| The
weather was exactly as forecast for
our trip to the Flower Gardens this
weekend. The ride out was a little
lumpy in 3-4 foot seas, but the seas
laid down nicely for the first dive
of the weekend. We dove West Flower
Garden buoy number 2, where we were
treated to some of the largest black
grouper we have ever seen at the
Flower Gardens, as well as a free
swimming green moray about 5 feet
long, and as big around as the top
of your leg. Water temp 75, seas
2-4, wind 10-15, Vis 100+ feet.
After the first two dives, we
moseyed over to HI-389 for a rig
dive. The divers saw three
loggerhead turtles, numerous silky
sharks, as well as huge schools of
blue runners and other reef
critters. Water temp 75, seas 1-3,
wind 10, vis 100+.
Dives 4 and 5 were spent on the
East Bank Buoy number 4. Most of the
divers spent their time gazing at
the spawning, nesting ocean
triggerfish, and some divers claimed
to see a spawning sea urchin. Water
temp 75, seas 1-3, wind 10, vis
100+.
Sunday morning found us at
Stetson number 3 where, yes, we
still saw schooling hammerheads. At
lease 5 individuals were sighted, as
well as big lobsters and black
grouper, eagle rays, and southern
stingrays. Water temp 75, seas 1-2,
wind 10 or less, vis 100+.
All in all, a great trip
Captain Frank
M/V Spree |
