May 22nd Black Squall.......

Well just when you think things are gettin better, a low pressure goes and parks itself out in the gulf and starts spitting at you. I have some of my regular guests with me this morning as we headed out to the Speigel Grove wreck. We actually had a great dive with pretty good visibility and mild current. We decided to use up tghe surface interval and head over to the Duane wreck. Unfortunately we ended up being over taken by a 35 knot squall. So after that beating and a Coast Guard warning that more were on the way we headed home. Some days you just have to say uncle. My friends will be back on Sunday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Here's some cool pics from mate Avery. Enjoy!http://picasaweb.google.com/thepleasurediver/SqallDay?feat=directlink

May 19th - 21st Good and Gettin Better....

Hello Scuba Friends,

Well the wind has taken some time off and we went out for some great dives.

Adrian and Christina Dove with us for all 3 days and each day was better than the previous one.

On Tuesday they were joined by Aunti Diana and Javier who just came along for the ride.

Being from West Texas this group enjoyed the change of senery for sure. Javier gave me some alternative medicine advice, and a teaspoon of Cider vinegar a day it is.

We went out to Molasses reef with mate Avery leading the way and making everyone confortable in the water. All the usual critters were about as well as Junior, the goliath grouper.

A couple of Eagle rays made a pass just to make it a good all around day.

Wednesday we headed to the Benwood wreck for some good picture opportunities with all the schooling grunts. Then over to French reef where we were greeted by a couple of big barracudas. They weren't nearly as big as the Hammer Head Avery saw though. An uncommon siteing for us here in the Keys, but thats the beauty of the ocean. You just never know what it will offer.

On Thursday we went back to Molasses as Adrian and Christina decided to take the Naturalist specialty course. By doing so they got a deeper appreciation for all that is going on about you when you are diving. The Eagle rays were out in formation and a reef shark made an appearance. We were joinned today by Sarah and Dan who were passing through on vacation and they got a most beautiful day to come out with us. Dan had the luck to spend several minutes with a turtle one on one. Once again you just never know what kind of encounter you may have when you dive. Thats one of the reasons I love it. Thanks everyone for diving with us.

Saturday May 16th Wedding Bliss..Weather Hisss..

Hello out there in Scuba Land!

Today is a very special day as Buzz and Leah tied the knot on our boat.

It was supposed to be a diving and wedding day but once again the wind would not cooperate.

Instead we took a short ride over to Rodriguez Key and held the ceremony there.

It seems 2 very nice people can meet and know each other is THE ONE.

Awesome. Thanks for sharing your special day with us.

May 14th & 15th Wind Battle Continues...

Hello Divers,

Well the wind has returned once again and with it some uncomfortable conditions but we went out and the diving wasn't that bad. On Thursday we went over to the Benwood wreck then French reef with Gabe from Canada and a nice family from NJ, Ron, Anissa and James.

Both sites had some current to contend with and the visibility was about 20'.

Still we saw barracuda, snappers, and a couple of eels. Friday, Molasses offered the best conditions with decent vis and no current. A lot of marine life was about as I guess its better swimming around in the surf then trying to stay in a hole. The divers found themselves in a swarm of Midnight parrot fish. We saw some Permits and had the luck of being in the flight path of about 8 Eagle rays..Pretty cool stuff. Codo's to my divers for sticking it out and I'm glad they were rewarded with some special sights. Thanks

May 9th-11th Ahhh this is why I'm here..

Yes folks the wind has finally taken a few days off and the weather and water couldn't be better.
On Saturday The Hecker family with Kristie, John and Sabastian were joined by Douglas and sister Leslie with their friend Brad. Dougs daughter bought him this dive trip for his B-Day, Sweet! The weather was a present for all of us. We headed to Molasses for some casual diving starting at Permit Ledge. The Goliath grouper showed as well as several baracuda. An Eagle ray swam by in the distance and a giant Green moray was discovered.

On Sunday the Hecker gang was joined by one of our regulars Steve from upstate. His lady friend Kim came along for the ride and warm sun. We started at Banana Reef which we don't get to very often so that was a treat. With awesome conditions we got a great fly by from a pair of Eagle rays and some old timer snaggle toothed baracudas stayed close to us. Next we hit the Benwood wreck and enjoyed a great dive there as well.

Monday the Heckers had the boat to themselves. We hit Snapper Ledge and Pickels Reef.
A sting ray and several large morays kept the dives interesting.
Thanks to all who dove with us. It was a fun time. Here's some pics..http://picasaweb.google.com/thepleasurediver/May911?feat=directlink

May 3rd n 4th Here comes the HEAT

Hello out there.

Sunday I took out my good friend Larry Gates, our favorite Photo Pro and his client Connie visiting from NYC. If you want to learn how to shoot photo's underwater Larry is the man. Look for his book coming out in the spring! We went to Snapper Ledge. Haven't been there for a while so it was a treat. We had 3 and 4 footers, but Connie was a trooper. Saw some great schooling fish and a large eel with a sting ray to top it off.

Waters warming...77*

On Monday Larry and Connie were joined by

Nick and Victoria also from NYC. We headed to the Benwood which is always a favorite for us.

We stayed for both dives to take advantage of the good conditions and having the wreck to our selves.

May 1st& 2nd International outings

Hello Bloggers,

Well, we took care of some issues with PD we're back on the water with only 3 footers to contend with. On Friday we made friends with Sanjay and Pooja from India but now living in NJ. They were joined by Werner from Germany and Javier with Teresa from Spain. All found us on tripadvisor.com, how cool is that. We headed out to Mo for a casual day of shallow diving. We hit Permit Ledge and got a face to face with Junior, the smaller of the 2 huge Goliath groupers that hang out there. The baracuda were there to show off their beautiful dental work.

On Satureday we headed out to the Benwood wreck with Sanjay and Pooja again and were joined

by Damien and Guiremon from Chile. The Benwood always offers great fish life with plenty of activity to observe. We headed to French reef next where we were greeted by a Nurse shark and saw a large Tarpon cruise by. A baby turtle made an appearance but was camera shy.

Great day. Here's http://picasaweb.google.com/thepleasurediver/May111?feat=directlink some pics..

Thanks everyone!