Turtley Amazing

It was a beautiful day in West Palm Beach as the Dive Club boarded Ocean Quest’s Sunny Sunday for a two-tank adventure. Captain Tony, First Mate Anthony, and Dive Master Mike took excellent care of the group throughout the day. Seas were relatively calm with gentle rolling 2- to 3-foot waves, partly cloudy skies, and warm air temperatures around 85 degrees, making for ideal diving conditions.

Dive 1 – Tear Drop
The first dive of the day took us to Tear Drop, where divers enjoyed 83-degree water, approximately 60 feet of visibility, and a mild north current. Descending onto the reef at a maximum depth of 53 feet, the group was immediately rewarded with abundant marine life. Four sea turtles cruised along the reef, providing several memorable encounters, while a massive Goliath Grouper peeked out from beneath a ledge. Dive Master Mike also introduced divers to one of the reef’s smaller residents—tiny snapping shrimp hidden among the rocks. Although difficult to spot, their distinctive snapping sounds echoed through the reef, adding a fascinating soundtrack to the dive.
During the surface interval, Mike shared stories of a particularly friendly Goliath Grouper named Jasper, along with the possibility of seeing turtles, sharks, and a curious school of Atlantic spadefish on the next dive. The anticipation built as everyone prepared for the second splash.

Dive 2 – The Breakers Fourth Window
The second dive delivered on every promise and then some. Conditions remained excellent with 83-degree water and 60 feet of visibility, though a strong north current made for a more spirited drift. At a maximum depth of 56 feet, divers were greeted by four more sea turtles and an impressive four lemon sharks. One shark seemed perfectly content resting in the sand, posing patiently while divers admired it, taking photos.
The stars of the dive, however, were the Goliath Groupers. Four of these gentle giants were spotted, including the famous Jasper himself. True to his reputation, Jasper proved remarkably friendly and allowed several lucky divers to closely observe him during the encounter.

The dive ended with one of the day’s most entertaining moments. Mike settled into the sand near a school of Atlantic spadefish, and just as promised, the fish swam over and began rubbing against his fins like affectionate ocean house cats. Several divers followed his example and were delighted when the spadefish extended the same treatment to them, creating a truly unique and unforgettable interaction.

^{Happy divers (from left) back row: Stephen Pie, Evy Brow, Capt. Tony, Amy Shea, Gabriel Mera, Angelica Cookson, Cheri Craft, Sheila Schlafly. Front row: Safety Officer Amber Laureano, Kyle Weisenberg.}

From turtles and sharks to giant groupers and playful spadefish, the day showcased the incredible diversity of West Palm Beach diving. Combined with a fantastic crew, a great group of divers, and beautiful conditions both above and below the surface, it was a day that will be remembered for a long time.

^{Photos by Amy Shea, Evy Brow, and Sheila Schlafly.}