Gentle Giants and Great Balls of Fi......sh!!

This past Sunday, a group of nine divers set out with Walkers Dive Charters for a chance to see the Goliath Groupers usually patrolling the local wrecks. The adventure began at the marina, where a couple of early arrivers got to witness a beautiful eagle ray sauntering in the marina. All patiently waited to board The Wetter The Better, our trusty dive boat for the day. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect—clear skies, calm seas, and not a drop of rain in sight. 

Dive 1 - Governors Riverwalk Reef

With visibility reports all over the map and currents shifting unpredictably across the wrecks, the captain and crew weren’t certain where the day’s best dive would be—but their call landed us at the legendary Governors Wreck Trek. Energy buzzed as we suited up, waiting for our Dive Master to scout the first site. Her call came back: “Strong current—negative entry recommended!”
Dive, dive, dive! We splashed in, adrenaline pumping, only to be greeted by less-than-ideal visibility. But what the water lacked in clarity, the wreck more than made up for in sheer presence. Towering and dramatic, it loomed in the blue like a ghost of the deep. The shifting current kept us on our toes, turning the dive into a true underwater workout—challenging, exhilarating, and unforgettable.

_{From left: William Jordan, Cheryl Craft, Brian McDermott ,Steve Potavnic, Jonathan Hilliard, Rudy Lopez, Evy Brow, Jean Gruss, and Roger Bach}

Surface Interval - Bait Ball Snorkel

On the ride to our next site, excitement broke out as the Captain suddenly shouted, “Bait ball ahead!” He skillfully eased the boat into position, and we watched in awe as thousands of shimmering fish swirled together in a living, breathing vortex. Every so often, flashes of predators darted in, sending the ball rippling with frantic movement. Masks and snorkels went on, and with careful, quiet entries, we slipped into the water to witness the spectacle up close—a raw, wild display of nature’s power.

Dive 2 - Breakers Reef

Once the show subsided, it was time for our second dive. Dropping down, we were immediately welcomed by a massive, charismatic Goliath Grouper, Jasper —the friendliest one I’ve ever met! This 200-300 lb giant had the playful demeanor of a puppy, gliding right up to divers and practically asking for attention. When the Dive Master tapped her tank, the grouper approached for what can only be described as a belly scratch session, lingering patiently so that each diver could have a turn.

Though we didn’t encounter many other groupers on this trip, that single interaction was worth the entire dive. We also noticed some coral bleaching, a sobering reminder of rising water temperatures, though our guide was optimistic that recovery might already be underway with the recent cooling

As always, diving with the Active Divers turned an ordinary day into an extraordinary one—full of challenges, surprises, and memories that will stick with us long after surfacing.

^{Photo by Rudy Lopez}

^{Photo by Jean Gruss}

^{Photo by Rudy Lopez}