Florida: Deep Drifts
And the Uncertainty of the Everchanging Tides of Mankind
March 12th – 25th, 2025
Welp, as per the contract, here goes the semi-annual trip to Florida, and boy did things not go according to plan. However, no one died and new experiences were gained which was the main goal of the trip. The plan started out simple enough, do some drift dives in Jupiter the first weekend, and then go down to Key Largo again and visit the deeper wrecks there. Nature and the dive gods however had a different plan in place for us.
Jupiter Dive Center
Captain: Phil Boat: Republic VII Crew: Jenny and Ryan
3/15/2025
West Palm Beach area reef diving, is not my favorite. In general, they are limestone reefs ledges that you follow along roughly parallel to the coast. While along the ledge you can see lots of interesting creatures, some corals and etc. However, if you are not on the ledge, it is generally a boring dive without much to see. JDC was a fine boat that was partially covered allowing space to hide from the sun and offered basic sodas and snacks. Getting back onto the boat is done via a Christmas tree style boat ladder. In high waves is a difficult skill to manage while trying to avoid getting hit by the back of the boat, and not fall off, but no one was injured and that’s the important part. During our trip, the third dive was canceled due to high winds and 4’-5’ waves.
Loggerhead Reef
76’ for 38 minutes 75°
The first dive was on a relatively shallow reef that is usually popular with loggerhead turtles. While not exclusively a ledge dive there are some areas with large coral heads that form mini-reefs that are often populated with a variety of creatures. Between coral heads and in the sand Southern Rays are common. Yellowheaded jawfish, mantis shrimp are often found hiding in the sand as well.
Captain Kirle’s
74’ for 31 minutes 75°
Another relatively shallow reef, similar to Loggerhead Reef with small croppings of coral heads that are populated with lots of fish. Goliath groupers, and variety of turtles are common while deeper, where large green moray eels hide in the ledges on the shallower side of the reef. Nurse sharks are commonly seen napping under the ledges and reef sharks cruise along the top to check out divers. An interesting and populated dive, so long as you follow the ledge and don’t miss the reef when you first get into the water. Otherwise, it’s another drift dive watching the sand. Thankfully, a large loggerhead turtle cruised by and was unbothered by the divers and gave us something interesting to see at the start of the dive.
Blue Heron Bridge
3/16/2025
15’ for 82 minutes 75°
A typical dive on the bridge, visibility wasn’t the best but better than what was originally reported earlier in the week, at only 5-10’. We followed the snorkel trail for the first half of the dive and saw the typical fish that hide along the trail. The coolest part of the snorkel trail is seeing a hermit crab conga line forming as 6+ large hermit crabs were working on finding new shells and all switch to the next size up. Or it was a crab orgy which was equally as likely. The second half of the dive we explored under the west bridge and rubble piles finding several lobsters, stonefish, and large schools of spadefish.
The Springs
The second weekend was supposed to be another adventure down to Key Largo with Rainbow Reef for a repeat of some deep wrecks. However, due to uncontrolled brush fires south of Miami, Highway 1 was smoked out and impassible. As a consolation prize we opted to hit up a two of the local springs.
Alexander Springs
3/22/2025
21’ for 69 minutes 73°
A large natural basin in the middle of Ocala National Forest. Most of the site is shallow, ranging from 2’-5’ with a small cavern that drops down to 20’ in the center. There are several species of fish including tilapia, crevalle jacks, and large gars. More interesting large snapping turtles, and potentially a gator that likes to cruise over divers before hiding back in the weeds.
An easy dive site good to try out new gear or to practice skills. The sink is easily explored in 20 minutes and can be crowded if there are any other divers in the area.
Paradise Springs
3/23/2025
95’ for 52 minutes & 99’ for 28 minutes 75°
Another nice couple of dives at Paradise Springs. Due to hurricane Milton last year the bathroom has been damaged slightly but is mostly repaired now. The dives were enjoyable and without any major incidents. The whale bone can be found by following the large tree next to the platform up towards the surface. There’s a small hole in the wall and the bone sits on the underside of the ceiling. A fun deep dive when you’ve got no other options.
