Diving For Fun - Dive Trip - May 31, 2008 - Riviera Beach, FL

SSL SECURED

Our site is 256 bit SSL SECURED. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is the industry standard for viewing and sending sensitive information on an internet browser. Click on the SSL image below see our site report.

	DIVE TRIP - MAY 31, 2008 - RIVIERA BEACH, FL - SHARK WATCH

On the early morning drive down to Riviera Beach, FL I ran into some scattered rain. When I reached the Riviera Beach area, the skies had cleared with a slight Northwesterly breeze at 5-8 mph and a balmy 74 degree surface air temperature. To my surprise there was a large sport fishing tournament being held in the marina which made finding a parking place a little more difficult than normal. I was excited to get to use my Sea & Sea DX-1G underwater camera and strobe again. I learned so much about the camera and configuration taking pictures in Bonaire, but I am still not completely comfortable with changing the camera settings underwater.

I was the dive leader for a group of eight divers from the Lockheed Martin Dive Club in Tampa. All eight of the divers showed up at the 7:30 AM arrival time to fill out paperwork and store dive gear on the dive boat. We left the dock shortly after 8:15 AM and headed north towards Jupiter to our first dive site.

As we headed out of the Palm Beach inlet, we encountered 3-4 feet seas. Once we past the inlet area the rough seas were not as apparent. We relaxed and visited while enjoying the 40 minute boat ride to Juno Ledge. The Juno Ledge dive site is a long reef running from south to north approximately 3 miles offshore starting in 65 feet of water and drops to 85 feet on the edges. After a short dive briefing from our boat Captain, Sandy, we geared up and jumped in with anticipation of seeing sharks. The water bottom temperature was a very comfortable 78 degrees and the current was mild running from south to north. We drifted across the top of the ridge and occasionally dropped over the ledge to see spectacular fish huddled under the ledge. We saw a couple of hawksbill turtles, several queen angelfish and a variety of small beautifully colored reef fish. A few were lucky enough to see a 4-5 feet reef shark at the end of the dive. However, there was no photo opportunity at that time.

After all the divers boarded the boat safe and sound we idled toward the second dive site as we reminisced about the animals and fish we saw while enjoying cold drinks and snacks. After an hour surface interval, we geared up for our second dive at Northwest Doubles dive site or as the locals call it “Shark Canyon“. The dive site is a reef ledge system running from south to north approximately 3 miles offshore in 73 feet of water and drops to 90 feet on the edges. The dive site is located just south of Juno Ledge. After a dive briefing by the captain we geared up and jumped in. We headed down with our eyes wide open hoping to see more spectacular sea life and the hope of seeing sharks. The current was very mild running from south to north making the dive very nice and pleasant. On this dive we encountered another hawksbill turtle, and small loggerhead turtle, three reef sharks cruising over the reef and more spectacular reef fish. I was able to get close enough to get a couple of photos of two different reef sharks, but the white balance was not set correctly as you can see in the photos. When I get more time, I will try and correct the white balance and see if I can clear up the images. I need to upgrade my Adobe Photoshop to CS 3.0 so I can get the raw plug-in for my camera. It will still require additional time to correct the white-balance of the images, but it will make it so much easier.

Again after all the divers boarded the boat safe and sound we relaxed and enjoyed sandwiches, chips and cold drinks on the boat. Our captain gave us a choice for our third dive between another reef or a wreck where we might encounter a goliath grouper. The group unanimously chose the wreck dive. As our surface interval went over an hour we geared up and jumped in on the dive site called "Artificial Reef". The reef was made up of a 125 feet freighter, a barge and an old rolls-royce car located 1 mile offshore in approximately 80 feet of water. As we entered the water we immediately had to drop to the bottom so we would not miss the site. The current had picked up to moderate running from southeast to northwest and unless you were tucked in behind something you were pushed across the site very quickly. We searched the barge area and found no signs of a goliath grouper. As we left the wreck area we did find a juvenile spotted drum, spotted moray eel, rock beauties, queen angelfish and an abundance of beautiful reef fish.

After we boarded the boat from the last dive we stored our gear and relaxed while enjoying the short 15 minute boat ride back to the dock. Everyone had a great time and was ready to head out for their next diving adventure, whenever that next chance arises.

I tried to identify the plants, creatures and fish to the best of my ability, but I do make mistakes. If you notice that I inadvertently labeled something incorrectly, please contact me and let me know so I can correct it. Thanks!

First Dive Site - Juno Ledge