Diving on the Treasure Coast can be surprisingly rewarding in November, provided an eye is kept on approaching weather systems. Even though air temperatures tend to be cooler after passing fronts, many locals consider this to be one of the best times of the year to dive. Plentiful lobster, big grouper and less traffic on area reefs make November a great time to hit the water.
With the traditional summer dive season over, many are shocked to hear that diving is great in to the late fall and winter months. While it’s true air temperatures may start to cool a bit, water temperatures tend to lag behind remaining warm well into the winter. Warm water from the Caribbean brought north by the Gulf Stream tends to stay warm in to January making for nice conditions beneath the surface. Jackets and dry clothes after the dive can help divers can stay warm after getting out of the water if air temps are cool.
Lobster hunters and spearfishermen know this time of year can be very productive too with bag limits common on many dives. Lobsters are usually more plentiful and easier to find this time of year since fewer divers are making it offshore. Rough seas common during cold fronts also tend to move lobster around making them easier to find in areas like Peck Lake south of the St. Lucie Inlet, Bathtub Beach or the shallow reefs north of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Grouper season remains open through the end of the year on the east coast of Florida and spearfishermen should notice more gag and black grouper moving into area waters ahead of the annual spawning season. In rare cases, grouper have been known to school up after a big swell and approach divers in the water column as they descend!
November has a lot to offer divers who get a chance to make it offshore between cool fronts. Those who do, may be in for an unexpected treat!
FORECAST BY: Steve Wood
Deep Six Watersports – Stuart
(772) 288-3999 Stuart
(772) 562-2883 Vero
Email: Steve.wood@deepsix.com
Website: www.deepsixintl.com
[easy-social-share]
