Author Topic: Flower Gardens Trip - Planning & Information (Read 2928 times)

frankc420 · « **on:** July 12, 2007, 02:27:54 PM »

Ok, how about we get a trip setup for Flower Gardens? I've been wanting to dive there and with the current weather we can't go wrong! (*knocks on wood*) Most everywhere I look online is about $350 a head plus tip.

frankc420 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2007, 02:30:04 PM »

This article was pulled from http://www.daveread.com/FlowerGardens/

Quote

It's no secret: I love diving at the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary. There are a lot of reasons to love diving at the Flower Gardens. First, it's the best diving available in Texas, IMO. Sure, you can fly to Cozumel for better conditions, but the average 4-day trip to Cozumel costs at least $500 by the time you figure in airfare, hotel, food, and diving, and it also probably requires you to take at least one vacation day from work. Diving at the Flower Gardens costs $325, including food, transportation, diving, etc., and the two-day trips on the weekend can be done with no vacation days if you live anywhere east of the Dallas-Austin-San Antonio 'line.' On a two-day trip, you'll get to do 8 dives. Show me a way to do 8 salt-water reef dives for around $325 (remember, include housing, food, and transportation in that figure!), and I'll be there.

Need more convincing? OK, try this: of my first two trips to the Gardens, one trip was graced by two whale sharks, and the other served up several mantas (including a 14-foot monster), spotted eagle rays, an 8-foot nurse shark, and plenty more. The coral is healthy ("virgin" is no exaggeration!), and the fish life is plentiful.

Still aren't sure? When I was there over Labor Day weekend in '96, the water temperature was 85F, and the visibility ranged from 70 feet to over 150 feet.

ScubaLouie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2007, 03:21:14 PM »

I assume this would require Advanced Open Water Cert??

frankc420 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2007, 03:21:58 PM »

After doing some more research, it looks like anything for the rest of this summer, for Sat-Sun is going to cost about $450 a head. Keep in mind you will be on a 100' live aboard and all food, drink, accommodations are included. You will get 7 dives on this trip.

frankc420 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2007, 03:22:36 PM »

Quote from: ScubaLouie on July 12, 2007, 03:21:14 PM

I assume this would require Advanced Open Water Cert??

I don't believe AOW is required to do this, I'll do some research and make some calls to find out.

frankc420 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2007, 03:27:15 PM »

Here is a PDF FAQ for Flower Gardens: http://www.gulf-diving.com/faq.pdf

Here's an except to answer your question:

Quote

Certification and age?
Divers must hold a minimum certification of open water or junior open water and be at least 12 years old. All divers between the ages of 12 and 15 MUST dive with either a parent or a dive supervisor. Non-diving minor children will not be allowed unless there is a parent aboard to supervise them at all times, including during dive windows. The crew is not available for babysitting.

bottomfeeder · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2007, 05:37:49 PM »

Nice find! I'm going in the red with my SCUBA spending this year, but you only live once, right? 7-8 dives, $325? That place is creme de la creme for north Gulf diving.....Count me in!

bottomfeeder · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2007, 05:42:07 PM »

By the way, the yearly coral spawning out there is coming up. I forget exactly when, but that might be a cool time to go, although there will be several Marine Biologists taking the annual trip so it may be hard to get.

frankc420 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2007, 06:41:49 PM »

Quote from: bottomfeeder on July 12, 2007, 05:37:49 PM

Nice find! I'm going in the red with my SCUBA spending this year, but you only live once, right? 7-8 dives, $325? That place is creme de la creme for north Gulf diving.....Count me in!

During this time it's $450... still worth it though...

mwhities · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2007, 08:09:49 PM »

I'm game.

Frank, we'll cancel the Navy dive so we can get to ABWA and get more practice in our BP/Ws and then go to the Garden!

Michael

frankc420 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2007, 04:15:38 PM »

Craig, your shop runs trips to Flower Gardens, anything planned for August?

shakespear · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2007, 07:53:29 PM »

Most of my OW class went there 2 weeks after class was over, so it cant be too bad.

Don Wray · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2007, 07:57:47 PM »

I would consider it....any websites I can research

frankc420 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2007, 08:08:36 AM »

Quote from: DonWray on July 13, 2007, 07:57:47 PM

I would consider it....any websites I can research

http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/

Here's a video giving a tour of the M/V Spree: http://www.synergy-productions.com/videos/gd_video/SPREE_FI.WMV

Don Wray · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2007, 03:43:37 PM »

Looks like a good trip....a long drive for me though, about 14 hours. Keep me updated but I think I'll fly if I can go.

ScubaLouie · « **Reply #15 on:** November 15, 2007, 03:33:12 PM »

Did ya'll do this trip?

scubarealtor · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2007, 07:58:07 PM »

according to google maps its 8 hours from jackson. we drove almost that much on our last trip to GS/Morrison.

frankc420 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2007, 08:35:02 PM »

Nope we didn't... and they aren't running the boats anymore this year

frankc420 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:07:06 PM »

I just realized that Louis locked my thread for whatever reason. Unlocked.

ScubaLouie · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:15:29 PM »

I haven't a clue

guess I did it by accident or mistake $:-\$

Author Topic: Flower Gardens Trip - Planning & Information (Read 2928 times)

bottomfeeder

bottomfeeder

mwhities

shakespear