I n a u g u ral I ss u e !
DIVE LOCALLY
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KEY WEST A Diving Adventure
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS A Garden Tended by Divers
GINNIE SPRINGS
A Devil of a Dive
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◄ Cover by David Dunleavy was born in Glenolden, Pa in 1970 and travels the world extensively in order to pursue his passion and spreading his message of our oceans’ conservancy. A core motivator for Dunleavy is to use his art and murals as a vehicle to reach the masses and raise awareness for the endangered species and our threatened ocean planet. To help make a difference, Dunleavy has a goal to paint Endangered Species Murals around the globe in strategic locations to raise awareness, inspire people to come together to take action, and become part of the solution to face the challenges of protecting the earth. To date, David has painted 53 life sized and larger than life murals along the Eastern Seaboard from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Islamorada in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas Islands, and the largest environmental awareness mural on the continent of Australia at the Melbourne Aquarium. For more information visit www.daviddunleavy.com.
Southeast Dive News
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Dive News Magazine is committed to promoting the sport of scuba diving in the Northeast and Midwest. We will present a practical, unbiased point of view regarding all aspects of the sport of scuba diving. The Dive News Magazine believes in honesty and integrity in business and will support all efforts related to this. We encourage readers to participate in determining the content of this publication by giving us their opinions on the types of articles they would like to see. We invite letters to the editor, manuscripts and photographs related to diving or diving-related business. Send us your stories and photos! IMPORTANT NOTICE The Dive News Magazine reserves the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses. The contents of Northeast and Midwest Dive News are opinions of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or any of its staff. The publishers and contributors assume no responsibility for any mishap claimed to be a result of use of this material. Diving is an adventure sport and contains inherent risks. Improper use of diving equipment or improper diving techniques may result in serious injury or death. Readers are advised to use their own best judgment in each individual situation. MOVING? In order to continue receiving your magazine uninterrupted, please notify Northeast Dive News when you change your mailing address. To ensure uninterrupted service, please contact us six to eight weeks before the change of address occurs. You can call us at 360-240-1874 PST or email us at nediver@nedivenews.com or mail at: Bedrock Publications P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277
IN THIS EDITION
Monthly Columns Publisher’s Note.................................4
Southeast Activities............................ 7
Incoming Mail.....................................5
Tropical Dive Directory................22-23
Southeast Hot News..........................6
Local Dive Directory......................... 23
LOCAL DIVE DESTINATION
10 Key West – A Dive Trip with No Diving Can Still be a Diver’s Adventure
A dive trip where there is NO diving? That is exactly where writer Bob Cunningham found himself during a planned dive trip to Key West. Can Bob still find adventure in Key West? The answer is yes…come along as he discovers the topside diving treasures of a world class dive destination. By Bob Cunningham
SOUTHeast VACATIONS
14 Ginnie Springs – A Devil of a Dive
What do Pleistocene animals, Timuqua Indians and divers have in common? They all have had the pleasure of exploring the naturally clear but Devilish waters of Ginnie Springs Outdoors, the home of the Devil’s Springs system. Join writer Mike Hughes as he looks into the Devil’s Eye, dives into the Devil’s Ear and peers into the Devil’s Dungeon. By Mike Hughes
SOUTHEAST DIVES
18 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary – The Garden Tended by Divers
Where can you find a large sampling of incredible beauty spiced with ocean wild Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads as big as buses, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates as well as some of the most interesting landscape in the world? In some far off land? Nope all of this and more is right here in the backyard of the southeast. By Rick Stratton
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Do you have an opinion? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
WELCOME to Southeast Dive News!
W
elcome to the first edition of Southeast Dive News. Dive News Network has a long history of bringing dive news to divers all over the United States and we are now proud to provide the same service to our divers in the Southeastern part of the country. We have worked hard to make this magazine a reality and we hope you enjoy it. I would like to explain who we are as a publication, what we are trying to do and what you, as a reader, can expect from each edition. Southeast Dive News is a monthly publication, both in print and online, dedicated to promoting the dive community of the Southeast. Geographically centered in Georgia the publication considers LA, AL, MS, GA, FL, SC & NC our home states but local divers just don’t dive locally – they dive globally - so we will write about traveling destinations too! Our mission is to promote the sport of diving by producing a high quality regional dive publication. We have made a commitment to local retailers and local divers – the sport begins and ends with both. In the pages of each monthly magazine you will find stories from local divers explaining why they love diving in their backyard. Some people might glance at the masthead (left-side of page 4) and see my name – Rick Stratton – and our Oak Harbor, Washington address and (rightfully) question “what does Rick know about the Southeast?” Before I answer let me first tell you why I started publishing regional magazines. In 1996, I was a relatively new diver who wanted to become more active in the sport locally and regionally. I wanted a magazine focused on my area. There was not one so I created it and began
my diving publication journey. Beginning first in 1997, in Seattle, I started publishing Northwest Dive News, in 2004 Northeast Dive News followed and Midwest Dive News began in 2006. With each new publication not only did I make a commitment to showcase the local diving and divers but I also committed to getting to know the regions better through the magazine. What I succeeded in doing was making each of these regions an extension of my diving family and now, I dive in all those areas of the country AND I bring my readers with me. Today, my commitment to all of our regions remains strong and we continue to support and help grow the dive industry in each of these areas. Now, how can I know what and who to write about in the Southeast when I do not live there? Well, I have a fin up, so to speak, this time around; I have lived in the South. I lived in Pensacola, FL and Meridian, MS when I was in the Navy. I know the area and I have a large circle of friends and industry associates collected over the last 15 years who will also be a part of this labor of love. They will help guide the editorial content to keep it current and on the side of the local dive community, as will our many readers, this is, after all, your dive community magazine. I invite you, our reader, to take a lead and let us know how you feel – what you want us to write about or even write your own stories. We will print them either here, in the magazine, or online. The stories we tell are yours and we hope, as time moves forward, the future will be ours to write together as well…we are, after all, a family…the dive community family. Welcome to our first edition. Rick Stratton
facebook.com/Rick.Stratton1 rick@divenewsmag.com
Rick
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MONTHLY ARTICLES
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Loyal Future Readers;
How can we have a letter to the editor in our first edition? Well, we don’t, so instead we are issuing an invitation to our new fans of the Southeast…write us a letter! Tell us how you feel about our new magazine, how you feel about Southeast diving, what we can do to help your cause or cause you to help! Our mail box goes through feast and famine – sometimes it is jammed full and sometimes…empty. So we want you to fill ‘er up! Send us your comments - your opinions – your thoughts…we will respond back as well as pass along your message. We will print your opinions or answer questions about why we took a particular slant on an article. We do not, however, print anything slanderous or catty so if you have a beef with diver “Hank,” you’ll have to take that up with him but if you think there is a way that a dive industry agency could serve the dive community better – tell us! We are, after all, all about being a member of the dive community and supporting it in any fashion we can. So pick up those pens and drop us a line.
Contact us at editor@divenewsmag.com Thanks, we look forward to hearing from you,
Rick
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HOT NEWS Get your business noticed by sending us your NEWS/EVENTS: editor@divenewsmag.com Scuba Shack/Wet Dream Charters, Inc. Celebrate 30th Anniversary on April Fools
On April 1, Dive buddies Eilene Beard and Gene Ferguson will celebrate all they have accomplished. On April Fool’s Day 1980 they found an old building on the waterfront in downtown Pensacola, FL and launched the Scuba Shack. Over the years they have had the great support of friends, and thanks to their patrons and students, the waterfront building was purchased and a special private dock was established for the Charter Boat Wet Dream, the largest dive boat in Pensacola. With the same two owners the Scuba Shack is the oldest dive operation in Pensacola offering sales, service, air fill rentals, dive training, and dive charters on the Wet Dream. Come help them celebrate. For more info visit www.scubashackpensacola.com.
5th Anniversary of the Sinking of the USS Oriskany!
Better known as the Great Carrier Reef, the Big O is the world’s largest manmade reef offshore Pensacola, FL. The aircraft carrier, which is over a 1000 ft. long, provides great dives for sport divers starting at 80 ft. on the conning tower and extreme dives for the technical divers with depths ranging up to 217 ft. Come for the Special Anniversary Dive on the Wet Dream in conjunction with the Scuba Shack in Pensacola, FL. For more info call 888-659-3483.
Neal Watson and Dive Bimini Launch New Boat
Diving pioneer Neal Watson and marine scientist and conservationist Guy Harvey have teamed up to launch a new dive boat and operation. The Bimini Blue is a double-decker, glass-bottom boat that takes up to 100 passengers on a variety of excursions. The Bimini will offer great dive site trips including reefs, wrecks, walls, drift dives, and their famous Atlantis Road and Shark Dive Experience. Located at Bimini Big Game Club in Alice Town, Dive Bimini is part of Guy Harvey’s Outpost Resort program — after a $3.5 million renovation project — that combines diving with marine conservation and education. For more info visit www.biggameclubbimini.com.
Goliath Grouper’s Fate to Be Decided
The Goliath Grouper is a familiar friend to divers in Florida waters. It is often not unusual to look over and see one of the mammoth fish gliding alongside you. At the same time the giant fish has also been the source of some controversy. To take them or not to take them has
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been the question since 1990 when harvesting the fish was outlawed. Now the State of Florida will decide the goliath grouper’s fate. PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, believes it is important to keep the current law in place. Citing studies, PADI says there is not enough evidence the population has recovered. T h e International Union for the Conversation of Nature (IUCN), a global species conservation group, also has deemed the goliath grouper as “critically endangered.”. PADI will present their position to the Fish & Wildlife Commission but are asking divers to also give their opinions on a short survey in order to determine the general feeling on the Goliath Grouper. Visit www.padi.com/scuba/news-events
Free Spearfishing Seminar
The Dixie Divers staff would like to invite divers to a free Spearfishing Seminar being held at the shop. They are offering a two hour seminar April 29 on Spearfishing, everything from regulations and fish behavior to cooking your catch. The seminar will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Safety tips will also be suggested throughout the presentation. By the end of the two hours divers will be fully aware and prepared to conquer a new world of Spearfishing. This seminar is excellent for beginners, to those who have been Spearfishing their whole lives. Please call 954-420-0009 for reservations.
Divers and Snorkelers to ‘Egg-splore’ the Reef at Easter
Divers and snorkelers visiting the Florida Keys can plunge into an underwater game of hide and seek during the 11th annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 24, in the waters off Key Largo. Captain Spencer Slate of Atlantis Dive Center will don a giant bunny suit and dive gear to hide brightly colored Easter eggs. Divers and snorkelers are to check in at 8 a.m. at the Atlantis Dive Shop, located at mile marker 106.5 Oceanside. Atlantis boats will head out to a secret location on one of the Keys’ pristine shallow reefs, where revelers can search for the hard-boiled sunken treasure during the two-tank trip. All participants are to win prizes and a particularly valuable goodie basket awaits the fortunate finder of a “golden egg.” Real eggs and nontoxic colorings are used to avoid any negative ecological impact. The hunt is a fundraiser for Kids in Special Situations, which provides gifts to the area’s needy children. For more info visit www.captainslate.com.
Send Us Your News/Events FREE at editor@divenewsmag.com
May 5: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org May 5: Sarasota Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Fraternal Order of Police Hall, Sarasota, FL. www.sarasotascubaclub.org May 7: Atlanta Underwater Explorers meeting, 3 p.m., East Atlanta Library Branch, Atlanta, GA. www.diveaue.org
List your club meeting or event here.
Just contact us at (360) 240-1874 or go online to www.divenewsnetwork.com
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FL. RSVP at 954-420-0009 May 3: Fanta-Seas Dive Club meeting, 7-9 p.m., Fanta-Seas Divers, 1400 Eatonton Rd., Ste. 750, Madison, GA. www.fantaseasdivers.com May 3: Orlando Reef Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.orlandoreefdivers.org May 4: Nautical Nudists Dive & Boating Club meeting, 7 p.m., check web site for location, Land ‘O Lakes, FL. www. nauticalnudist.com May 4: South Florida Divers meeting, 7:30 p.m., Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, Hollywood, FL. www.sfdi.com
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Apr. 2: Atlanta Underwater Explorers meeting, 3 p.m., East Atlanta Library Branch, Atlanta, GA. www.diveaue.org Apr. 5: Fanta-Seas Dive Club meeting, 7-9 p.m., Fanta-Seas Divers, Madison, GA. www.fanta-seasdivers.com Apr. 5: Orlando Reef Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.orlandoreefdivers.org Apr. 6: Nautical Nudists Dive & Boating Club meeting, 7 p.m., check web site for location, Land ‘O Lakes, FL. www. nauticalnudist.com Apr. 6: South Florida Divers meeting, 7:30 p.m., Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, Hollywood, FL. www.sfdi.com Apr. 7: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org Apr. 7: Jupiter Drift Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Jupiter Fire Station Community Room, Jupiter, FL. www.jupiterdriftdivers.com Apr. 7: Sarasota Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Fraternal Order of Police Hall, Sarasota, FL. www.sarasotascubaclub.org Apr. 7: Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club meeting, 7 p.m., Best Western Hotel, Deerfield Beach, FL. www.usadiveclub.com Apr. 7: The Kansas City Frogman Club, Inc. meeting, 7 p.m., Skin-NScuba Dive Shop, Independence, MO. www.kcfrogman.com Apr. 12: South Florida Underwater Photography Society meeting, 7:30 p.m., El Palacio Hotel, Miami, FL. www.sfups.org Apr. 12: Waterloggers Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Beef O’Bradys, Melbourne, FL. www.sealevelscuba.com Apr. 12: Sea Tigers Spearfishing Club meeting, Roussel Trim & Stairs, Harvey, LA. www.seatigers.us Apr. 14: Caloosa Dive Club Ham Dinner, 6 p.m. Social, 7 p.m. Dinner, Tony Rotino Center, Cape Coral, FL. www. diveclub.org Apr. 18: Sea Turtle Dive Club meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Jasper Dive Center, Jasper, GA. www.seaturtlediveclub.com Apr. 19: Orlando Reef Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.orlandoreefdivers.org Apr. 20: Suncoast Reef Rovers meeting, 6 p.m., Nokomis Community Center, Venice FL. www.suncoastreefrovers.com Apr. 20: Central Florida Pleasure Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Denny’s Restaurant, Orlando, FL. www.cfpdivers.com Apr. 21: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org Apr. 21: KSC Barracuda Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Kennedy Space Center, FL. www.kscbarracudas.org Apr. 29: Free Spear Fishing Seminar, 6-7:30 p.m., Dixie Divers, Deerfield Beach,
Do you want your event listed here? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
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CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS
We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
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UNDERWATER OLYMPICS
SOUTHEAST
PADO Sponsors Scuba Olympic Events
Representatives of the Adaptive swim Team and their coaches receiving a check for $800.00. Photo padoflorida.snappages.com.
T
oday with the economy being what it is, more and more professionals are finding a need to “give back”. In Florida there is a group of dive operators who have come together in order to do just that; enhance their world by being a part of the solution. The Professional Association of Dive Operators (PADO) is a group of dive retailers formed in January 2007. PADO promotes the sport of scuba at boating and outdoor sport shows but they also take part and/or sponsor events that give back to the dive community as a whole. In February of this year, each participating PADO member sent an Olympic team to the Florida Scuba Olympics. The event brought together teams to compete in a variety of underwater activities that test the diver’s skills. Held in Largo, Florida, the event brought together The City of Largo Recreational Department and PADO members in an event that say its proceeds donated to the area’s Special Olympics Swim Team. Mark Abdo, City of Largo Aquatics Director, arranged for food vendors and the donation of bicycles from 8
area Wal-Mart stores and officials from the Special Olympics were on hand the day of the event. The event raised $800 that was awarded to the area’s Special Olympics Adaptive Swim Team and their coaches. The money will be used for the team to participate in the Special Olympics 2011. On March 27, PADO had close to 50 scuba divers who competed in four
Dive Locally - Where It Really Matters
“Olympic style” events at the Long Center in Clearwater, Florida. A balloon lift race, underwater bicycle race, a diver tow and a three legged race were the Olympic events. The money raised for this event was donated to the Long Center’s Adaptive swim team. For those interested in becoming involved in PADO, please visit www. padoflorida.snappages.com. ■
Going Diving ? Go Here First !
www.FloridaManateeTours.com www.DiveOrlando.com www.DiveDaytona.com www.DiveStPete.com www.DivingTampa.com www.DivingClearwater.com www.DiveFloridaKeys.com
SOUTHEAST
WRECK RACING LEAGUE
Formula H2O-Racing Like You’ve Never Seen
David “The Shark Whisperer” Ulloa sets course record in the Gold Coast Underwater Grand Prix.
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entlemen…start your…scuba tanks? Ok, so this isn’t our mother’s wreck racing but it is racing none the less, with a twist. Kicking off this May, the 2011 Formula H2O Racing circuit is returning to the Florida coast. This summer, scuba divers from around the nation will compete in underwater races around artificial reefs, taking part in the latest underwater thrill, wreck racing. Formula H2O Racing, sanctioned by the Wreck Racing League, is the new action packed, underwater sport featuring divers racing around the superstructure of artificial reefs using Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV), or scooters. According to coordinators of the new sport the goal is to highlight the need for artificial reefs as well as offer divers some fun along the way. According to Natalie Oriente, Director of Marketing for the Wreck Racing League, the new sport offers people an incentive to get involved in scuba diving. “Racing underwater is a new way to showcase the underwater environment and provide a safe level of competition not previously available to recreational scuba divers,” Oriente says. “Artificial reefs are a successful component to the rebuilding of our struggling marine ecosystems.” Last June, The Wreck Racing League launched their new action-packed sport to
mark the first anniversary of the sinking of the Gen. Hoyt S. Vanderberg off the coast of Key West, the world’s second largest artificial reef. Racers gathered on the starting line and raced 3 laps towards the checkered flag, yes a checkered flag, around the superstructure of the Vandenberg. Subsequent races followed in Pompano Beach, and Key Largo. During this year’s circuit, kicking off in Fort Myers, FL, racers and the general public will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of Formula H2O Racing. Returning this season, racers will gather for the three day events, consisting of a racer meeting, DPV demos and practice races, and the main event- competing for a championship trophy and the chance to dawn the checkered flag. Race participation and test drives are open to anyone over the age of 18. Highlights from last year, such as Michael Vivona’s land slide victory, the “Shark Whisper,” David Ulloa, Dean Vitale infamous Championship Belt, and reigning champion, Marissa Wiganowske, achieving the first female honors, are sure to be top this season. For more information on the Wreck Racing League and Formula H2O, please visit www.wreckracingleague.com. See you in the winner’s circle! ■
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We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
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KEY WEST SOUTHEAST DESTINATION
KEY WEST A Dive Trip with No Diving Can Still Be a Diver’s Adventure By Bob Cunningham Guest Writer, DiveDoubilet News Network David
S
ometimes a dive trip can hold a lot by way of experiences but then there are still others that end up becoming one of those dive trips you will not soon forget… Key West was that way for me because it ended up being the dive trip without any diving and I still had a great dive trip! I had been looking forward to my Key West trip for weeks but due to an injured knee, diving for me was out this time around. I still wanted to keep my reservations though so as not to waste my plans. I could just see it, after loading our gear onto the Sea Eagle, a local charter; we would pull away from the dock and out of the marina. Traveling around the north end of the islands between Mallory Square and Sunset Key, the captain throttled up to cruising speed, passing a cruise ship and throwing a wave to the kid waving from his lower deck state room, the Captain busted out of the channel. I watched as the deck bustled with activity, everyone
gearing up for the dive. The mate tied us up and announced “the pool was open”. I wanted to take the giant stride off the port and starboard sides of the vessel and meet up as the divers descended into the clear blue water. I would have liked to join them as they were reaching 50 ft. and the top of the super structure of the Vandenberg in water that was 72 degrees with 100 ft. vis and no current, hitting the deck at 100 ft. But it was not going to happen this trip, not with this bum knee. However, I discovered in Key West a diver could do more than just dive. Having limited time this trip I jumped right in on an adventure with Danger Charters, a local charter service well known in the Florida area. We spent the day with them sailing, snorkeling and kayaking. To be honest I didn’t think a diver could have so much fun without having a regulator in his mouth or being somewhere between 100 and 200 ft. underwater but these guys, Haig and Christian, were loads of fun. While kayaking around Man Key we learned
ture. g adven om. n li e k r st sno ycat.c Key We oto www.fur Ph
all about the making of an island from Christian along with the different wildlife around. The Ospreys are great to see there and they let you get pretty close. Seeing a couple of southern sting rays and four bonnet head sharks didn’t hurt either. To get the full treatment you need to spend the day with them. You’ll come away with people you consider your friends and then go out of your way to keep in touch with them. Once you get back on shore from a trip out with Danger Charters you’re right at Mallory Square and its nearing time for one of, if not the greatest, sunsets you have ever seen. The sun getting lower and lower on the horizon, nearing the water until it gently touches the sea. A flash of green erupts as the sun settles into the ocean until it finally disappears. It is an awesome way to end the day. Dinner was at a great Cuban restaurant called El Meson de Pepe. The food was incredible, the Cuban pork, awesome and it was the first place I’ve been where the
Key West ocean view. Photo by stock.xchng. 10
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SOUTHEAST DESTINATION
KEY WEST
Key West kayaking. Photo courtesy Danger Charters.
the local flavor. They have a great selection of artwork. If you want something a bit spicier, stop by and see Peter and his crew at Peppers of Key West. If it is a hot sauce they have it or something like it. Be careful of the sauces in the locked case, you have to sign a special release to taste them. What would a trip to Key West be without a visit to the Mel Fisher museum? “Today
is the Day”, was a common phrase from Mel when he was looking for the Atocha so I figured the same rang true of seeing the museum. It was a great chance to see some of the treasures and artifacts that have been recovered. The Mel Fisher Museum is located on Greene Street and once you have visited, if you are interested in diving the Atocha or Santa Margarita, you can contact
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plantains were great. If you’re not sure about any of the dishes on the menu just ask the staff, they are willing to make a recommendation and I was very happy with the one they made for me. After dinner I guarantee the wandering bug will hit you and you will find yourself exploring Duval Street. Local places like the Wyland Gallery are great to see some of
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KEY WEST SOUTHEAST DESTINATION
Duval street. Photo www.placesaroundflorida.com.
Excavating the St. John’s wreck. Photo Mel Fisher Museum.
Bill Lorraine at Mel Fisher’s Treasures and see about becoming an investor. It sounds like a great adventure and who knows, you might find the next mother lode. I do plan to go back to the Key West area to dive so I did take the time to explore the options for divers. There are many dive operators in and around Key West to list but two land based operators I have been with are Southpoint Divers located on Front Street and Captain’s Corners located on Greene by the marina. Both operators make routine trips to the Hoyt S. Vandenberg along with other local wreck sites and reef dive locations. Both are accommodating to technical divers. The diving in the Key West area is famous. There are many reasons to plan your next dive trip heading in that direction. For instance, The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has a lot to offer divers of all levels. Known for its shark populations, as well as other large marine animals, divers literally dive into an underwater world wonder. Rocky reefs, lush kelp forests, whale migrations corridors, spectacular deep-sea 12
canyons, and underwater archaeological sites, as well as giant humpback whales, draw divers from all over the world. Want to dive some of the off-the-beaten path locations like the pristine locations of the Dry Tortugas or visit Fort Jefferson, once home to Dr. Samuel Mudd? Frank and Mel of the M/V Spree, one of the few remaining adventure liveaboards in the area may be who you want to call. For tech divers, the Sprees will be taking Richie Kohler out this year to do some deep wreck dives, one to a submarine that may not have been entered since it sank. All I could think was wow the chance to dive with one of the Deep Sea Detective and Shadow Divers, what an opportunity! These are just a few things to see and do in Key West when not diving. I could go on and on but you need a few things to discover on your own toom, but thanks for coming along with me. As they say at Irish Kevin’s “May your morning bring joy, and your evening bring peace... May your troubles grow less, as your blessing increase!” ■
Come dive the U.S.S. Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg! Open to all levels of divers! Daily trips to the Vandenberg and the barrier reef The only custom built dive boat in Key West!
606 Front St., Key West, FL. 33040
(800) 891-3483 (305) 292-9778 southpointdivers.com
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SOUTHEAST DESTINATION
KEY WEST
Exploring the Cayman Salvage Master. Photo Southpoint Divers.
The best place
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13
GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT
SOUTHEAST DIVE DESTINATION
GINNIE SPRINGS OUTDOORS A Devil of a Dive
By Mike Hughes
G
innie Springs Outdoors is a timeless destination. Over 10,000 years ago Ginnie Springs served as natural springs for Pleistocene animals such as giant ground sloths and the roaming ancestral cousins of elephants, Wooly Mammoths. For the next thousand years it has been a watering and hunting ground of Timucua and other native tribes where, before the Spanish marched up north and the monks brought with them their new religion, there were 200,000 native Timucua and 510 chiefdoms. Now, 67 years later, Ginnie Springs serves divers from all over the world. The 72 degree year round springs is shaded by 500 year old Cypress trees and remains unpolluted. The name comes from
a woman named Ginnie who used to wash her laundry in the sparkling clear waters. Divers have been enjoying the springs for more than 35 years, exploring the vast underwater world that fed local residents for so long. Ginnie Springs Outdoors is a privately owned outdoor park and camping grounds and occupies 200 wooded acres surrounding 7 natural springs. Of the seven springs, four are open for diving. Ginnie Springs, the Devil’s Springs System (the Devils Springs System is the Little Devils, the Devils Eye and the Devils Eye) the Devil’s Eye and the Devil’s Ear Systems are open to recreational divers and, for cavern and cave certified divers there are 30,000 ft. of passageways to explore. The temptation to explore the last two sites is
so great, they had to make a rule that only certified cave or cavern divers may carry dive lights in the Devil’s Spring System to detour those less qualified divers. Recreational divers can use or carry dive lights only at Ginnie Springs. Not allowing the dive lights makes amateur divers not so inclined to investigate a place they can’t see in. Ginnie Springs is a 100 ft. wide bowl about 15 ft. deep until you pass through a 20 x 4 ft. cheese wedge opening in the limestone side wall and follow a sturdy rope past the boulders descending into a 50 + ft. deep ballroom. Here you can go up 35 ft. and touch the ceiling where you may discover several pockets of air left by former divers allowing you to listen to strange aquatic sounds. You can also move
One of seven crystal-clear, freshwater springs. Photo by www.naturalnorthflorida.com. 14
Dive Locally - Where It Really Matters
SOUTHEAST DIVE DESTINATION back into the cave around 50 ft. and pose for pictures next to the welded gate that prohibits divers from wandering into the Ginnie Spring maze. The maze has claimed many lives over the years. You will feel a rush of some 30 million gallons of water passing through the springs as you dive. In total, the springs produce over 100 million gallons of water each day. The water flows out to the Santa Fe River where you can use a third tank of air drifting and looking for shark teeth from prehistoric times. The river is a thick brown color from tannin most of the year but a couple of months in the summer the vis in the river can get to better than 30 ft. A 150 ft. long run connects Ginnie Springs to the Santa Fe River, but don’t expect to see any manatees up here especially in the summer, this is not their stomping grounds. What you will see however, besides the limestone formations, are a few varieties of fish and big turtles people can’t resist holding onto seeing for themselves that turtles are indeed, a poor choice to use as an underwater propulsion device. However, if you like looking up at over hanging trees and passing bikinis on inner tubes, you will definitely like the
GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT
Diving in the freshwater springs. Photo www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com.
Discover Florida ecotourism at its best.
Relax year round in Florida’s unspoiled wilderness. Feel the excitement as you slip beneath the calm and clear waters of 7 freshwater springs into a world that is amazing and astounding. Ginnie Springs Outdoors is a world-renowned dive destination with a full service dive shop, air station and rentals. A 5-star PADI facility offering open water, overhead and technical training.
Enjoy your next Florida vacation or “STAYcation” here at Ginnie Springs Outdoors! Call (386) 454-7188 or visit
www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com.
We support our local dive shopS - without them we will not have a dive industry.
15
GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT
SOUTHEAST DIVE DESTINATION
Camping facility. Photo www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com.
scenic view since many folks come to the river to relax as they float down the river. As for the Devil’s Spring System, Little Devil is a fissure in the substrate you can enter and descend down to 42 ft. As with all dives here, be careful of excessive kicking with your fins and you can get some great images of the mouth of the crack and the trees suspended in the overhead sky. You can find videos on You Tube that show divers swimming down a narrow run into a somewhat round well that descends down to 20 ft.; this is Devils Eye. At the bottom is a warning sign near the entrance of Devil’s Dungeon (NO ONE knows what the dungeon is) this area is off limits to recreational divers. The low overhead and need for lights are life saving indicators more training is required before entering the area. Just down from Devil’s Eye is the Devil’s Ear and just past a log at 15 ft. is the entrance to the main labyrinth. The water shoots out of here fast, so be careful and watch out for divers shooting back out of the narrow entrance at the end of their dive. Past the restriction there is a cave warning sign at 45 ft. and non-cave divers are not to proceed past this point. Now it is your turn to shoot out of the opening with vortex speed but remember, be careful and hold on so you don’t run into another diver or hurt the log with an indent of your facemask. The gift/rental/air fill and dive store offers T-shirts to make any diver happy and quality state-of-the-art gear for even the most devoted recreational and cave diver. One of my good friends from Seattle and fellow PADI Master Instructor, Fred Doner, comes here a few times each year and says the training staff is excellent. This is where he became cavern diver certified. One difference between cavern diving and cave diving is cavern means you can see day light, with cave diving you lose daylight. Divers are still theoretically able to make a controlled emergency ascent back up to the 16
Having fun “tubing.” Photo www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com.
surface; cave divers may lack this option depending how far they have traversed through an overhead environment. Cavern and cave diving is overhead. You cannot make any ascent up. Overhead divers would have to travel out and then up to the surface Cave divers may also use specific gear such as side-mounted tanks; where cavern divers may only have brief modifications to their existing equipment. A cave diver’s
gear and setup is specific and different from other tech divers as well. Cave divers may also have stage bottles while open water tech divers may not due to ocean currents. Finally, equipment and training are critical in overhead environments so cave diver courses can be split up a few weeks (many folks take classes back to back ) apart so you can ingest the knowledge and practice essential skills before moving on. Jacques
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SOUTHEAST DIVE DESTINATION
GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT
Children’s playground. Photo www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com.
Cousteau once said that Ginnie Springs has the clearest water in the world and I would agree. I can’t think of any other sufficiently safe place where I’d rather learn to become a certified cavern diver. Ginnie Springs Outdoors is approximately 2 hours north of Orlando
or 40 minutes from the Gainesville airport. There are hundreds of campsites along the way as well as in the area and you can swim, canoe, and kayak, play volleyball, or tube float in the springs or down the Santa Fe River; there is so much to do. There is actually so much to do at Ginnie Springs
Outdoors it wouldn’t fit into one article; so, if you’ll excuse me, I need to do a few more dives, and at least a week of camping before I mention anything else about this great outdoor dive destination. Great Dives! For more info on Ginnie Springs Outdoors visit www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com. ■
Galapagos Diving Sept. 3-10
Dive Rescue International
Dive Rescue International provides current and professional water rescue education, technical support and high quality water rescue equipment and equipment repair to the public safety industry.
Upcoming classes in your region: Dive Rescue I
Grand Rapids, MI West Hartford, CT Salisbury, MD
May 18-20, 2011 May 20-22, 2011 June 3-5, 2011
Saginaw, MI
May 20-22, 2011
Grand Rapids, MI
March 4, 2011
Swiftwater Rescue
PSI Visual Cylinder Inspection
To become a host for one of our 30+ training programs, and receive FREE tuitions, please call (800) 248-3483, or visit www.DiveRescueIntl.com Dive Stores can host Dive Rescue International classes and receive CASH commissions up to $1875.00
Your one stop shopping for international scuba travel
1-800-737-3483
www.ultimatedivetravel.com udive@ultimatedivetravel.com This is an Ultimate Dive Travel group sponsored trip on the new Buddy Wolf liveaboard. Starting September 2011 our two new boats will go out every Saturday to Saturday. Free Nitrox.
This publication supports the southeast Dive Community
17
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sancuary The Garden Tended by Divers
al cap. the cor .gov. e v o b a a en.noa ng f ish Schooli /f lowergard :/ p t ht Photo
By Rick Stratton Publisher, Dive News Network
I
t is the “garden” of the sea. Years of planning and tending to by both divers and NOAA, this ocean “garden” is home to some of the world’s most interesting topography. Located over 100 miles from land, in the Gulf of Mexico, this is truly a wonder of the underwater world. A part of an ecosystem that thrives in what can be a sometimes harsh environment, this awe inspiring landscape holds the true riches of the world’s waters. With a sampling of incredible beauty spiced with ocean wild, manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads as big as buses, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates, as well as some of the most interesting landscape, makes for a diving adventure that should well be on the very top of any diver’s bucket list.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is one of 14 federally designated underwater areas protected by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Located about 115 miles off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, the sanctuary is home to countless underwater communities and consists of three separate areas. East Flower Garden Bank has a pear shaped dome that is 3.1 miles in diameter and 19.2 square nautical miles. This area has a 350 acre reef crest that comes within 60’ of the ocean’s surface. West Flower Garden Bank has an oblong shaped dome that is 6.8 miles making up 22.5 square nautical miles of area to explore. West Flower Garden Bank has a 100 acre reef crest that comes within 66’ of the surface. Finally, Stetson Bank, by far the largest draw for divers due to its reputation for being one of the world’s most unusual
places to dive, has less than 1 square nautical mile of Siltstone Bedrock and comes within 55’ of the surface of the ocean. The banks themselves are further accentuated by the miles of open ocean that separate them, also ranging from 200 to 400 ft. deep. For a diver this is an entire world of diving in one body of water, the Gulf of Mexico. Divers are treated to over 21 species of coral, 200 plus fish species, 250 plus macro invertebrate species, 80 species of algae and the regal loggerhead turtle. These, of course, are joined by the dozens of manta rays, sharks and other usual suspects. Cher Walker of True Blue Water Sports in Lake Charles, Louisiana is on the Advisory Council for the Flower Gardens and is pretty proud of what the sanctuary has to offer. “I’ve been in the Advisory Council for about two months now however, we have
Huge coral colonies cover the sea floor. Photo http://flowergarden.noaa.gov. 18
We support the southeast dive community
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY done dive charters out to the Flower Garden Banks for a while,” Walker says. “It is the northern most coral reef in the continental US and it is incredible. The salt domes built up over thousands of years and because of the rich currents the sea life is amazing.” Walker adds because it is protected, the sanctuary is in great shape and is very well preserved. “There are some amazing dive spots like Stetson Bank,” Walker says. “Stetson is deeper and more of a wall and there is more sea life there. It’s my favorite. We call it Hawaii right out our back door. People go all over the world to dive to find the very stuff we have right here. I like to tell people it is like going to a movie theater. You can go to the edge of the bank and literally sit there, watching the show. There are thousands of animals and it is all so full of color.” A new member of the Advisory Council, Walker wants folks to know she is there for them to voice their concerns to. “I want people, divers and dive shop owners, to know I am here to hear their concerns.” Discovered by snapper and grouper fishermen in the late 1800’s, the banks were named after the brightly colored sponges, plants, and other marine life in the area. After time, and as science learned more and more about the biological diversity of the reefs the area was designated as
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS
Location map. Photo http://flowergarden.noaa.gov.
a sanctuary. In 1992 it became official. East and West Flower Garden Banks were designated first followed by Stetson Bank in 1996. Today, scientists are still working to understand the complex ecosystems that dominate the sanctuary. The geology of the area combined with the habitats of the life there, the Gulf of Mexico’s larger
ecosystem and its watersheds make the area a dream natural laboratory for the study of the ocean’s environments. Many have referred to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary as a national treasure and a lot of work is being done to better understand how it developed and how the different ocean communities
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19
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
Deep coral habitat. Photo http://flowergarden.noaa.gov. have developed within the area. Melanie Wasson of M/V Spree, a live-aboard operating out of Muenster, TX, says they do trips out to the sanctuary all the time and enjoy seeing how amazed people are at what it has to offer. “We operate a 100 ft., 24-passenger live-aboard with three decks and we do a number of trips each year, most running 4 days with 3 full days of diving,” Wasson says. “Divers really love going out to the Banks. We take a lot of people in the late summer, August through September; that’s the best time to see the large pelagic fish. It is like watching a slide show to watch the life swim by.” Wasson adds that her favorite dive spot at the Banks is the number one buoy on East Flower Garden Bank. “It is the shallowest area and there is a huge patch of finger coral there,” Wasson says. “There is also a drop off where the coral starts to plate at 120 feet and it is a large grouper hangout. It is a stunning dive.” All of the banks of the Flower Garden Banks sanctuary are salt domes rising above
Hunchback Scorpion Fish. Photo http://flowergarden.noaa.gov. 20
we support the southeast dive community
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS
for the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, says the area offers divers a very different type of dive experience. “It is my job is to make sure people find out about the sanctuary and what it has to offer,” Drinnen says. “It is a beautiful environment with an amazing amount of coral, mostly in boulder formations. From the sand flats, you can literally look up at 12-15 feet of coral growth.” Another part of Drinnen’s job is to inform divers and dive operators about what they can do to help maintain the area; however she says it is relatively pristine. “There are very few dive operators that go out,” Drinnen says. “The
distance from the coast keeps many people from going out there and because there are so few divers during the year we see less of a human impact than most other coral reefs. I hear from people all the time who are just amazed at how healthy the coral is. We also have some amazing natural events that occur each year like the coral spawning in August, which is spectacular. In the winter we see schooling hammerhead sharks and whale sharks are common summer visitors. It is definitely something every diver should experience at least once. This is the type of diving divers travel the world to experience and we have it right here.” ■
230,000+ DIVERS CAN’T BE WRONG
the sea floor. Normally logic would dictate this would make for a harsh environment but surprisingly it appears to have the opposite effect. Developed by evaporation some 190 million years ago scientists believe the salt domes became home to the coral reef communities of East and West Flower Garden Banks probably 10,000 to 15,000 years ago and probably originated from Mexican reefs when currents in the western Gulf of Mexico carried the young corals northward. However the Banks developed, what has resulted is an underwater Mecca for divers worldwide. Kelly Drinnen, the Outreach Specialist
WHATEVER YOUR CERTIFICATION LEVEL. WHEREVER YOU GO. DIVE WITH PEACE OF MIND. Join more than 230,000 divers who carry a DAN card alongside their c-card. Divers Alert Network provides emergency medical evacuation assistance, a worldwide 24-hour Emergency Hotline, dive accident and trip insurance programs, medical advice and detailed travel information on dive destinations worldwide. DAN is your dive safety association.
DAN.ORG/JOINTODAY 1-800-446-2671 Visit DAN at Beneath the Sea, March 25-27
Leading dive safety, medical research and education, and emergency assistance for over 30 years.
Local divers don’t just divewww.mwdivenews.com locally - they dive globally!
Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
21 21
GEAR BOX WITH MIKE HUGHES Liquid Image Camera/video Mask
The 5megapixal version of this mask has a camera photo resolution of 2595x1944 and a warranty down to 130ft. Video resolution is 1289x720: HD720. There is a built in 64mg memory for data processing and it comes with a 2GB SD card that can be upgraded to a 32GB card, which allows you the opportunity to take up to 36800 images or 960 minutes of video. Use the image editing software, and down load your pictures and video every couple of days. www.liquidimageco.com
Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer
Oceanic just came out with four different dive computers all with Duel Algorithm capabilities. You can set it for liberal recreation dive limits, set it for conservative deep and cold water dive limits, or just set it to be compatible with your buddy’s computer. Of all four models, I like the OC1 the best because of it's ability to do remote buddy pressure checks. In addition to wireless air-integration, add a built in digital compass, a titanium body, the ability to switch between 3 independent transmitters and up to 3 nitrox mixes up to 100% Oxygen, and your talking about one sweet device. Built for free dive depths to 660ft. www. oceanicworldwide.com
Get the free mobile app for your phone
PSI 500 Mask Defog Mask Scrub Combo Pack
When there is a product that you’ve used as a scuba dive instructor for more than ten years, it’s hard to mention such a well known established product in the new gear item column. Now add another wellknown product along with the first, and you really have your mask full. PSI 500 has been making tester choice award mask scrub and mask defog products for years, but they now have put both products in a Combo Pack that is ready to go anywhere you go; two 1oz bottles to be exact. While you always need a scrub solution to clean a new mask, dive boat mask rinse buckets, and even small pollution molecules on the ocean’s surface make a mask film over too. Once scrubbed clean, use a finger to apply the defogger and you are ready to enjoy superior vision on every dive. For more information visit a local dive retailer.
The Scap
The Scap is a cap for cool scuba dive cats that on a glance looks like a bandana, but when you touch it, you realize that the Scap is something functional besides looking fashionable. It’s made of 1.5mm neoprene. Like any other bandana, it keeps your hair from getting tangled on a dive or if you are like me, it protects your head from the sun’s rays while above and below water. The Scap also reduces heat lost from your head. Little soft rubbery bumps help keep the Scap in place throughout a dive. I prefer the pirate design out of the 12 available patterns, but it’s underwater in sunny tropical waters where the Scap truly shines, or should I say, keeps the sun’s rays away, and manages hair. www.thescap.com
http:/ / gettag.mobi
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY BaHaMaS Juliet Sailing & Diving 866.558.5438 www.sailjuliet.com
BEliZE
Calypso Beach Retreat 303.264.8333 www.calypsobeachretreat.com Hugh Parkeys 888.223.5403 www.belizediving.com Sun Breeze Hotel 1.800.688.0191 www.sunbreeze.net
BonairE
Buddy Dive Resort 599.717.5080.518 www.buddydive.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Divi Resorts 954.545.0269 www.diviresorts.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com The Dive Outfitters 780.483.0044 www.thediveoutfitters.ca
BritiSH Virgin iSland NV Yacht Charters 443.829.8576 www.nvcharters.com
22 22
An alphabetical listing of participating dive shops, charters, live aboards and resorts in tropical locations around the world.
CaYMan iSlandS Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Divetech@Cobal Coast Dive Resort 888.946.5656 divetech.com cobaltcoast.com Southern Cross Club 800.899.2582 www.southerncrossclub.com Sunset House 800.854.4767 www.sunsethouse.com
CoSta riCa Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com
CoZUMEl Albatros Charters 888.333.4643 www.cozumel-fishing.com BlueBubbleScuba 987.872.4240 www.bluebubble.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Island DreamsTravel 800.346.6116 www.divetrip.com Scuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com
www.nedivenews.com
CoZUMEl (Cont.) Sea Robin 951.824.9073 www.searobincozumel.com
CUraCao
Ocean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com
fiJi
Beqa Lagoon Resort 800.542.3454 www.beqalagoonresort.com Dancer Fleet 305.669.9391 www.dancerfleet.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Dolphin Bay Divers Retreat 679.992.4001 dolphinbaydivers.com Koro Sun 970.209.4265 www.korosunresort.com Lalati 877.750.0233 www.lalatifiji.com Qamea Resort & Spa 649.360.0217 www.qamea.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com Wananavu 679.669.4433 www.wananavu.com
Northeast Dive News JANUARY 2008
We support our local dive shop - without them we will not have a dive industry.
ALABAMA Down Under Dive Shop
Gulf Shores
(251) 968-3483
Store
(561) 368-0555
Store
SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST
DIVE DIRECTORY TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY FLORIDA Force-E Scuba
Boca Raton
Crystal River Water Sports Crystal River The Scuba Center Ocean Sports of North Pinellas Dr Dive Atlantic Scuba, Inc. Blue Iguana Charters
(727) 934-6474
Store/Charter
Venice
(941) 483-3483
Charter
Williston
(352) 528-5770
Store/Charter
Lawrenceville
(678) 407-2442
Charter
Marietta
(770) 973-7909
Store
Stockbridge
(770) 389-9949
Store
Blue Grotto
GEORGIA
(352) 795-7033
Charter
(561) 278-7020
Store
The Dive Shop
Dunedin
(727) 733-1919
Store
Wet Scuba & Travel
Gulf Breeze
(617) 943 5553
Charter
Holly Hill
(386) 253-7558
Store
Key Largo
(561) 797-2540
Charter
Horizon Divers
Key Largo
(800) 984-3483
Charter
Key Largo
(866) 293-5006
Charter
Captain's Corner Dive Center
Tarpon Springs
Megalodon Charters
Delray Beach
Island Ventures Southpoint Divers
Narcosis Scuba Center
Key West
(305) 296-8865
Store
Key West
(800) 891-3483
Charter
Dive Dive Dive, Inc.
LOUISIANA Underwater Adventures True Blue Watersports Scuba Ventures
Baton Rouge
(225) 927-3483
Store/Charter
Lake Charles
(337) 310-1681
Store
Shreveport
(318) 222-3483
Charter
NORTH CAROLINA Atlantis Charters
Atlantic Beach
www.atlantischarters.net
6pack Charter
Cape Fear Dive Center
Carolina Beach
(910) 458-7390
Store
Cave Excursions
Live Oak
(386) 776-2299
Charter
Dive Hatteras
Frisco
(703) 818-1850
Charter
Dive Outpost
Live Oak
(386) 776-1449
Charter
Outer Banks Diving
Hatteras
(252) 986-1056
Charter
Abyss Dive Center
Marathon
(800) 457-0134
Store/Charter
Diver Style Scuba
Monroe
(704) 289-2089
Store
New Bern
(252) 638-3432
Store
Winterville
(252) 439-4390
Store/Charter
Naples
(239) 434-7477
Charter
Divin' Dawgs
Ocala Dive Center
Ocala
(352) 732-9779
Store
Rum Runner Dive Shop
The Dive Station
Orlando
(407) 843-3483
Store
Panama City Beach
(850) 230-8006
Charter
Low Country Scuba
Mount Pleasant
(843) 884-1500
Store/Charter
(866) 348-3776
Store
Coastal Scuba
N. Myrtle Beach
(800) 249-9388
Charter
Scubadventures
Dive Locker Dive Pros
Pensecola
Scuba Shack/Wet Dreams Charters
SOUTH CAROLINA
Pensecola
(850) 433-4319
Store/Charter
Force-E Scuba
Pompano Beach
(954) 943-3483
Charter
Force-E Scuba
Riviera Beach
(561) 845-2333
Charter
Tavernier
(800) 274-3483
Store/Charter
Conch Republic Divers
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY galaPagoS
Divencounters 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com Red Mangrove 00593.2.3823801/3823941 www.redmangrove.com
HondUraS Utila Tours 800.668.8452 337.893.0013 www.utila.com
indonESia Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Island DreamsTravel 800.346.6116 www.divetrip.com Kungkungan Bay Resort & Spa 530.347.2300 www.divekbr.com Lembeh Hills Resort www.LembehHills.com 62.812.441.18.000 Pindito Liveaboard 831.818.8594 www.pindito.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com Tasik Ria Resort Spa & Diving 62.431 -.824.445 www.tasikria.com Worldwide Dive and Sail 866.258.6398 www.worldwidediveandsail.com
Northeast Dive News JANUARY 2008
To be listed in our Dive Dive Directory call (360) 240-1874 or email us at keath@divenewsmag.com
To be listed in our Tropical Dive Directory call 360.240.1874 or email us at keath@divenewsmag.com
MExiCo Abyss Dive Center 52.984.873.2164 www.abyssdivecenter.com Aquanauts Dive Adv. 998.206.9365 www.aquanautsdiveadventures.com
PHiliPPinES
Atlantis Dive Resort 775.588.0500 www.atlantishotel.com Deep Blue Adventures 888.266.2209 www.deepblueadventures.com Island DreamsTravel 800.346.6116 www.divetrip.com
rEd SEa - EgYPt Fly & Sea Dive Adventures 888.995.DIVE(3483) www.redseadiving.ca Learning Through Travel 516.781.5556 www.learningthroughtravel.com
roatan
SEa of CortEZ/SoCorro iSlandS Rocio Del Mar 602.558.9580 www.rociodelmarliveaboard.com
St. Croix (U.S. Virgin iSlandS) BVI Scuba 284.540.2222 www.bviscubaco.com Cane Bay Dive Shop 340.773.9913 www.canebayscuba.com Jost Van Dyke 800.778.8066 www.jostvandyke.com
St. kittS Dive St. Kitts 869.564.8914 www.divestkitts.com
tUrkS & CaiCoS Oasis Divers 649.946.1128 www.oasisdivers.com Dive Provo 649.946.5040 www.diveprovo.com
CoCo View Resort Roatan 800.282.8932 www.roatan.com
To be listed in our Tropical Dive Directory call (360) 240-1874 or email us at keath@divenewsmag.com
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Northeast Dive News JANUARY 2008