Any opinions on Texas Flower Gardens,...

[SHAGGY]

I'm thinking of a Flower Gardens trip later this month. My local dive shop has booked the MV Fling for a weekend trip near the end of March. I'm courious to see who all on here has been and if any have been in the spring. I have heard that Hammerheads migrate in that area in the spring, but I havent talked to anyone who has been in the spring. I went to the Gulf Diving LLC - Welcome! website and read a trip report from last week and it stated that they saw lots and lots of sharks. Stated they saw hammerhead, tiger, and reef sharks of all sizes,... and at surface and at depth.


shaggy

[ianr33]

I have been in the spring. Saw quite a few Hammerheads.Very cool!!

The conditions can be pretty challenging and a LOT of trips get cancelled at this time of year due to wave heights. Anything over 6 feet and you will be staying home.

For an experienced diver its the best time to go IMHO.

[texdiveguy]

Its a great time if your trip makes!

[SHAGGY]

Well,.... I have dove in Cozumel and do have my advanced and have around 50 dives so far. Is there any other tips for diving the Flower Gardens? Also what thickness of suit did you guys wear in the spring? I'm thinking of just wearing my full 5mm suit with hood and gloves. Another question that may seem somewhat silly,..but here goes: With a large amount of sharks and several at the surface as well. Do they, "the sharks", pay any attention to the divers when entering or any other time? I'm really excited about the possibility of getting to see some of the big critters, but was wandering if there was any special techniques or precautions that should be taken.


Shaggy

[DevilDiver]

Water temps run high 60's maybe low 70's early spring. Brrrrr.... Thermal protection is a must especially with multiple dives.

Lots of sharks this time of year especially Hammerheads. Usually if you see Tigers they call the night dives.

You dive on your own and signaling devices are a must!! Waves and current can be an issue and divers need to be aware of depth and their location to the boat at all times. If the boat swings around due to the wind or current and it's on a 100 yard line it can be 200 yards from where you thought it was. Not like in Cozumel where they pick you up.

Great trip!! Be safe............Long way from shore and no one wants that helicopter ride.

[ianr33]

This time of year I would take my drysuit. It gets chilly doing 4 or 5 dives in one day. Everyone is different though.

Hammerheads dont care for divers bubbles and you are unlikely to get real close to them (maybe 30 feet??) Have never seen a Tiger shark and I'm O.K with that !!

[awap]

A 5mm w/hood will be OK for the first dive, but before the day is over you will wish you had more. I use a 5mm w/hooded 5mm vest and chemical heaters and that keeps me comfortable for 4 or 5 dives. Late March may be a bit late for the spring hammerheads but there is always great stuff to see. Seas can also be a problem that time of year in terms of trips cancelled and some serious challenges reboarding the boat. If you are unsure, a summertime trip when seas tend to be much better may be in order for a first timer and you will still find plenty of large fish including sharks.

I believe I'll be on the Fling for the 22 March trip after the 2 March trip was cancelled.

[doczerothree]

I dove the Flower Gardens at least 4 times. What a great way to spend a few days off. Nothing to do but eat sleep and dive. I always went with the same guys "fling/spree" and always had a great time.

[SHAGGY]

Originally Posted by ianr33

This time of year I would take my drysuit. It gets chilly doing 4 or 5 dives in one day. Everyone is different though.

Hammerheads dont care for divers bubbles and you are unlikely to get real close to them (maybe 30 feet??) Have never seen a Tiger shark and I'm O.K with that !!

Well I was thinking about taking my dry suit but I only have around 15 dives with it,...so I'm not sure I'm ready for deep ocean dives with it just yet. And from what I've read I might just wait and do a summer dive there and then I'll know what to expect come next spring.


shaggy

[Defman]

I'll preface this with, "I'm a picky diver". I wasn't overly impressed, not that much to see. Semi-crowded boat with about 20 other poeple clambering all over you got into the water, onto the hang line, etc... Since your on your own for diving you can pretty much bet someone on your trip will get bent. If you're the "any dive is a good dive" kinda guy then you will probably enjoy it. To me it was one of those "Been There, Done That!" dive trips... I'd rather save a few extra $$ and go to Cozumel.

Best tip I can offer (assuming the process hasn't changed since I went) is to leave your heavy gear in your car, only take a reg bag & small carry-on (like a shave kit) during the initial boarding. It's a shotgun start and first one to the bunk wins. Depending on what's more important to you, bunk or deck spot, run like Hell and drop an item at the first spot, then run to the other spot & claim it. THEN go get your heavy stuff out of your car.