Coral Spawn Adventure

Coral Spawn

Stetson Bank is another salt dome, pressed upwards by geological forces and reaches to within 70 feet of the ocean surface. Slightly cooler water here means the corals did not take hold as on the East and West Banks. What does that mean for divers? There’s nowhere for the animals to hide!!!

Stetson is famously sharky, and there’s absolutely no better place to go find eels. You WILL see moray eels here! The striated rocks provide hide-outs and protection for all forms of life. Just be careful, there’s a “healthy” population of fire coral here too.

This year, we’re timing our Stetson-Kraken excursion with the full moon, in an effort to catch the Madracis corals spawning at Stetson Bank. These corals release their “gametes” into the ocean currents ON the full moon, a week before the reef banks to the East put on their mass spawning event (nights 7-8-9-10 after the full moon). The magic of spawning corals, animals without brains, or eyes, is the timing, and the great hope it inspires – sending the promise of the next coral colonies drifting to find suitable locations.

In our top three dives, as reported by divers over three decades, is the night dive at Stetson Bank. It’s a real treat you won’t want to miss!

Schedule

Thursday: Joining the boat, boarding, and departure

• 7  pm divers arrive at the pier
• Divers board the boat and check in
• Departure!

Friday:

• 7am Wake-up
• Dives 1&2 at the Stetson Bank
• Dives 3-4&5 back at Stetson Bank – Find the madracis coral on dives 3&4 for the night dive looking for spawning!

Saturday:

• Wake-up at 7AM
• Dives 6&7 at the Stetson Bank
• Return at about 5:30-6PM

What’s Included

• All meals and snacks
• AL 80 cf tank
• 27-32% Nitrox
• 7 Dives (see itinerary)

What to Bring

• All your dive gear, weights, wet suit, dive light, back-up light, tank light, surface marker buoy, everything.
• A couple of towels
• Necessary medications
• Sea-sickness medication
• Personal hygiene / toiletries
• Gratuities are not included in your booking. The crew works for tips. They work hard for you, so please remember them at the end of the trip.