Keys trip Labor Day Weekend

[Chip]

We're headed to the Keys to do some dives on Labor Day weekend. The plan is to leave Friday afternoon. We're diving in the morning on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The first dive of the day is most likely going to be a deep wreck (80' - 100') and the second dive is most likely going to be a reef. You must be advanced certified to do the deep wreck dives with the group. This is a requirement made by the boat. The cost is $390, per person, with 2 people in a room for the dives and hotel. This doesn't include a tip for the boat, your transportation or meals. Everyone in the group is going to be Enriched Air Nitrox certified, to have extended bottom times, but this isn't a requirement to join us on the trip (you can come up early with a dive buddy).

[Chip]

Okay, the cost was finalized at $395 for this trip. A $100 deposit, per person, needs to be made ASAP to reserve your spot on the trip. Nitrox fills are going to be an extra $4 - $5 per tank fill. I will check on tank rental prices if someone is interested? We're looking to do the Spiegel Grove, Duane and the Eagle for the wrecks.

510- foot USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy
327-foot Coast Guard cutter Duane
269' Freighter Eagle

http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/fl...ys-wreck-guide

[ccampo]

Very good, I will need two spots, I'll be diving with my daughter.
I will also need to sell my 2 MACNA tickets since I can't be at two locations at the same time, anybody interested in them ?

[Flcorals]

Max and I are also in for this. Looking forward to our first diving in the Keys

[Chip]

Here's the trip flyer:

[Chip]

Full payment for the Labor Day Weekend Key's trip is due on August 10th. Get ready for an excellent trip. Most of our dive group have never seen what they are about to see in the Keys. It's amazing wrecks and reefs!! To get an idea - you can check out Youtube videos on the Spiegel Grove, Duane or the Eagle for the wrecks. You can check out Molasses, French or Hens and Chickens.

[Chip]

Molasses Reef - Key Largo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2cpW56yDp0

[Chip]

Here's a better video of Molasses Reef - Key Largo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuHaht-lRgE

[Chip]

Spiegel Grove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtZnW01aYes

[ccampo]

Beautiful... can't wait

[Chip]

We're leaving for the Keys next Friday!! I'm trying to finalize the carpool and room arrangements. I'm still not sure who is going as families and who's going only as divers. On trips like this; their is a diver and a non-diver rate. The non-diver rate covers the room for additional people (family members). Each suite will have 4 paying people, which covers the 4 beds. Bedroom one has 2 double beds. Bedroom 2 has a king bed. The last bed is a pull out sofa.

We're staying at Ocean Point Suites in Key Largo:

http://www.keyscaribbean.com/homes/ocean_pointe.php

We're diving with Florida Keys Dive Center:

http://www.floridakeysdivectr.com/

I'm meeting with Keith (The Dive Station owner) on Saturday, for lunch, to finish the remaining plans, which includes the room arrangements.

[Chip]

Here's a nice video of the Duane (one of the wrecks we're diving next weekend):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tme0yYcU8c

[Chip]

Some of the wrecks we're diving might have strong currents, so be prepared. I'm bringing a Jon line. It helps in strong currents.

[Chip]

The videos are nice, but they really don't do the real experience justice. I looked real hard to find the best videos. I'm amazed every time I do these dives. It's an amazing underwater world that no aquarium or video can capture it's true beauty!

[Chip]

Some of the wrecks we're diving might have strong currents, so be prepared. I'm bringing a Jon line. It helps in strong currents.

Someone asked me about a Jon line. Here's some pictures of my rig:

[Chip]

Jim wants to do more dives on the Keys trip. I'm getting pricing and availability information for Saturday and / or Sunday afternoon trips. Is anyone else interested in doing more dives on the Keys trip?

[Flcorals]

get the prices first, chat tonight at the meeting

[ccampo]

Interested, or maybe we can look for places to do skin dives

[Chip]

The price is $65 + tax, per diver, for an additional boat trip.

[Chip]

We might be able to snorkel at the place we are staying at. I will check on other places.