Nurse Sharks Galore

Tavernier with Conch Republic

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Flat seas, 100' vis, nurse sharks galore, rays, a reef shark, beautiful coral, lovely people. Captain Jason and his crew hit it out of the park again with a great morning of diving.

^{Enjoying a beautiful day on the water: (from left) Maureen Niland, Steve McPhillips, Deborah London, Barbara Scavullo, Steve Moore, Sheila Schlafly, Active Divers Founder and Safety Officer Lee Wood.} 

Dive #1 - Hen & Chickens Reef: 

Mooring ball close to tower. Depth 20' feet, water temp 86 degrees F, no current, vis 80" +  A gentle dive heading west from the mooring along the ledge of the reef, passing many staghorn, elkhorn, fan, and many other species of coral, arriving at the unnamed barge wreck. The wreck was an unnamed barge that was carrying bricks and broke free from its tow in July 1949, and is covered in soft coral. Some of the fish spotted were parrotfish, needlefish, queen angelfish, barracuda, boxfish, and a lobster.  A leisurely turn at the wreck, we headed back to the boat along the ledge, enjoying the coral, fish,  clear water, and the calm seas.

Dive # 2 - Shark Island Reef a.k.a. Spanky's: 

Depth 30' water temp 85 F, no current, vis 80 - 100" flat seas. The welcoming committee of at least six nurse sharks greeted us upon entry and stayed with us throughout the dive. Swimming SW from the boat, the nurses swam with us, around us, and in between us all the way to the ledge of the reef. Upon arriving at the reef, we were treated to a couple of large schools of yellowtail snappers, a very large ray buried in the sand, a smaller ray, French, queen, and grey angelfish, box fish, and a reef shark spotted in the distance.  Also spotted were a small lobster, a large sea cucumber, and coral galore.

Heading back to the boat, the nurse sharks again accompanied us, circling around us as we swam along. As an added surprise, a few mermaids diving from another boat swam close by and made a circle around us while watching the sharks. The nurses bid us goodbye, and we were back on the boat and headed to the dock.

-- Active Divers Board Secretary and Safety Officer Steve McPhilips

^{Photos by Sheila Schlafly.}