Reef Report
Saturday, July 3
Jupiter, Kyalami Dive Charters
Winds were 5-10 knots, seas 1-2 feet. Air
temperature approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit, partly cloudy, beautiful day. 17 ADA divers were on board
Kyalami. Boat captain and crew were professional, helpful, and pleasant to work with. Safety officers were
Rachel Davis, Amber Laureano, and Mark Silverman.
1st Dive: High
Ledge – Visibility 35 feet. Current mild, which made for a relaxing drift dive. Divers
drifted a section of the wall with depths ranging from 65 - 85 feet. Average depth 76 feet. Water
temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Diver’s followed divemaster to maintain a northerly course to stay
on the wall. Sightings observed by divers included a number of loggerhead sea turtles, green moray
eels, angelfish, spiny lobsters, a flamingo tongue snail, and assorted reef fish.
2nd Dive:
Loggerhead Ledge – Visibility 40 feet. Current mild. Water temperature 81 degrees. Depth
approximately 72 feet. This was a beautiful dive! 2-3 large loggerhead turtles spotted (at a time!) all
along the ledge, resting on the bottom or in overhangs, preparing to lay their eggs in the near future.
Estimated turtle spotting’s 15+. Several of these large, mature females decided to make a swimming pass by
divers, increasing the wonder and excitement! Under one ledge a Goliath grouper entertained
divers. At another overhang, two turtles toyed with a large green moray eel, one of several spotted.
Two small lionfish spotted as well. Two large schools off spadefish performed underwater ballet with
enchanted divers. There was also a seemingly endless school of jacks hanging off the wall. This reef had
great relief, with some ledges 10 feet high or more. Just before surfacing, an enormous southern
stingray was spotted on the sand, approximately 6 feet from wing tip to wing tip, which is at the limit of
the known size for this close relative to sharks. A very exciting and fun dive. Thanks to a great captain
and crew!
Debriefing occurred at the Square Grouper restaurant, waterside by the dock. A good time was had by
all!
-- Active Divers Safety Officer in
Training Mark Silverman |
