Dive sites

Dive sites

• angelinaw 16 years ago
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• angelinaw 16 years ago said:
  Ok, now I tried to post this thread three times... and I don't know where it went!
  I'll try again....
  
  I am planning a group vacation to the Keys in the end of May. My group has six members, amd most of us are beginners. Three of the group (including me) will have our advanced open water certification in March, but I still think of myself as a newbie. Two of us are photographers and two of us are wreck people. I myself would rather spend an hour ata shallow depth taking lots of pictures, then going down deep, spending twenty minutes down and then have to turn around and begin the slow ascent twoards the surface.
  
  With all of that in mind, here is my itinerary:
  1. French reef, Key Largo - swim through tunnels, caves, and ledges and Christmas tree worms and rated for beginners.
  2. Molasses reef, Key Largo - a reef complex that goes on for miles and full of subjects for me to capture on film.
  3.Benwwod Wreck, Key Largo - a wreck that is rated intermediate, but still fairly shallow.
  4.Spiegal Grove, Key Largo - Ok, this looks daunting... a 510 foot ship that was sunk to become an artificial reef. I have read other divers reviews and I have questions... do I dive with Nitrox blend, do we hire a dive guide, and is it really that spectatcular?
  5. Alligator reef/Deep, Islamorada - a ledge that eventually goes into a deep chalked full of fish that are said not to be found elsewhwere.
  6.Davis Ledge - Nurse sharks and a buddha to rub - need I say more?
  7. Altantis (Neptune memorial), Miami - ok, put the thought of an underwater cemetary out of your head, and watch the video (online) and think underwater Indiana Jones discovering a lost city - cool!
  8. Toss up in Miami- Biscayne Freighter rated intermediate but great photographer's spot or Emerald Reef which is rated beginner but little else is written.
  
  Ok, I am open to feedback or questions.
  Good night all!
  
  Angelina
  
  
  
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• jimrug1 16 years ago said:
  Hi Angelina, Well I guess I will throw in my 2 cents...;-)~~ 1,2,3 & 5 are great choices. I have been to all of these more than once. There are a few pluses and minuses about each one but considering your groups experience level, they will be your most enjoyable dives. Spiegal is a little rough for beginers. Your certification level and your experience level are two different animals. Except on the calmest of days, the visability is usually not good and the current can be horrific. If you do decide to do it, the answer to question 1 is yes, 2. DEFINITELY 3. It is cool and if there were a few experienced divers in your group, maybe. It is quite deep you know. IMHO French and Moasas are huge reefs. You could dive them each 3 or 4 times and not see the same thing twice... They would be much more enjoyable... Alligator is one of my favorites. I can't say about Atlantic or the freighter in Biscayne because I have not been there... Now if they were real ruins or wrecks.......;-)~ I just have a thing about diving made made construction.... Hope this helps.... Jim
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• jimrug1 16 years ago said:
  PS.. Sorry about all the spelling errors... I wish they had and edit like on our main pages....... ;-)~
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• angelinaw 16 years ago said:
  Hi Jim!
  
  Spelling errors are ok., I understand about the editing because I have run into the same thing...
  
  Ok, are there any real wrecks or ruins in that area? I have already dived City of Washington and I will skip on a repeat for that site. Biscayne Freighter is a real wreck...
  
  You pretty much thought the same thing I was thinking about the SG. I don't know if it is worth it...I just don't dive enough up here because the water is too cold, even with multiple layers on. The idea of diving in a site that you can't see much and have to fight to keep your own against the current just doesn't do alot for me. (Lake Wachata in Arkansas is a prime example):( Maybe I will bow out for that dive...
  
  What about 6? Is snapper ledge any better?
  
  Angelina
  
  Any other dive site suggestions?
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• jimrug1 16 years ago said:
  I guess I am more of a reef diver so don't listen to me... LOL Wrecks, especially ones have beem sunk just for the tourists, just don't do much for me. If you have a fascination for diving cool old wrecks (like WWII or Pirate stuff, you need to plan a trip to Aruba or Bermuda sometime. I think the Biscayne Freighter was bought by some local fishermen who tried to sink it in deep water to help their Charter business but a hurricane blew it up into shallow water. A lot of ships do make good reefs though...;-)~
  
  Davis was ok but not a place I would go back. The nurse sharks and buddha statue are the main attraction.. Not that I have anything against Buddha... LOL When I lived in Marathon, we could see nurse sharks by snorklng off the campground beaches. I have hear that Snapper is pretty nice although I have never been there.
  
  We used to go about 10 miles straight out from the 7 mile bridge campground in Marathon to a lighthouse . There is a cool reef out there that is right on the edge of a cliff that drops down into the abyss... its kind of scary but a real rush...
  
  I think you have done a great job planning your trip. I'm jealous...;-)~ Also, so much of your dive experience has to do with the time of year, whether conditions, etc. Different fish hang out at the same reefs during different times of the year.
  
  Hope I have helped a little.
  
  
  
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• angelinaw 16 years ago said:
  Thanks for your help! (And yes, you did help!)
  
  I think I have most of my group talked into skipping the SG - it seems the number of people who would rather have a leisurely dive outnumber those want the adrenaline rush.
  
  Now I am on the hunt for a replacement for the SG and I think I like Snapper instead of Davis, especially after hearing your feedback. We haven't checked out any of the middle or lower key dive sites yet...we can never make it off of Largo!
  
  Thanks for the planning compliment. I have been the designated trip organizer since birth! I think I came out with a road map in my hand and Roman blood running through my veins (well maybe a slight exageration with the road map) but for as long as I can remember I have alsways been the gatherer and organizer.
  
  What about you? Where will you vacay?
  
  Since I only get to play one big time a year, (I save the rest for little weekends and Christmas to see my family), I want to make it a warm, sunny location that I can go diving at...until I grow gills and become a mermaid! LOL
  
  I'm jealous since you have dived outside the US. I would love to go to a warm tropical island to dive. I often look at Playa de Carmen or Cozumel and think how neat it would be to dive and look at the Mayan Ruins (on the wish list) or go on one of those liveaboards and dive the Carribean! :) I want to dive with a whale shark! The trips are reasonable enough, it is the airfare that kills me!
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• trigger 16 years ago said:
  Wow you two know your stuff and I wish I was certified this year so I could join you all for the diving I always wanted to take up diving the oceans are so beautiful to me.
  
  My brothers have dived around the world my younger brother had the advantage travel wise since he was in the Navy.
  I look forward to reading about your dives when you return.
  
  
  
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• angelinaw 16 years ago said:
  Michael:
  
  I wish I could say I knew my stuff, but I am still a newbie and green around the gills!
  
  I think most of it is trial and error, and experience. Finding the dive sites are looking on the internet (I love to research) and asking questions of other divers, just like I asked Jim for his opinion. Most divers are very helpful and eager to share their experience with you. We still visit some stinkers once and a while, but researching can narrow your odds down. Also knowing your dive style is helpful. I have an underwater camera and love to swim reefs as oppossed to going down deep to look at a wrecked boat. So if you give me a choice, I will choose a reef dive over a deep boat dive anytime...
  
  I had the experience of spending a large chunk of my childhood in Florida, swimming and snorkeling in the Gulf during summer vacations and swimming in muddy water lakes when we went fishing. Now every dive, I try to learn something new and practice honing my basic skills...I think that and the sense of adventure is what makes me love diving.
  
  As for you becoming certified, I know that Joan and you will bounce back and become stronger then ever... so it is not a question of if, but when... and what dive sites you want us to reccommend! :0)
  
  Angelina
  
  Is there a way to post our pictures in this group? That might be something neat to share with others...
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