January 2, 2015
Homosassa Springs forms the headwaters for the Homosassa River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico about 12 km away. Just south of Crystal River, it is the only other place where you can legally interact with the endangered Manatee. The two places offer a different experience.
January 1, 2015.
Blue Grotto divepark is located in Williston, north-central Florida, in the heart of spring and cave country. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Crystal River, and a perfect way to end the day after snorkeling with the Manatees. It boasts to be the largest fresh water cavern in Florida and also among the safest, with only open-water certification required. Its relaxing topside, natural beauty, interesting aquatic life, and thrilling (but safe) cavern, make it one dive you don’t want to miss.
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December 31, 2014
Crystal River is located in west central Florida, about an hour and twenty minutes drive North of Tampa. It’s only one of two places north of Belize (along with Homosassa) where you can legally interact with the endangered West Indian Manatee. Snorkeling with these gentle giants is an unforgettable experience that you will feel just as much as see. I can think of no other aquatic animal as endearing and engaging as a Manatee.
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Nov.23, 2014
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(October 25, 2014)
It’s late October and diving is rapidly winding down here in Ontario. Still need a fix? Visit Ripley’s Aquarium – it’s the next best thing to being there. Better yet, get wet with the Stingrays. Here’s how a Behind the Scenes Tour & Stingray Experience goes.
(September 27, 2014)
Timing is everything in the late summer on the Great Lakes. It tends to be windy as the temperature difference between the land and water is at its greatest. I had two charters cancelled. But last weekend I took advantage of some nice weather at the last minute, and put together a charter for Saturday afternoon. Except a late first morning group, and a first response to a Mayday call almost derailed that plan too.
Aug 2-3, 2014
Lake George is a prime resort area located in upstate New York, in the Adirondack Mountains. Looking at it today- with all of its tourists, boaters and select resorts-its difficult to imagine it as the focal point of a desperate struggle between France and Britain for Empire, during a time period called the French & Indian War (1755-1763). This was the time and place that inspired James Coopers’ famous novel “The Last of the Mohicans”. Hidden beneath its waves from casual view is a time capsule from that very time period- “North America’s oldest intact warship”. (more…)
July 15-18, 2014
On the second part of our trip we went looking specifically for the bigger animals that Rangiroa is famous for: sharks, manta rays, marlin, dolphins, and huge schools of barracuda and Jacks. And we did see them all, including a Lemon, Tiger, Silvertips, and plenty of Grey Reef sharks.
July 11-13, 2014.
Every year, around the full moon of July, one of the greatest shows on Earth unfolds. Groupers gather by the thousands to spawn in the passes. Of course, all of this activity draws out numerous hungry predators from sharks to smaller fishes.
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July 11-13, 2014
Sometimes to get the best diving you have to go further, endure longer flights, and do without the creature comforts that we all take for granted. Fakarava was that kind of trip. I joined a phototour with Scott Geitler’s Bluewater Photo, specifically to photograph schooling Grey Reef sharks (Part 1). It is reputedly one of the best places in the world to see this. And as a bonus, the timing was chosen to coincide with the annual Grouper spawning event (Part 2). On the second part of the trip, we dove four days at Rangiroa.