A beautiful large Goliath grouper and numerous sharks are the stars of our latest video from Alligator Reef in Islamorada.

Reef Report #1 Saturday, June 20 Islamorada with Key Dives Nine Active Divers (and four non-Active Divers) embarked on a picture-perfect day to begin the start of the summer dive season. The boat was a 42-foot Newton equipped to handle up to 18 divers, so we were not terribly crowded. As is our new policy, we practiced social distancing and wore masks while aboard. We asked, and received cooperation from the non-Active Divers, to adhere to our practices. Weather: Sunny bright, temperature 90F+ Seas: less than 2 feet Dive 1: Cable Reef - Maximum depth: 45 feet, Visibility: 20 to 25 feet, Water temperature: 82 to 83 degrees, Sights: tropicals - Blueheads, gobies, sergeant majors, nurse shark, seafans, gorgonias, various hard corals. Dive 2: Alligator Reef - Maximum depth: 23 feet, Visibility: 25 to 30 feet, Water temperature: 81 to 82 degrees, Sights: tropicals - Blueheads, midnight parrotfish, gobies, sergeant majors, seafans, gorgonias, various hard corals, several Nurse Sharks, lobster, porcupinefish, green Moray eel, Nassau groups, red snapper, barracuda, Goliath grouper. -- Active Divers Safety Officer Dan Baeza

A lone barracuda stands watch over Alligator Reef in Islamorada. Photo by Active Diver Dan Baeza.

Reef Report #2 Thursday, June 25 Blue Heron Bridge Shore Dive Dive 1 - Air temp 94 degrees, water temp 83 degrees, vis 30’, depth 20’, Current slight before and after slack tide, surface flat.  Sightings include many 5 arm star fish, 9 arm star fish, long spine sea urchins, short spine sea urchins, angel fish, snook, shoals of sardines, many crabs, spade fish, lobster hotel, by count 14, parrot fish. Several snake eels, -- Active Divers Safety Officer Lon Von Lintel

Nine-arm sea star at the Blue Heron Bridge. Photo by Active Diver Jean Gruss.

Diving and Dive Insurance During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic has created difficult challenges both health-wise and economically to the scuba diving community. To mitigate these significant risks and increase our safety, Active Divers will charter (i.e., buy out) many of our dive boat operations for the remainder of the 2020 dive season. Limited divers on our boats chartered exclusively for Active Divers members will provide additional space for social distancing and other COVID-19 mitigation. The cost of the dives will remain the same as announced on our dive schedule. Where it makes financial sense for the club, Active Divers Association will charter the entire boat to ensure that extra safety precautions are in place for our members during this pandemic. This may mean that our dive schedule will change as the dive operators change prices or policies. To offset higher charter fees, Active Divers will raise the optional insurance fee on club charters from $5 to $10 for the remainder of the dive season. For an additional $5 per person, per local dive trip, a total of $10, members can eliminate the worry of losing their dive fees because of an unforeseen change of plans. If for any reason you are unable to attend a local dive for which you are scheduled and have paid the insurance, Active Divers will credit your dive fee to another date. All our dive insurance is non-transferable and non-refundable.

Save the Date for Little Cayman We have 10 rooms booked for July 17-24, 2021. Details to come, and deposits will be taken later this Fall. Stay tuned for info on the next great dive trip!

TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR FLORIDA KEYS DIVES The Keys have opened, and traffic is again a problem. Members driving from Dade County and points north, Should allow an extra 25-40 minutes to their expected driving times. Expect slow-downs and delays, and the Florida Turnpike is still under construction in many areas. Arrive alive and on time.

Dives Are Filling Up Fast! Book Your Favorites.  Due to reduced capacity on the dive boats our space is limited. For dives that are sold out, call Lon (305-251-4975) or Rachel (786-316-9852) to be placed on the wait list, or simply reply to this email. Please note charters that have been added and slight changes made to the schedule. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to book as far in advance as possible.

Book Dives

THIRSTY DIVERS - STAY HYDRATED In an effort to combat the coronavirus, most dive boats have eliminated the communal drinking water coolers. Many will not have any drinks available to divers. Bring your own. Most boats will provide coolers with ice in which you may store your drinks.

Saturday, June 27 Sea Turtle Dive - ADVANCED Kyalami Charters - Jupiter Scuba Check in at 8:00 a.m. Drift diving in swift currents, turtle-palooza!   SOLD OUT

Sunday, July 5 Ft. Lauderdale Wreck Trek - ADVANCED American Dream Dive Charters Check in at 12:00 noon. Experience 3 wrecks in one drift dive. SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 11 Key Largo Rainbow Reef Check in at 12:00 noon. Tanks included. Crystal clear water and abundant marine life. SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 11 Key Largo - Night Dive Rainbow Reef Check in at 6:30 p.m. Never been on a night dive? We'll show you how! HURRY! ONLY 1 SPACE LEFT! Book this dive

Sunday, July 19 Spiegel Grove - ADVANCED Island Ventures Check in at 12:00 noon. The big one! SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 25 Key Largo Island Ventures Check in at 12:00 noon. Clear water and lots to see. SOLD OUT!

Saturday, August 1 Looe Key Looe Key Reef Resort Check in at 12:00 noon. Famous marine sanctuary. Pristine reefs, lots of marine life. Always a favorite.  HURRY! ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT! Book this dive

Sunday, August 2 Vandenburg Wreck Key West - ADVANCED Lost Reef Adventures Check in at 7:30 a.m. Incredibly unique historic wreck.  Book this dive

Book Dives

Renew Your Membership