Active Divers flew through swift currents over four separate wrecks on the Corridor Wreck Trek. Video by Safety Officer Rachel Davis.

Reef Report Saturday, September 5 Goliath Grouper Dive with Walkers Dive Charters One year ago on Labor Day weekend 2019 Hurricane Dorian sat over the Bahamas as a stationary Cat 5 hurricane, dangerously close to the Florida coast before it made it's fortunate right turn up the coast. The divemasters on the boat let us know that last year the Goliath groupers could sense the change in the barometric pressure caused by the impending hurricane and dove deeper to avoid the threat. It seems that they haven't returned for this year's aggregation in quite the same numbers. While we did see a few Goliaths on these wrecks, it was not nearly the usual numbers we expect this time of year. I guess we chalk this one up to 2020 and look forward to better days ahead! Dive 1: Corridor Wreck Trek - seas 2’, depth 85’, viz 30’, water temp 84 degrees, extremely swift current. This was indeed a wild ride as the current jettisoned us from one wreck to the next. The divemasters commented on the excellent diving skills demonstrated by our Advanced divers and our ability to stay composed and together in these conditions and follow the flag (go Active Divers!!!). We visited the Ana Cecilia where the most groupers were sighted, however, the current did not allow us to get close. We flew over the Mizpah, Amaryllis and finally the China Barge. Sightings included Goliath groupers (of course) with nice corals on the wrecks and schooling tropicals including grunts, sergeant majors and schooling blue chromis.  Dive 2: Shark Alley - seas 2', depth 82', viz 30', water temp 84 degrees, swift current. Shark Alley came through with two Caribbean reef sharks, a hawkbill turtle, midnight parrotfish, queen angelfish, a unique unicorn filefish and a very fast ride over the reef with a short ledge.  -- Active Divers Safety Officer Rachel Davis

A white-spotted filefish gives the face to Active Diver Mark Silverman at Shark Reef on September 5.

Congratulations Jean!!!

Congratulations Jean Gruss on earning your PADI Rescue Diver certification! From left: instructor Rachel Davis, Jean, and Divemaster Amber Vazquez portraying the role of patient/victim as realistically as she did in the water!

It's Goliath Grouper Season!

What is the Goliath Grouper Aggregation dive?  Each year between August and September, Goliath Groupers migrate in by the hundreds to spawn around the wrecks and reefs surrounding Palm Beach County. These giant fish gather in groups of up to 100 on the wrecks we'll dive on September 5th. Goliath groupers are the largest predatory, reef-dwelling fish species in the Caribbean, weighing up to 660 pounds and measuring up to 8 feet long. Check out our video and don't miss this exciting once-in-a-lifetime dives! This year we have two Goliath Grouper dives on the schedule - September 5 and September 19. These dives are currently full, but we invite you to get on the waitlist for your chance to witness and commune with these gentle giants.

Get on the Waitlist to Go Diving! 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. We frequently have divers cancel, and being on the wait list could earn you a spot on the dive, even up to the day before. Also if you need to cancel a dive for any reason, please let us know with as much notice as possible because we often have a wait list of people eager to dive. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to book as far in advance as possible.

Book Dives

Saturday, Sept. 12 Black Water Drift ADVANCED Walkers Dive Charters Check in at 6:30 p.m. See alien life! SOLD OUT!

Sunday, September 13 Key Largo Rainbow Reef Check in at 12:00 noon. Members-Only Charter SOLD OUT!

Saturday, Sept. 19 Goliath Grouper - Castor Wreck ADVANCED Loggerhead Dive Charters Check in at 12:00 noon. Deep wreck teeming with Goliaths! Members-Only Charter SOLD OUT!

Sign up to Restore the Reef with the Coral Restoration Foundation!!!

An up-close look at coral restoration nursery and outplanting work. Video by Active Diver Daryl Johnson.

Calling all Active Divers! Would you like to help save the reefs, learn a new skill and enjoy a full three-tank dive day out on the water? Look no further than our Coral Planting Experience dive helping the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) restore the reefs of Key Largo. Your day begins at 8:00 a.m. on the boat with CRF professionals teaching you all about coral restoration techniques. You'll tour the CRF coral nursery to see how corals grow and tend to the trees. Then you'll take the corals from the nursery to outplant them onto the reefs. You'll also assist with monitoring previously-outplanted corals on the reefs. The experience includes a full day on the water including three dives plus lunch. This is a fun, educational and rewarding experience not to be missed! Active Divers has been transplanting baby corals for 14 years with CRF and repopulating the blighted reefs. Don't miss the boat - sign up today!

Sunday, September 20 CRF Coral Planting Coral Restoration Foundation Enjoy a full day out on the water in Islamorada from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Includes instruction, lunch, plus a 3-tank boat dive to visit the coral nursery, outplant and monitor corals, all for $135.  Book this experience

Sunday, Sept. 27 Key Largo Island Ventures Check in at 12:00 noon. Lots to see. Members-Only Charter SOLD OUT!

Sunday, October 4 Tenneco Towers American Dream Check in at 12:00 noon. Wrecked oil platforms. Very unique! SOLD OUT!

Sunday, October 11 Duane Wreck Key Largo - ADVANCED Island Ventures Check in at 12:00 noon. One of Key Largo's finest wrecks.  SOLD OUT!

Sunday, October 18 Boynton Beach - ADVANCED Loggerhead Charters Check in 12:00 noon. Mild drift over incredible reefs!.  Members-Only Charter SOLD OUT!

Saturday, October 24 Key Largo Island Ventures Check in at 12:00 noon. Charters can take us off the beaten path.  Members-Only Charter SOLD OUT!

Saturday, October 31 End of Season Picnic - Blue Heron Bridge Phil Foster Park Check in for diving at 8:00 a.m. BBQ at noon. $10 for all! Reserve your spot

Saturday, November 1 Key Largo Rainbow Reef Check in at 12:00 noon. Charters can take us off the beaten path.  Members-Only Charter HURRY! ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT Book this dive

Saturday, November 7 Boynton Beach - ADVANCED Loggerhead Charters Check in 12:00 noon. Mild drift over incredible reefs!.  HURRY! ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT Book this dive

Saturday, Nov. 15 Key Largo Island Ventures Check in at 12:00 noon. Charters can take us off the beaten path.  Members-Only Charter HURRY! ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT! Book this dive

Book Dives