Charters in Palm Beach and Broward Counties opened back up!

[annasea]

Beautiful day diving yesterday with Diversity off of Highland Beach and Boca Raton. Calm west winds, seas less than 1', mid-80s air temp, 80 degree water temp, 50-80' visibility. We did Finks Grouper Hole and Brighton Ledge.

Great you got out! And sorry to read about the lax protocol. How were the dives themselves, though? I ask b/c I did a couple of check-out dives with this boat once... nothing but a whole lotta sand, which is what I've heard from other far more experienced divers than me with regard to this op. My sense was his popularity stemmed from his (low) prices rather than quality drops.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Great you got out! And sorry to read about the lax protocol. How were the dives themselves, though? I ask b/c I did a couple of check-out dives with this boat once... nothing but a whole lotta sand, which is what I've heard from other far more experienced divers than me with regard to this op. My sense was his popularity stemmed from his (low) prices rather than quality drops.

The drops were fine. Right on the reef both times ... Finks Grouper Hole & Brighton.

He is one of the cheapest charters around however by $10-20 per charter.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Are Florida boat prices the same now as they were pre covid?

The operators I use (I stick to 3 primary) currently have the same prices as pre-covid.

Correction ... I've noticed at least 1 of the boats I use regularly has raised their charter rates vs pre-covid.

 

[loady]

Are the prices higher because of less passengers or what?

 

[loady]

Thanks

 

[scubadada]

The operators I use (I stick to 3 primary) currently have the same prices as pre-covid.

Correction ... I've noticed at least 1 of the boats I use regularly has raised their charter rates vs pre-covid.

I noticed that too

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Are the prices higher because of less passengers or what?

Well yea. When a charter cannot take out as many paying passengers they need more from the remaining passengers to turn a profit. Simple economics. Most charters that are keeping their rates the same are probably just breaking even at best. If the reduced-capacity requirements last too long into the future I expect that more of the charters will raise their rates.

 

[The Chairman]

Be aware diving without a flag is against the law.

Only within 3 miles of the coast.

I ask b/c I did a couple of check-out dives with this boat once... nothing but a whole lotta sand,

Many instructors request a "whole lotta sand" for check out dives.

 

[annasea]

Only within 3 miles of the coast.

Many instructors request a "whole lotta sand" for check out dives.

I was only doing Nitrox. However, I think he also had a pair along doing AOW. Regardless, when I told my experienced tech diver pal about it, he knew right away who I was speaking of, so clearly there was a reputation at play.

 

[The Chairman]

so clearly there was a reputation at play.

Yeah, imagine that.

My students want me to teach them how to dive... so lets have some fun dives!