The diving in the Marco Island, Naples area this May has been very good.  Better for those with hearty sea-legs or know their proper Dramamine dosage!  I was seasick once as a child (aboard the head boat Elwood Starn out of Tin City).  I have great empathy for those that succumb to a confused sea.  There’s too much confusion on land, we don’t need the sea confused too. 

My empathy has been called upon frequently lately, today no exception.  I was hoping to run a group of bubble blowers out to Collier’s 9 Mile Reef southwest of Capri Pass.   There are several large debris piles within the half mile to mile long rectangle drop zone.  including a pile that lit my bottom machine up the last time out that I wasn’t aware of.  I figured it was a new drop from this past fall and briefed my divers to be prepared for a fresh reef, lacking the plush and vibrant soft corals that adorn any submerged structure down in the gulf in just a few years.  The first 3 divers back to the boat exclaimed WOW after removing their regulators.  Two veteran local divers ranted about the thick sponges and how much life was on the reef.  Queen and French Angelfish, a big Loggerhead Sea Turtle, plenty of Goliath Grouper, are among the list of highlights too long to document here.  I was eager to explore it myself for the first time today!

Yesterday NOAA’s forecast was for 5 to 10 knots from the South.  That’s a decent run southwest to the 9 Mile Wow.  Today’s reality was 12 to 17 knots right out of the southwest.  They lied to us again, I thought to myself as I slowed our 28 foot dive vessel Scorpion IV to assess the seas.  I had no choice to abandon the float plan and turn to the northwest.  Empathy for motion sickness is one thing but today I had an expectant bubble watcher (can’t dive while pregnant) so avoiding any hard jolts in the tricky gulf short chop was paramount.  When divers enter the shop asking about local trips they often ask what sites I’m going to.  I generally reply that I won’t be sure until we’re running out of the pass.  Not only do wind speed and direction often dictate my float plan, structure is at a premium here in the gulf.  Etiquette dictates not crowding a fishing boat that has worked hard to anchor over the same reef or wreck we want to explore.  I’ve ran to as many as six sites to find an open spot.

I was reluctant to run the 6 miles to the Sgt. Klein Memorial (Keywadin) Reef since it only got us 3 miles offshore.  Although the water color looked good just outside the pass I wondered about visibility at the shallow (25 feet) spot.  I figured the sloppy swells were creating surge on the bottom plus we’re coming off a full moon which at times will put a whammy on near shore dive conditions.  I had no choice but to go with the flow and run northwest in the trough.  Don’t want a miscarriage on my shoulders!

My favorite spot there was being fished but we had three others to choose from within a tenth of a mile.  We anchored the boat and pried into our wetsuits, thankfully much thinner now than six weeks ago.  I was happy to see the surface clarity was very good.  We entered the water, did our safety checks and made our decent into the surprisingly deep green water.  Our timing was perfect, the strong incoming tide was waning and despite a significant surge I could make out the reef as soon as we dropped under.  Diving in the gulf can be like a box of chocolates, we got a yummy one today.  Although we get a lot of BIG creatures here, my favorite on our first dive was a baby Hogfish the size of a fifty cent piece.  This little red blotchy spiked guy looked cooler than the adult version.  Their beauty is exceeded only by their edibility!  After the second dive I was asked by an excited diver if the Goliaths make a big THUD sound.  Indeed the four they were swimming with (all over 200 lbs.) were barking at them by swiftly moving water through their swim bladder.  The percussion wave sounds and feels like a bang on a drum.  Today, we didn’t end up where I had hoped, but made the most of the circumstances, stayed safe, and enjoyed two great dives.

Scuba Diving is a spiritual sport in a world that needs spirit.  Many dive just to be weightless and enjoy the beauty beneath.  Some develop a passion for photography, wreck or deep diving.  This is an awesome area for spear fishing.  When the bites on the poles stop during a slack tide, strap on a tank, drop down and bite back!  Seeing the layout and holes and observing fish behavior at your secret spot will certainly help your odds with the pole.  I enjoy night diving.  The nocturnal world comes out of their cracks and crevices.  Yes, we do have octopi.  After the dive it’s nice to kick back out of the city lights and gaze into the heavens.  The stars are brilliant and indefinite.  It’s the best place to wish upon a shooting star.

The Collier County waters offer unique and exhilarating diving opportunities in visibility that at times rivals the keys.  There are also times when you should be golfing, not gulfing.  Spring and summer are typically the best times to dive but it can get really good or really bad any time of the year.  Know when not to go!  Before you go seek professional training, acquire quality equipment, and dive with someone capable of boat handling (if applicable) and knowledgeable about local and environmental conditions.

I look forward to reporting about our local dive scene and highlighting some of the unique creatures and divers in our area.  Let me know what you’re seeing, especially on those night dives.  Spear fishing and all photos would be appreciated.  If you’re unsure about conditions but need to get away and dive, call Jessica or myself for a quick update.  We can be reached at Scuba Marco (239) 389-7889 or through our website @ www.scubamarco.com .

Capt. Jeff Dawson