Itinerary
25 Aug Friday - arrive in South Florida. Check into DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 4431 PGA Boulevard Palm Beach Gardens , Florida 33410, (561) 622-2260 HERE. Not only will we be treated to DoubleTree cookies, but we will also enjoy a fabulous $25 full breakfast buffet (up to two breakfasts per room). There is also free WiFi, free parking and free shuttle service among other amenities all which have been negotiated by our lovely co-Trip coordinator Ms. Gabrielle aka SunshineDiver.
If you arrive early and would like to dive that day, consider some shore diving at Deerfield Beach Ledges HERE. or check out some of the many local attractions.
26 Aug Saturday - 2-tank morning dive (8am) with PURA VIDA DIVERS. We'll figure out where we will dive based upon the group going and any training we are providing.
The afternoon dive will either be 2 more OPTIONAL dives (1:30pm) or possibly be shore diving at Blue Heron Bridge (a macro lover's dream with seahorses, pipefish, decorator crabs, batfish, and other rare and exotic species of sea life, all in a relatively small area and all at depths less than 24 feet). Bring a dive flag if you have one (we will have some, too) since diving with a flag is required in navigable waters in Florida.
27 Aug Sunday - 2 tank morning dive (8am) with PURA VIDA DIVERS then optional 2 tank dives in the afternoon (1:30pm) if doing FULL DAY OPTION or afternoon excursion. And if interested and the tides permit...we'll do a dusk/night diver at the world famous Blue Heron Bridge!
28 Aug Monday - 2-tank morning dive (8am) with Starfish Enterprise (Again boat choice of sites combined with needs for training if any.) then OPTIONAL 2 tank dives in the afternoon (1:30pm) or afternoon excursion. And if interested and the tides permit...we'll do a dusk/night diver at the world famous Blue Heron Bridge!
29 Aug Tuesday - 2-tank morning dive (8am) with Starfish Enterprise (Again boat choice of sites combined with needs for training if any.) then OPTIONAL 2 tank dives in the afternoon (1:30pm) or afternoon excursion.
30 Aug Wednesday - Diving Jupiter we'll do a 2 tank morning dive (8am) with EMERALD CHARTERS including lunch and an OPTIONAL 3 tank afternoon dive (1:30pm) including night dive with Emerald Charters HERE , Blowing Rocks Marina, 18487 S.E. Federal Highway, Jupiter, FL 33469. Note: to save time, please complete the boat waiver in advance.
31 Aug Thursday - Diving Jupiter we'll do a 2 tank morning dive (8am) with EMERALD CHARTERS including lunch and an OPTIONAL 3 tank afternoon dive (1:30pm) including night dive.
31 Aug Thursday - Check out day for DRIVE IN divers (NOTE if an uneven number sign up for the 7 day pkg we'll honor d/o rooming requests based upon when you signed up as one person may have to do a single room to allow this to work out) FLY IN DIVERS can off gas anyway they like including numerous local attractions HERE!
01 Sept Friday - FLY IN's - check out from hotel and head home with some fabulous memories and even better pictures! (NOTE if an uneven number sign up for the 8 day pkg we'll honor d/o rooming requests based upon when you signed up as one person may have to do a single room to allow this to work out)
01 or 02 Sept Saturday IF YOU WISH TO STAY AN EXTRA DAY TO TRAVEL TO THE CAYMANS WITH US....please add another night hotel room to your trip. Friday night checking out Sat to fly to Caymans is NOT included in the pkg.
MORE INFO FROM STARFISH ENTERPRISES:
Starfish Rules and Other Info
RULES: (Having fun is No. 1! Here's the rest.)
QUESTIONS: PLEASE CALL CAPT. CRAIG AT (561) 212-2954 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!!!
DAILY DIVE TRIP SCHEDULE FOR OUR TRIP:
8:00 am & 1:30 pm
The diver should bring any gear that they have, a c-card, any medications that could be necessary, and of course things like a towel or a jacket, if the conditions require.
TEMPERATURE FACTS:
Water temperature do exceed 80 degrees in the summer to the low seventies in the winter. If you can see it in the Caribbean waters, you can see it here...Honest!! Our depths run from 45'- 65' on the west side of the reef, and 50'-80' on the east side of the reef. Since you asked about wrecks, we feature wrecks that sit in anything from 80' - 110'.
ABOUT STARFISH ENTERPRISES:
Owner/operator Captain Craig Smart has over 25 years of diving experience in these local waters and holds numerous diving and diving related certifications. Our crew members are also local divers with an emphasis on safety. Each crew member is trained in CPR/First-aid and certified as an Oxygen provider. Our Vessel "STARFISH ENTERPRISE" is a Coastguard certified, 34 foot Crusader decked out for your comfort. The "FISH", as we so lovingly call her, is certified to carry 22 divers, but 14 is all that you will find. (No cattle-boats here!)
With a wide beam, large dive platform, and a center rail to stabilize all of your movements, the "FISH" is the perfect transport to the best diving South Florida has to offer.
DIVE SITES FOR STARFISH DIVING DAYS:
Scuba Diving Sites
Our dive sites are well suited to scuba divers of all experience levels with coral reefs ranging from 45-85 feet deep, and shipwrecks from 85-110 feet. Inhabitants include just about every fish and critter in the Atlantic Ocean.
Wrecks
* Captain Tony
Depth: 85 feet
Length: 167 feet
The Captain Tony a.k.a. M/V Becks was sunk on October 22, 1996 in 85 feet of water where she sits upright with her bow to the South. Originally named the M/V Becks, this Dutch freighter was renamed the Captain Tony in memory of Captain Tony Townsend a local dive charter captain. There are numerous opportunities to penetrate the wreck with reasonable safety. Look for several large Jewfish that sometimes hangout in the engine room.
* Budweiser Barge
Depth: 95 feet
Length: 169 feet
This coastal freighter was built in Germany in 1968 and used to transport dry goods between Florida, the Bahamas, and Haiti. She was sunk on 7/16/87 where she sits today, upright with her bow facing South. Formerly named the M/S Havel, she was renamed the Budweiser Bar after Budweiser donated money to sink her as an artificial reef. Before sinking, the aluminum wheelhouse and Deutz diesel engine were salvaged for scrap metal. There are two swim-throughs cut into the hold.
* Castor
Depth: 110 feet
Length: 285 feet
Width: 37 feet
Height: 50 feet
The M/V Castor was sunk on December 14, 2001 in 110 feet of water where she sits upright with her bow to the South within 60 feet of the surface. For safety reasons, all hatches and doors have been removed.
Reefs
On reef dives, you drift dive in small groups, each group carrying it's own flag and float. Captain Craig and the Starfish crew are waiting for you when you surface. Cool! Here are a few of our favorites:
* Gulfstream
This reef features alternating 2 to 3 foot high ledges that occasionally jut up to 10 feet high. Another distinguishing feature is the soft sand that bounds the reef to the West. The soft sand is a favorite resting place for Southern Stingrays.
* Delray Ledges
The Delray Ledges are located South of the Boynton Reef system off the coast from the city of Delray Beach. The reef structure is spectacular! There are long stretches of 15-20 foot high ledges with room-size chunks of broken reef in the sand. There are also several vertical cracks and tunnels in the reef that provide a great background for photo ops. Diving this reef is easy. Just follow the ledge along the top edge or explore the broken reef area just West of the reef.
* Horseshoe
Horse Shoe Reef is named for its hooked shape. You have the choice of diving along the very inside edge of the reef or on top of the ledge about 50 feet to the East. While the top of the ledge is an attractive alternative, you run the risk of missing the Horse Shoe if you stay on top of the ledge too long. If you are new to this dive, stay on the very inside edge until you get to the Horse Shoe. You?ll see huge schools of Grunts and Yellow Tails. Sometimes there are so many fish, you?ll forget you?re diving on a reef. This is the dive where you?ll see one of everything!
* Gazebo
Gazebo is named for its gazebo landmark. It is a favorite among locals. Just West of the main reef at 60 feet you will find numerous scattered coral heads and low-lying ledges. This is a great place to look for Nurse Sharks. Go East of the main ledge and at 45 feet you will find a 2 to 3 foot high step ledge that runs parallel to the main ledge. Here you will find a wide variety of marine life including Jacks, Squid, Angelfish, Trumpet fish, and Moray Eels.
