Snorkeling turtle reef north of the Deerfield Beach Pier

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/3/c/6/event_58345542.jpegThis is a free event. You just pay for your parking and bring or rent your own gear.

Please check your email by 8:30am morning of the event to make sure we are a go due to weather and surf conditions that can cause this event to be canceled.

Directions:

Parking in Deerfield - take 95 to Hillsbough and head east. Go over the intercoastal make a left and the parking garage is your next immediate left. Walk to the beach and head north to the meeting spot. It's about a 5-10 minute walk.I recommend you park in Deerfield Beach at the parking garage and walk north from the pier less than ¼ of a mile.

Alternatively you can walk along A1A and take the beach access opposite 7th street (next beach access after JB's restaurant)

You will see 4 tall white or off white apartment buildings. We will meet in the middle of the SECOND building north of the pier.

The site is an artificial reef of giant boulder like structures (you can clearly see them from space using Google Earth - very cool).

If you park at South Inlet Park Direction

From South inlet park. Go to the beach and walk South about 1/2 mile, it is a LONG walk (20-25 minutes) . You will see three identical white apartment buildings. We will set up shop at the south end of the second building.

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We will swim out about 150 feet so you need to bring a dive flag or just join a group and stay within 50 feet of a dive flag. We will buddy up at the beach so no worries if you don't have a flag with you.

You will see sea turtles all over the place, eels, sea urchins, very large puffer fish, and tons of other tropical fish, schooling fish and other sea life including two local nurse sharks (no worries, no teeth). This reef is in about 6-12 feet of water. The reef is often used by glass bottom boat tours because they are so colorful and full of amazing sea life.

Afterwards we may get lunch at a local restaurant. Maybe JB's. Please plan to arrive by 10:00 am you will need about 10 minutes to walk to the location from Deerfield, about 20-25 minutes to walk there from South Inlet Park. We will be entering the water promptly at 10:15.

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Parking (NO NEED FOR QUARTERS but the parking garage is $10.00 so you may want to carpool)

I f you need to rent equipment I recommend Dixie Divers of Deerfield Beach- 455 South Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL - (954) 420-0009. They are just south of Hillsborough Blvd on US -1 on the west side of the road (5 or 6 blocks). Come early if you are going to rent, they get backed up if they have a lot of people.

If you decide to buy brand new equipment: Print out a copy of this invite and bring it to Dixie Divers and they will offer you a 15% discount on all equipment purchases for meetup members.

Hints for purchasing equipment:

To make sure your mask fits place it on the front of your face without the strap on your head and inhale through your nose. If the mask sticks then it fit you. If is falls off, try a different brand it's not sealing to your face. When you get home make sure to scrub out the inside of your mask with regular good old fashioned tooth paste. This removes left over silicon from the manufacturing process and will help to keep your mask from fogging. Always remember to either use "defog" or spit in your mask and rub it around, then dunk it in the ocean once before starting to swim. This will prevent your mask from fogging while your enjoying the sea life.

As usual, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call Craig at 561-573-6516 or email me at craig@crossgenav.com

And PLEASE CALL IF YOU CAN'T FIND US!!!

I hope to see everyone there!

Thanks,

Craig

Directions to South Inlet Park. From the North 95 to Palmetto Park road east to A1A (ocean blvd) A1A south. Just after Camino Real Road the park will be on your left. From the South 95 to Hillsbough east Take it to A1A (ocean blvd) and turn north. You will pass the Deerfield beach pier and then after a bunch of Apartment the park will be on your right just after you enter the city of Boca Raton.