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Florida - Grouper Spawning & Lobster Season Challenge
Date: August 22-28th
Lobster Season + Grouper Spawning + Reefs + Wrecks = One Florida Trip
For years, SASS has sponsored trips to Palm Beach Florida. We’ve always touted it for having great marine life and an impressive collection of shipwrecks. During August, lobster season is added into the dive equation; why not catch some ‘bugs’ while enjoying the dives! So, after all these years, we thought we pretty much knew everything about the area. Wrong! Our latest ‘enlightenment’ came when planning this August excursion. While researching well known reefs, we stumbled upon an article discussing Goliath Groupers. Evidently they spawn off the Palm Beach’s coast from August – September. This immediately perked our interests. During our Little Cayman trip in January, Nassau grouper were spawning and it was a highlight for the week. So, needless-to-say, our August plans for Florida just got even more exciting.
Goliath Grouper: Just in case you’re not up-to-speed on sea bass, Goliath Groupers are huge friendly fish that weigh up to 800lbs! They can live to be 35 years old but unfortunately rarely make it that long. Because of their friendly, Labrador-like personalities, they are easy target for spear fisherman. In 1990, the state of Florida recognized the problem and imposed a fishing ban on Goliath Grouper. Since then, the population has grown and just recently scientist and divers have discovered their spawning habits off of Palm Beach. Goliath Grouper congregate, sometimes in the hundreds, around the full moon in August and September. The full moon is August 24th, right in the middle of our dive week. SASS has planned a 3-dive day (w/lunch) on this date. Who knows what we’ll see.
Lobster Fest: Ok, if grouper sex doesn’t excite you, then grab a goodie bag and catch some dinner. Lobster season begins in August and for the price of a fishing license, you’re allowed to catch six lobsters/day. SASS divers have brought home cooler full of ‘bugs’ from these trips. The best part, you’re still enjoying a great week diving regardless if you catch a lobster or not.
But wait, there’s more: Because the Gulf Stream runs directly over this relatively flat reef system, the marine life is impressive. As the boat motors out to a dive site, sit on the bow where you’ll often find dolphins playing off the wake. During the dive, look for stingray hiding in the sandy flats and nurse sharks sleeping under coral ledges. The green moray eels are so friendly here that many have been named by divers. Look in the distant and you’ll likely spot a Caribbean Reef, Spinner or Blacktip shark. Paul Humann, photographer and writer of the series Reef Fish, Reef Creature and Reef Coral has documented several fish like batfish and stargazers from Palm Beach. In May, sea turtles lay eggs on the area beaches. Typically, they hatch 45-75 days later depending on the species. Often, SASS divers have participated in releasing baby turtles into the ocean. Four species of sea turtles congregate on these reefs and it’s highly likely you’ll see several on this trip. All in all, you can’t find a better collection of reef creatures for the money. Shipwreck Galore: Over a dozen wrecks have been placed in the area as artificial sites. Several are easily penetrable and perfect for beginners. The wrecks include anything from a Greek luxury liner, patrol craft, freighter, barge and even an old, rather sad looking Rolls Royce car. Goliath grouper and barracuda cruise the perimeter while octopus and eels hide in the crevices.
COST:
Package Includes:
A $300 non-refundable deposit is necessary to guarantee space on this trip. Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure. At that time, no money can be refunded unless your space is filled. We strongly suggest Travel Insurance. The prices are based on current government taxes and gas surcharges. They are subject to change without notice.
INCLUDED:Hotel Accommodations from Sunday – Saturday
10 Dives (see itinerary)
Hotel Breakfast Daily
Mini-marine life seminars (see itinerary)
Tank rentals, weights
11.5% hotel tax
Dive tax of 6.5%
SASS group leader
SASS t-shirt
| Diver | Vacationer | |
| Double Occupancy | $699 | $275 |
| Triple Occupancy | $633 | $209 |
| Quad Occupancy | $599 | $177 |
Package Includes:
A $300 non-refundable deposit is necessary to guarantee space on this trip. Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure. At that time, no money can be refunded unless your space is filled. We strongly suggest Travel Insurance. The prices are based on current government taxes and gas surcharges. They are subject to change without notice.
INCLUDED:
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Itinerary:
This trip is a combination of the beauty of diving, the thrill of the catch (lobster) and brief marine life talks on several subjects.
Sunday:
- Arrive into Palm Beach per own transportation
- 7 p.m. Meet & Greet at poolside - Confirm dive times and pass out SASS Commemorative T-shirts. (This shirt is worth $2000 if you capture the perfect picture; ask how for details)
- Poolside Chat - How to Catch a Bug: Lobster Catching Techniques and Habitat
Monday:
- 2 Morning Dives
- 5pm Poolside Talk – Everything you ever wanted to know about grouper, and more!
Tuesday
- 3 Dives with Lunch Included
- Optional PA Grill all you can eat Rib night
Wednesday
- 2 Morning Dives
- 5 pm Poolside Talk – Lionfish: Pretty fish, Wrong Ocean
Thursday
- 2 Morning Dives
- Night Dive 7pm
Friday
- Free day at leisure
- Optional tour of Loggerhead Marine life Center (turtle rehab) Free
- Optional dinner and fun at the dog races
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