- Messages
- 19,720
- Reaction score
- 18,570
- Location
- Philadelphia and Boynton Beach
- # of dives
- 1000 - 2499
After a 178 day surface interval, I finally got back in the water in Jupiter.
The Philadelphia airport was considerably busier than it was last Sept, but, still, well below normal activity. Of course it is Spring Break, but mid week. Many of the vendors are still closed. The AA Admiral's Club in B/C is open and they even have a limited self service for food and drink items. Everyone in the airport and on the plane complied with masking. The airport in West Palm was only moderately busy. The Emerald Isle at National Car is back open, but, with a poor selection. It worked out fine. I made my one run to the grocery store at Winn Dixie, it was uncrowded and everyone was masked. One of the reasons I chose to come down now is that my wife and I are fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine. My 2nd dose was Feb 16. I am strictly following masking and distancing. The only place I go is out on the boats.
Day 1 March 17
I did 4 tanks today with JDC. It was a pretty rough day out, solid 2-4, occasional 5, occasional bigger. As you can imagine, several people fell down, several people got seasick. The air temperature was warm, low to mid 80s, moderate wind. The water was significantly warmer than I was told it had been lately, I was told 72-74, it was 77-78. My 7mm was a bit much, I will switch to my 5mm. The visibility was not the best, 30-40 feet most of the time. The current was quite brisk all day. We did Wreck Trek and Bluffs in the morning and Spadefish Point and Scarface in the afternoon. The current was a bit much for Wreck Trek, too much holding on, it was fine for the reefs. Easily, the highlight of the day was a big Tiger Shark at Spadefish Point. As we drifted north, it casually swam south, turned broadside to us briefly before disappearing. This is only the second Tiger Shark I have seen in SE FL, both in Jupiter. There was lots of other cool stuff on all the dives, Lemon Sharks, Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Goliath Grouper, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and a Green Turtle, Green Morays, and all the usual reef fish.
This was a really great day back in the water. I was scheduled to do another 4 tanks with JDC in the morning, including the Sawfish Expedition dive. Unfortunately, my streak remains unbroken. I have signed up for the Sawfish dive 4 times, each time it has been cancelled due to conditions. Lucky for me, I will be doing 2 tanks with Narcosis in West Palm in the morning.
It's great to be back, I am very grateful
No, don't ask, there will be no photos from today. With the current and visibility, I left the camera behind and just enjoyed the dives.
Edit: Sorry, I forgot to mention. JDC is still going out with a limited load and encourages masking whenever possible. Good policy.
The Philadelphia airport was considerably busier than it was last Sept, but, still, well below normal activity. Of course it is Spring Break, but mid week. Many of the vendors are still closed. The AA Admiral's Club in B/C is open and they even have a limited self service for food and drink items. Everyone in the airport and on the plane complied with masking. The airport in West Palm was only moderately busy. The Emerald Isle at National Car is back open, but, with a poor selection. It worked out fine. I made my one run to the grocery store at Winn Dixie, it was uncrowded and everyone was masked. One of the reasons I chose to come down now is that my wife and I are fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine. My 2nd dose was Feb 16. I am strictly following masking and distancing. The only place I go is out on the boats.
Day 1 March 17
I did 4 tanks today with JDC. It was a pretty rough day out, solid 2-4, occasional 5, occasional bigger. As you can imagine, several people fell down, several people got seasick. The air temperature was warm, low to mid 80s, moderate wind. The water was significantly warmer than I was told it had been lately, I was told 72-74, it was 77-78. My 7mm was a bit much, I will switch to my 5mm. The visibility was not the best, 30-40 feet most of the time. The current was quite brisk all day. We did Wreck Trek and Bluffs in the morning and Spadefish Point and Scarface in the afternoon. The current was a bit much for Wreck Trek, too much holding on, it was fine for the reefs. Easily, the highlight of the day was a big Tiger Shark at Spadefish Point. As we drifted north, it casually swam south, turned broadside to us briefly before disappearing. This is only the second Tiger Shark I have seen in SE FL, both in Jupiter. There was lots of other cool stuff on all the dives, Lemon Sharks, Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Goliath Grouper, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and a Green Turtle, Green Morays, and all the usual reef fish.
This was a really great day back in the water. I was scheduled to do another 4 tanks with JDC in the morning, including the Sawfish Expedition dive. Unfortunately, my streak remains unbroken. I have signed up for the Sawfish dive 4 times, each time it has been cancelled due to conditions. Lucky for me, I will be doing 2 tanks with Narcosis in West Palm in the morning.
It's great to be back, I am very grateful
No, don't ask, there will be no photos from today. With the current and visibility, I left the camera behind and just enjoyed the dives.
Edit: Sorry, I forgot to mention. JDC is still going out with a limited load and encourages masking whenever possible. Good policy.
