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The weather in Florida in the past week could best be termed as Weather by Sybil. We’ve seen both end of the spectrum from the sublime to the austere. We’ve been stuck in torrential downpours, but also experienced  glass-like conditions like we haven’t seen since last summer. A sign of the coming times, no doubt.

Thankfully today was one day that the weather gods decided they would grant us some latitude in a superfluous manner. In other words: it was beautiful out there!

Our day of diving would include some of the shallow reefs, Ron’s and Flower Gardens, in the southern end of our reef tract as well as a little deeper diving at South Double Ledges and Mid Reef. Conditions would change little except for a surprising drop in water temperature from 78 to 75 degrees between the northern and southern reefs.

Thankfully the marine life encounters more than made up for it. Turtles, both large and small, joined us on most of the dives, especially on Mid Reef. Eels of all sorts were tucked in their reef crevices and one spotted eel was out and about nuclear hunting with a blue runner and a gang of misfit fish. Two gorgeous carpet anemones with their host anemone shrimp adorned the colorful reef.

A very mild north current directed the divers along the reef. Keen on encountering not only the leviathans of our reefs, but also the smaller critters, every fin kick was filled with new discoveries. That’s what diving is all about! What will mother ocean and the weather gods bring us next? Come out diving with us and be a part of the scuba adventure.

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There’s nothing quite like turning the last corner of the Lake Worth inlet and seeing glass-like water conditions up to the edge of the horizon. The only thing better is when the water is also a clear, gorgeous cobalt blue color, too. Luckily for those on today’s 3 tank and lunch trip that is exactly what they were experiencing.

Our first dive of the day would be to the Corridor wrecks where we would come face-to-face with goliath groupers, stingrays, and a friendly hawksbill turtle (still batting a 1000). Strewn throughout the wrecks was the ever presence and deadly fishing line. A big part of every dive on this wreck dive for me is cleaning up the discarded fishing line and hooks that can snare and kill the many turtles that make these wrecks their home. Simply using circle hooks could save fishermen from many such entanglements. If only more of them would practice such a simple act.

While the waters looked clear blue, because of the immense volume of rain we have been experiencing the waters were a bit dusty, but the diving was spectacular none the less. Visibility on the wrecks was about 40 feet.

In order to reach the gin-clear waters we had seen a bit off shore we decided to do some of the reefs in the area. Our first choice was a drift across Nun’s reef through Midreef. Upon entering the water we were presented with over a hundred feet of visibility across this stunning fish-filled reef. Numerous eels, a loggerhead turtle, and tons of tropical fish fit the diving bill.

Last, but certainly not least, the day ended with a drift across South Double Ledges. The blue water was still with us as we dove into over 100 feet of visibility again. Amongst the critters spotted, a large school of tuna was a special treat. Black coral draped many spots of the reef. Fun was to be had by all, but the father and son team of Jay and Eric reveled in a little extra fun with an underwater race and a little headbutting challenge. Following a squadron of barracudas we slowly ascended into a mystical safety stop full of planktonic creatures.

Overall, no one could have asked for a better day and we were fortunate to escape unscathed from the torrential down pours that have been the afternoon special event in south Florida. Well… At atleast until our return back home which was a treat to not only cool down the hot Florida sun, but provide with a free gear rinsing in the process.

Purchase a DVD of this video:

Only $24.99

*NOTE: Printable images are NOT included with the DVD.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make a difference by writing or showing up in protest of the recent Fort Myers Beach shark fishing tournament. Without your help we would have not been successful. Read all about it here.