Beach making coastal diving rough and similar to Key Largo if the forecast comes about.

I regularly see lots of divers from the west coast of Florida on charter boats in the southeast. Many seem to prefer diving off this section of coast. I did a reef study off Tampa Bay years back and aside from helping with an ITC at USF that is about it for my Gulf Coast diving experience. Vis. is usually lower, water colder and bottom features, reefs, further from shore.

The springs are indifferent to winds and impacted at times by heavier rains. You could visit Crystal River for the manatees, Ginnie, Troy, Devils Den, Weeki Wachee, etc. and do dives and floats too over a few days. Cave certification is required for penetrations at springs but cavern diving is accessible in these particular springs. It is a different diving environment, chilly at 72 F in the water with often exceptional visibility and worth checking out in my opinion.

My son and I are flying into Miami Saturday night and driving to Key Largo. We are scheduled for three days of AM and PM dives, Sun-Tues.

The weather forecasts are looking worse and worse as the trip gets closer. Seems like this happens to me more often than not. Really frustrating.

If we switch to Singer Island, high tide is midday. What are conditions likely to be at Blue Heron Bridge? Will offshore conditions be similar to Key Largo if we want to boat dive? We were looking for four dives a day, is BHB good for more than one dive per day?

Another option would be to drive to the west coast of Florida, typically how do condition compare?

Finally, could anyone suggest ideas for diving the Springs?

We need some insight from residents.

[herbdb]

Thanks for the response

[RickI]

You are welcome. You might check back as your travel comes closer for a fresh look at forecasts and options. Things often change.

[timg]

My son and I are flying into Miami Saturday night and driving to Key Largo. We are scheduled for three days of AM and PM dives, Sun-Tues.

The weather forecasts are looking worse and worse as the trip gets closer. Seems like this happens to me more often than not. Really frustrating.

... Will offshore conditions be similar to Key Largo if we want to boat dive?

We need some insight from residents.

Here is the site I use every day for conditions on Molasses Reef:
NDBC - Station MLRF1

Hope the winds calm for you, wherever you choose to dive.

[tibenmiami]

A diver said vis at BHB today was 10 FT

I am beta testing an underwater housing and have very little time to do it in. They graciously delayed through our one month plus unseasonable calmer period and delivered the unit once the wind came back along with a near unique February tropical system. Not having the time to grab a dive boat during the work week I was stuck with shore diving M-F. I checked out Blue Heron Bridge in the hope that visibility would be acceptable there unlike much of the nearshore ocean areas currently. Viz. was approaching 50 ft. this morning with a slight blue cast but light was low given the 8:20 am high tide and over cast conditions. So viz. was good, light was not so hot. The video was ok fortunately. I was going to hit the Delray Wreck on the way home after work today to get what I hoped might be brighter and low but acceptably clear conditions. No joy there, I understand viz. was about 7 ft! So, 50 ft. vs. 7 ft., you decide. The Bridge has macrofauna as everyone knows, fin fish, even sea cows at times but is limited in other ways. It is a reinforced concrete structure after all. Still, when you need clearer conditions, if the winds are on, it may provide a good option for you. I think the reason vis. is better there than further south is the narrow shelf limiting the amount of sediment that can be put into suspension offshore from wave action. The narrow shelf and other factors allow the Gulfstream to approach close to shore, conditions willing bringing clear waters into the inlet. Lots on here probably know all this already but it is rare for me to head that far north. It is good to have options.