A beautiful hawksbill turtle glides over Molasses Reef on 9/13/20. Photo by Active Diver and Safety Officer Dan Baeza.

Reef Report Sunday, September 13 Key Largo with Rainbow Reef Dive 1: Molasses Reef: Seas 2-4’, depth 25’, vis 40’, water temp. 84 degrees, moderate current. Sightings include Nassau grouper, schooling chubs, brilliant orange sponges, baby sergeant majors, amber jacks, schooling blue chromis.  Dive 2: Sand Island: Seas 2-3’, depth 25’, vis 35’, water temp. 84 degrees, no current. Sightings include friendly squid, several antler coral stands of 3-6’ tall, numerous baby antler corals, jewel fish, trumpet fish, princes parrots, spotfin butterfly fish, hawksbill turtle.  Safety briefing and assistance provided by Safety Officers in training Amber Vazquez and Charles Julian.  -- Active Divers President and Safety Officer Lon Von Lintel

A September to Remember Between the hurricanes, which fortunately we've been spared (so far) September is a wonderful month to dive. The water is calm and warm (still 86 degrees) and the air is just a touch cooler. We still have many dives left to go this season. And with travel and entertainment opportunities limited these days, diving is what's keeping many of us sane during these challenging times.

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. 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!

HURRY! ONLY 3 SPACES LEFT FOR 3-TANK ALL DAY CRF CORAL PLANTING EXPERIENCE!!! BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY!

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, October 31 Black Water Drift ADVANCED Walkers Dive Charters Check in at 6:30 p.m. See alien life! SOLD OUT!

Saturday, November 1 Key Largo Rainbow Reef Check in at 12:00 noon. Charters can take us off the beaten path.  Members-Only Charter SOLD OUT!

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 3 SPOTS LEFT! Book this dive

Book Dives