The FAQ page!
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Question #1
We are coming to South Padre for vactaion July 24th through July 28.
My 16 year old son is interested in scuba diving while we are there.
How would I go about getting this done for him?
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Question#2
I would like to find out about how much it costs to snorkel??
Also where we should go in Padre? We have no equipment and no experience. Thanks!
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Question#3
I am gathering information on the best places to take my family snorkling
along the Texas coast. Do you have any suggestions other then the places you
listed on your web site? Have you ever heard of a place in TX that has a
natural cove where you can snorkle with "Skates" or some close relation to
the sting rays? I would appreciate any suggestions you can give me. Thank you
for your time.
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Question #4
Hello I have a question, well I have 5 questions for you. How long does the snorkling take?
How safe is it? How much per person? What do I expect to see? and...
Are there any age requirements? Well thank you every much!
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Question#5
Hi... I got your email addy off the SPI site, and some friends and I will be
traveling down there later this summer and I had a few questions. I was
wondering what you recommened for travelers to do (restaurants, attractions,
etc). Also, I have been hearing about sharks down there. Someone told me
about an incident awhile ago, and then someone said it was in the papers
this week about a young boy who was only waist high in the water and got bit
by a shark. Are the waters safe down there? Thanks for any info!
========================================================
Question#6
i would like to know about the four wheeling optertunities on the beach.
how bad is the sand is [soft].have ford 1ton diesel can i run the beach?
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Question#7
I have a 21' Sea Pro that I fish the Gulf with out of Port Aransas. I have
started diving this year. What do you recommend for setting my boat up for
diving. It has a center console, GPS, Radio, Swim platform and ladder on the
back. I would think I'd need some dive flags, Oxygen, and a very good
medical kit. (I'm getting ready to take the course for that).
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Question#8
We would like to know what the average water temp will be in the early part of June
on the Gulf and also the bay...THanks!
===========================================================
Question#9
I will be staying in Padre from 6:00AM Wednesday the 16th through
2:00pm Monday the 21st. I want to schedule a boat dive for the Seven and one
half Fathom Reef boat dive. I just really need to know if I can make
reservations for this or if I need to schedule it when I get there. All I
really need is to know how to schedule it and what you got available between
those days so I can figure out what day I want to do it. There will be four
people in our group and we all have never done it before!
===========================================================
Question#10
There are several couples from here in southeastern New Mexico that are
thinking of visiting South Padre this summer. We all have sandrails which we
would bring if there is places to run them on the Island. Please advise as
to where the sandrails would be allowed & what type of trails/roads/offroad
places these would be. Thanks for your help.
=============================================================
Question #11
What's the real lowdown on SPI in terms of diving? Who apperates the best boat for the job?
Any good coral and underwater life. I don't expect PNG quality diving but I need some info.
I am going with a beginner so this might be good but I would like some more serious diving
if it is out there! How are the shore dives?
=============================================================
Question # 12
> I have been lobster diving off California and Mexico on the
West coast and wonder if there is any lobster diving off the South Texas
coast? I may move to Texas soon and am interested in boat trips.
Thank You,Dennis.
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Question #13
Hey Dennis I saw on Sandy Feets website that you like motocross. Me and
my dad are curently restoring three vintage motocross bikes and we have
a place down on the island and I was wondering where the best place to
ride down there was? incase we want to bring the bikes down with us next
time we come down heres a list of the three bikes we have.
1. '73 Cz Jawa 250cc MC5
2. '76 Penton 250cc MC5
3. '78 KTM 400cc MC5
================================================================
Question #14
I am thinking of going to the TexasGulf and try some jettie diving.
Me and my buddy are both PADI OW certified with 40 dives.
Neither of us have been in salt water or current conditions
and have mainly stuck to the local scuba parks,
Scuba Point at Possum Kingdom, Oasis, Athens, Terrell, Balmorrhea, Jacksboro Lake
(LOL…thought I would throw that one in to see if you are paying attention!).
We would like to do the rigs or Flower Gardens but want a little more experience under our belt first.
Any suggestions or help that you can give would be most appreciated!
===============================================================
Question #15
Under your "Best Snorkeling Spots" are listed Dolphin Cove, Mansfield Jetties
and Baracuda Bay. However, I have not been able on the websites to call up
maps locating this points. Where are they? Do you have a suggestion on
where to rent 4-wheelers to get to some of these spots?
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Question #16
Hi, i'm getting ready to sign up for scuba diving and i've done snorkling and snuba
(not to be confused with scuba diving.) diving but i just
don't know what you use the snorkle for when you scuba dive.
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Question #1
We are coming to South Padre for vactaion July 24th through July 28. My 16 year old son is interested in scuba diving while we are there. How would I go about getting this done for him?
Answer#1
While a super accelerated, one on one, all day, every day scuba class can be squezzed into 4 days, I wouldn't recommend it. There is just too much to learn in a short time. it would also be very expensive, if you could find an instructor willing to devote his time to only one student.
There is something called a "resort course" where you can take lessons in the morning and go diving with your instructor later that afternoon, but that is a one time good deal and a certification card will not be issued. If you wanted to do another "resort course" you'd have to go through the 1 day classes all over again. Also, I don't believe any shop or instructor offers this type of course here.
The Scuba Experience is something that might be possible though for your son.
This is a short dive in a swimming pool with very little training and gives the student the chance to put on the scuba gear and try it out underwater, shallow water. This is a popular activity in many dive resorts, but again I'm not sure if any shop here offers this.
Taking the full course I highly recommend. It does take some time though, but is very fun. The course length is the same with most of the certifying agencies (SSI, Naui, Padi, to name just a few) but how it is done varies.
There is the home video study course where the book/video work is done at home and then there are the pool sessions done at a nearby facilities followed by the check out dive. There are 4 to 6 Check out dives before the student graduates and receives his "C-card" .
Many classes are done in the evenings during the week and/or on the weekends. This method stretches out the classes and pool sessions to several times during the week for 2 to 4 weeks. Afterwards then there are the checkout dives. This way there is time to learn and master the necessary skills required for entering the watery world of Scuba Diving. This is my recommendation.
While your vacation may be a bit on the short side to take a scuba course there is another alternative, snorkeling. We have several places here that offer this. Snorkeling is a great way to prepare for Scuba. All the skills you use here will be utilized in the Scuba Class. Many scuba divers have many more hours logged snorkeling that scubadiving. It seems that things go full circle sometimes and snorkelers/scuba divers turn into freedivers which is more physically challenging (and takes much less gear).
Personally, I take my mask,fins and snorkel almost everwhere I travel to. I never know where I'll find an interesting body of water to go and check out. Scuba and snorkeling is all about adventure and everyplace is different and unique. Many people only want the "Caribbean" experience, but there is so much more than that available. Streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, bays, all make very interesting experiences. Different fish, different landscapes, and different stories to tell!
When you get here, go to the Visitors Bureau and pick up some brochures. One place offers a catamaran
sailing/snorkeling cruise ....... Don't forget to take a sandcastle lesson when you first get here!
Question#2
I would like to find out about how much it costs to snorkel?? Also where we should go in Padre? We have no equipment and no experience. Thanks!
Answere#2
I recommend taking a snorkeling course from one of the many sports centers here.
One place that sounds cool to me is a sailing/snorkeling combo trip aboard the "Southern Wave" Catamaran. Also there is a Scuba Diving shop called American Diving that gives classes and has equipment. Check out the visitors bureau when you get here for brochures.
Snorkeling is a very easy sport to learn using minimal equipment and can be enjoyed in most watery places on the planet, so it is an idea lifetime sport. Snorkeling can span the spectrum from very easy to quite adventursome. Free divers decend to depth of hundreds of feet on a single breath of air, hardcore spear fisherman freedive to 100 feet as well. But most of us enjoy just floating at the surface, relaxed, and watching and feeding the colorful fish.
Another great activity that goes well with snorkeling is kayaking.
A kayak will get you places difficult to get to by any other means.
It will also provide safety from other boat traffic as you snorkel.
Just hang on to the bow rope while snorkeling, it's easy!
Question#3
I am gathering information on the best places to take my family snorkling
along the Texas coast. Do you have any suggestions other then the places you
listed on your web site? Have you ever heard of a place in TX that has a
natural cove where you can snorkle with "Skates" or some close relation to
the sting rays? I would appreciate any suggestions you can give me. Thank you
for your time.
Answer#3
Sorry, I don't know of a place here in texas where you can swim with rays like they do in the Caymans.
S. Padre is probably your best bet for snorkeling here in texas though. I didn't mention that using a kayak in the bay, or any of these places mentioned for snorkeling on my website is a super way of getting around. Also it makes a safer enviroment from the boat traffic
Question #4
Hello I have a question, well I have 5 questions for you. How long does the snorkling take? How safe is it? How much per person? What do I expect to see? and... Are there any age requirements? Well thank you every much!
Answer#4
I'd recommend taking a snorkeling course before you venture out for the first time.
It is easy and fun to do. Bring a friend.
Safety?: It is safer than driving your car, That's for sure!
There are many places to snorkel, some safer than others.
Taking a snorkeling course and going with an experienced local guide sure makes it nice.
How Much?: Once you have your own mask, fins and snorkel it's free! Once you are comfortable with your gear, your abilities and the environment you can go just about anywhere. Now there are places in the world, certain parks, that will charge you, but that is rare. Or if you take a guided snorkeling trip or a boat, sure that will cost something.
See?: Wow! You just never know! Depending where you go will determine what you might see.
But you will see fish and other sea life, that I guarantee.
Having an experienced guide along can really help find some of the more shy creatures.
I also recommend having a fish ID book.
And if you are coming to S.Padre, go to the Coastal Studies Lab at Isla Blanca Park
and see the fish and other creatures in the aquariums before and after your snorkeling.
Age?: Any age!
Where to go?:
Try Southern Wave Sailing Charters for a sailing and snorkeling combo experience
956-772-sail (7245) http://www.horsesonthebeach.com
Or American Diving for instruction http://www.divesouthpadre.com/
or the Scuba Shack for instruction http://www.thescubashack.com/
have you been to my website? http://www.spionline.com/dive/index.html
I hope this gets you started!
Question#5
Hi... I got your email addy off the SPI site, and some friends and I will be
traveling down there later this summer and I had a few questions. I was
wondering what you recommened for travelers to do (restaurants, attractions,
etc). Also, I have been hearing about sharks down there. Someone told me
about an incident awhile ago, and then someone said it was in the papers
this week about a young boy who was only waist high in the water and got bit
by a shark. Are the waters safe down there? Thanks for any info!
Answer#5
We have plenty of Restaurants and attractions, enough for everybody!
Everyone has their own idea of what fun is ......
Some are into fine food, shopping and massages,
others like the hunting and fishing lifestyle,
some like the nite life, bars, bands and concerts
and some like to golf
and then there are the sun, sand and beach types.
Maybe you are a combination of all of them?
How much time do you have?
You can find out more about all of these at
http://www.spionline.com
For places to stay I recommend booking a room from here:
http://www.spionline.com/accmdtns/lodginghm.html
As for restaurants, my favorite for breakfast is "Ted's"
and dinner is " Blackbeard's".
As for your rumor of sharks ......
must be from somewhere else!
Besides, while there are sharks both big and small all over the world
hardly ever are they a problem, especially here.
We mostly have the small types here, but for some reason just the word "shark"
scares most people.
Our biggest worry here is too much seaweed (from the spring, which is now gone)
and jellyfish and stingrays, (which happens every now and then)
Sharks? Is the very least of our concerns!
The poor sharks just have a bad name. Personally, I like to Scuba dive with them!
Question#6
i would like to know about the four wheeling optertunities on the beach. how bad is the sand is [soft].have ford 1ton diesel can i run the beach?
Answer #6
Presently we are allowed to run along between the surf's edge and the first
sand dunes from just north of town all the way to the port mansfield cut (a
distance of about 25 miles). No riding is allowed in the sand dunes.
2 wheel drive is ok during certain conditions near by , but 4 wheel is
essential for longer drives.
Staying along the water's edge where the sand is hard packed is the best place
to be during low tide, but don't be caught up north with a high tide that will
force you into the softer sand while running with your 1 ton..
Question#7
I have a 21' Sea Pro that I fish the Gulf with out of Port Aransas. I have
started diving this year. What do you recommend for setting my boat up for
diving. It has a center console, GPS, Radio, Swim platform and ladder on the
back. I would think I'd need some dive flags, Oxygen, and a very good
medical kit. (I'm getting ready to take the course for that).
Answer#7
Yup. those things you mentioned are good ones to have. Another great thing to have is good surface support. If you own the boat, capt the boat, deck hand the boat, and also want to dive from the boat, does that leave anyone knowledgeable on deck while everyone else is down below? Jumping into the water with no one on board is a scary thing to do! I know the problem with a small boat all too well, even a larger boat tends to have this problem! Everyone wants to dive! Using a second anchor, or second line tied to the bottom structure sure gives some insurance, but its nothing like having a capt. on board. Another nice thing to have is a tag line trailing off the back of the boat, just in case there is current. You said you'd be diving in the gulf? The gulf is a sea of rivers and the rivers change course, even while you are diving! A down line is also a good thing to use. The anchor line can sometimes serve the same purpose. Will you be doing deep dives? hanging a tank and regulator over the side at your safety stop is another safe bet. You always do a safety stop don't you? I always like to drop a rope with a clip on it over the side so I can attach things just at or under the surface. It comes in handy when getting back on the boat or jumping in with spearguns etc. Knowing how to get in and out of your gear (BC) while in the water is another good skill to be good at, and you will get plenty of practice diving with your own boat. Sometimes you will be the first at the surface to get into the boat. Most of the time you will want to be there first to help your other dive buddies as they get there. This is where the line in the water comes in. It secures your gear while you are climbing onboard. Once there, you can get your gear and then everyone else's. Sound like a lot of work? It all becomes second nature after awhile. I know I didn't mention much in the way of equipment, but I did mention skills and procedures and making the equipment you have work for you. A short paragraph like I wrote will not replace the many advanced classes you can take, and not even classes can replace real live practice. Nothing can replace good ol' common sense. If the conditions don't look good, one of your other divers is having problems with the conditions, go with the saying I live by: Better safe than stupid (or dead). There is always another day to dive! One last suggestion, keep a detailed journal of your diving experiences. What I mean here is short stories. This will help you to recap everything you did, and help you ID and fix problems that you encountered. It also serves as a great reference to next year's diving and makes great reading for your friends! (and other new divers). It sound like you are on your way to being a good "Dive Master", Enjoy!
Question#8
We would like to know what the average water temp will be in the early part of June on the Gulf and also the bay...THanks!
Hummm, water temp? good question.
There are places that record this type of data
and you can see the links below for detailed info about the temps.
I can give you another type of report:
Note: I don't record this type of data, just what to wear for a certain activity.
In the bay, since it is much shallower and less volume than the gulf, will heat and cool more quickly.
In june expect the water to be just wonderful with no wetsuits required for any watersports.
In the gulf, the surface temps are again, like the bay, just wonderful. Maybe a bit cooler.
There is an upwelling of cooler water that happens during the summer and the links below
will be able to show you when that happens.
If you are snorkeling, a shorty wetsuit is nice to have. Especially if you like free diving.
For surfing, no suit is required.
For scuba, a 1/8 full suit or a 1/8 shorty is fine at 80'.
I hope I was able to answer your question!
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/images/climplot/42020_as.gif
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=42020
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/WestGulf.shtml
http://www.nws.fsu.edu/buoy/gom.html
http://www.gerg.tamu.edu/Tglo/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
http://www.noaa.gov/
Question#9
Dear Dennis,
I will be staying in Padre from 6:00AM Wednesday the 16th through
2:00pm Monday the 21st. I want to schedule a boat dive for the Seven and one
half Fathom Reef boat dive. I just really need to know if I can make
reservations for this or if I need to schedule it when I get there. All I
really need is to know how to schedule it and what you got available between
those days so I can figure out what day I want to do it. There will be four
people in our group and we all have never done it before!
Hello Sarah, and greetings from s.padre island, tx.
7 1/2 fathom reef is a cool place. It is close to shore, so the blue water has to be in pretty close for it to be good. It is in the direction of the oil rigs though, so if the reef doesn't look good, the rigs would be the place to head to. (just in case) I know of three dive operators that could do the job and will forward your request on to them so you can get detailed info from each.
Aquatically yours,
Dennis Barrett
SandStorm Productions
S. Padre Island, Texas
http://sandslave.com
http://compuflow.com
http://losfresnosmotocrosspark.com
http://www.spionline.com/dive/index.html
PS: And remember the SOB pledge:
Have Fun! Help others have Fun! And UNLITTER !
http://unlitter.com/
Question#10
There are several couples from here in southeastern New Mexico that are
thinking of visiting South Padre this summer. We all have sandrails which we
would bring if there is places to run them on the Island. Please advise as
to where the sandrails would be allowed & what type of trails/roads/offroad
places these would be. Thanks for your help.
Hi Carl, and greetings from S.Padre Island , Texas
Ah yes, there's no other feeling like dune riding. Unfortunately, for you, me and others, our choices
for offroad riding is rapidly getting squeezed out of existence. See my webpages at:
http://www.sandslave.com/othertrips/endoftheroad/index.htm
http://www.sandslave.com/motorcycles/firebike/firebike.html
http://www.sandslave.com/othertrips/beachblaze1/index.html
At the last link above, shows my dirt bike sitting next to my trailer.
Later that evening, while it was dark and we were cooking dinner, a park police truck slowly cruises
north along the narrow strip of beach that we all use as a road. With his search lights on, spots my bike
sitting behind the trailer and proceeds to give me shit about riding here on the beach. He has only
started working here less than a year ago, maybe he's mistaken, but I wasn't about to argue with him
then and there, maybe in court if need be some day though. So is he right about all vehicles being street
legal on the beach? I doubt it.
Can we ride in the dunes? Not any more. Not with out becoming an outlaw anyway. I guess I'm just
an outlaw these days! If you do ride in the dunes, be careful. Hide your tow vehicles from sight, ride
where you won't be seen, be invisible. I hate how our lands are being closed off and someday there will only be private riding parks like MotoCross parks. I wish I had better news for you! Sorry. But as you can see, we can still drive on the beach, fish, camp and explore, even nude sunbath! But if some get their way, no one will even be able to get to that part of the world anymore. We just have to fight back!
Dennis,
Thanks for the info. Not exactly the answer I was hopeing for, but good to know restrictions before making the trip. I am certainly in agreement that we have to fight to protect what limited space we have left or we will have none. Thanks again for sharing your info & pictures. Still want to visit Padre someday, but probably not this summer.
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Question #11
What's the real lowdown on SPI in terms of diving? Who apperates the best boat for the job? Any good coral and underwater life. I don't expect PNG quality diving but I need some info. I am going with a beginner so this might be good but I would like some more serious diving if it is out there! How are the shore dives?
Thanks Dennis.
Hello John, and greetings from s.padre island
My recommendation for a dive with your beginner dive buddy would be the "rigs".
It's a long boat ride, and this time of year, the farther out you go, the better the chance of getting good vis.
This is a very iffy time of year for diving, but if you don't go then you are sure to miss out.
If you've never dove an oil rig before, you are in for a treat.
This dive is exciting and can be enjoyed by all levels of divers,
all in the same place, at the same time. Even non divers can can have fun here.
When approaching a "normal" dive site,
nothing sets it apart from the rest of the unmarked ocean.
When traveling to an oil rig, it's easy to spot the site.
Starting from a spot on the horizon,
up till you tie off the boat,
the rig is the focus of the trip
and has already been a rewarding adventure, but it's just beginning.
Like an ice burg, this is just the tip,
with the bulk of the adventure down below
out of sight of the shy, scared and timid
only the divers can enjoy this realm.
From the surface, and down to the bottom, and everywhere in-between
there is something to see, explore and experience.
Sometimes there is current ..... waves ...... or bad vis .......
but there is always fish! Some small, some Big!
But the reason you are here, and the reason the fish are here,
is because of the rig. An underwater skyscraper.
To view this structure, with all the types of fish all around
is something you will never forget.
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Question # 12
> I have been lobster diving off California and Mexico on the
West coast and wonder if there is any lobster diving off the South Texas
coast? I may move to Texas soon and am interested in boat trips.
Thank You,Dennis.
Lobster Diving is big is some places, but unfortunately it isn't here.
I have found, and captured only one little critter.
"Lyle the Lobster" made it from one aquarium to another,
and then to another ... all the way up to the big time ... SeaWorld!
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Question #13
Bryan wrote:
Hey Dennis I saw on Sandy Feets website that you like motocross. Me and
my dad are curently restoring three vintage motocross bikes and we have
a place down on the island and I was wondering where the best place to
ride down there was? incase we want to bring the bikes down with us next
time we come down heres a list of the three bikes we have.
1. '73 Cz Jawa 250cc MC5
2. '76 Penton 250cc MC5
3. '78 KTM 400cc MC5
Hello Bryan,
Riding the sand is not what it used to be, here on s.padre.
While the beach and the dunes are ever changing, they are still the same.
It's the laws that become the problem ...... ever changing, but still the same.
Riding bikes has always been an "outlaw" activity to many of the lame and normal world
and it's only a matter of time till the "do-gooders" rule us into total outlaws.
We've been hearing for years that that riding in the dunes is illegal ....
now "they" are doing something about it.
When you drive onto the beach at access (6 or 7) there is now a sign posted. No ATVs.
About a year ago, I was camped on the beach, cooking dinner after the sun had set.
It was dark, except for the light of my fire.
A police truck slowly approached up the beach with his search light on, looking for something.
He took a good long look at my camp and saw my XR behind my enclosed 5x8 trailer.
I wasn't on it, I wasn't riding it, (at that time), but he decided to hassle me anyway
and proceeded to tell me the law. He was a new cop, working about a year .....
He told me if it wasn't street legal, I couldn't have it on the beach. (yeah, right)
Not even to just ride up and down the beach, let alone ride the dunes .....
Now when I go there to ride, I stay out of sight.
I don't ride when anyone can see me.
I park where no one can see my truck.
My trailer is enclosed and with no markings, no one can tell what is inside it.
My beach riding is a covert activity nowadays ......
I try to be a legal eagle, but I'm not gonna give up my lifestyle for these tea-toterlers!
Now I do have my streel legal DR350S I can run out there ......
Besides, why do you want to put a vintage bike on the sand anyway?
If they are beatup I can see it, but if they are in good shape .....
We have several other place to ride here in the valley.
The "port" is my first recommendation.
On hwy 48 coming from the island into brownsville,
just before you reach the shrimp basin there is an access to the left near a gas pipe.
If you reach the 4 lane section of road infront of the shrimp basin, you went too far.
The port has several old style, natural terrain, mx tracks. Perfect for your vintage bikes.
Many riders go there on the weekends and after work. Try it, you'll like it!
We also have several MX tracks ...... Los Fresnos, Harlingen, McAllen and Edinburg,
and you can check out the Los Fresnos MX website I put together for more info .....
http://losfresnosmotocrosspark.com
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Question #14
I am thinking of going to the TexasGulf and try some jettie diving.Me and my buddy are both PADI OW certified with 40 dives.Neither of us have
been in salt water or current conditions and have mainly stuck to the local scuba parks, Scuba Point at Possum Kingdom, Oasis, Athens, Terrell,
Balmorrhea, Jacksboro Lake (LOL…thought I would throw that one in to see if you are paying attention!).We would like to do the rigs or Flower
Gardens but want a little more experience under our belt first.Any suggestions or help that you can give would be most appreciated!
Answer #14
Certainly a shore dive for starters is a good beginning.
You can check your weights and get used to the salt water.
You can go at exactly your pace and take your time,
unlike jumping off a boat and keeping up with others ....
The big difference between lakes and the sea though is what you have to watch out for. Current!
Sometimes it's there, sometime it's not, but always must be respected. (and can always change)
Diving at the Jetties can be good, if the vis is ok, but normally it's pretty poor.
It is one of my personal favorites though .......
At our jetties, my suggestion would be to go out 1/2 way or to the end, staying away from the fishermen.
You can either walk out, being very careful, or take a boat. Pick a day when the seas are pretty flat.
A kayak also works well ..... and don't dive in the channel side, at least til you understand the tides.
Entry into the water from the jetties can be tricky with all the gear.
Go slow, taking small steps and go into the water slowly.
Things can get a bit slippery at the water's edge.
The other big concern is the sea urchins that grow around the rocks ..... don't bump into them!
Other than that you should have smooth sailing.
The current is never all that bad, even when the tides are going in or out.
The Channel side is a different story though,
and the very tip of the jetties can get tricky when the tide is ripping.
Another big concern is fisherman's lines ...... then there's the various sea life .....
A trip to the "Coastal Studies Lab" at Isla Blanca County Park would be a good stop
before you hit the water.
There you can learn about what not to mess with and what to avoid and watch out for .....
like the "Rock fish", jelly fish, and the man-o-war ....
A trip there after your dive might also be in order to help ID
some of the other interesting critters you'll see!
Another suggestion before you hit the water at the jetties with scuba gear is to go snorkeling there first.
You can learn a lot this way and still have a lot of fun.
For offshore diving we have the "artificial reef", the Liberty ships and the oil rigs.
The artificial reef on the US/Mexico border is a short boat ride and if you get seasick,
not too far away from home.
Everything else is quite a way away if you happen to get sick .......
the boat will not turn around and go home.
The rigs make a great dive for both advanced and beginners, but it's the farthest of our trips ....
The liberty ships tend to be more of an advanced dive ......
but all are quite the adventure!
Each place is different, all must be respected and a good local dive master can help you enjoy the trip.
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Question #15
Under your "Best Snorkeling Spots" are listed Dolphin Cove, Mansfield Jetties
and Baracuda Bay. However, I have not been able on the websites to call up
maps locating this points. Where are they? Do you have a suggestion on
where to rent 4-wheelers to get to some of these spots?
Answer #15:
My best all around recommendation for snorkeling is to bring a kayak.
This useful craft can really make your adventure!
For one, it can get you to places like you mentioned, easily.
And second, for safety reasons, will keep other boats and wave runners back.
Also you can carry water, snacks, one time use waterproof cameras, fishing pole, etc.
When snorkeling, just hold on to the bow line ..... it will follow you around!
Now, as for getting to these spots ....
I don't have a map ready for this presently, but maybe this will help
http://www.spionline.com/features/maps.html
Dolphin Cove is easy to drive to.
It is at the very most southern point on the island inside what is called Isla Blanca County Park.
If you go to the Dolphin Cove Oyster Bar it is right there.
Actually, the entire jetties there are interesting to check out.
Across the channel is barracuda bay .... nice sandy beach and an old pier from way back.
You can kayak over to it or take the long drive with your car to the port of brownsville,
then over to Boca Chica beach, drive north along the surf till you come to the jetties again.
Walk over to barracuda bay and put in by the sandy beach.
Another cool place to go is (while you are over there)
is to instead of heading north when you hit the beach,
is to go south to the outlet of the Rio Grande River and the US/Mexico border.
The Mansfield jetties is another all day trip ....
I'd recommend a 4 wheel drive for this!
It's 25 miles up the north beach ....
a very cool trip ... lots to see and do ...
climb sand dunes, check out what has washed ashore,
explore the mansfield jetties back to the bay ...
fish from the jetties there .....
Another place to go, much easier to get to is the convention center flats.
There is some tidal flats just north of the convention center,
the last building on the left when heading north.
Again, having a kayak here is recommended.
Check these place to rent gear:
Uncle Buggies Beach Buggy Rentals 956-761-6162
Windsurf the Boatyard 956-761-5061
http://www.windsurftheboatyard.com/
Windsurf Inc. 956-761-1434
http://www.windsurfinc.com/
http://www.spionline.com/
but before you head into the water I'd recommend a trip to the coastal studies lab
located inside Isla Blanca park. Find out what you are about to see, and what to watch out for!
http://www.panam.edu/dept/csl/csl.html
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Question #16
Hi, i'm getting ready to sign up for scuba diving and i've done snorkling and snuba
(not to be confused with scuba diving.) diving but i just
don't know what you use the snorkle for when you scuba dive.
Answer #16
The snorkel is a very important piece of your scuba gear.
Of course you can't use it while underwater, but on the surface is a different matter.
Most people want to conserve their tank air for underwater and not waste it at the surface.
On a dive, you will spend a good deal of the time at the surface ....
at the beginning and end of your dives.
At the beginning of a dive, you are normally waiting for your dive buddy,
waiting for others to get into the water, waiting for someone who forgot something in the boat,
or forgot to turn on their tank valve .....etc., etc, .... mostly waiting!
There are other reasons also why you want a snorkel at the beginning of a dive ...
sometimes you have to do a surface swim before you want to submerge,
no sense in wasting valuable tank air for that!
Maybe you are performing some sort of boat tie off duties,
normally at the surface, like at a buoy .....
And another great reason to use a snorkel before you dive is to just relax!
Getting into the water sometimes gets your breathing pretty rapid.
Using a snorkel, you can control your breathing to a nice slow and steady rate,
before using that precious tank air!
Then there is the end of the dive ......
and say you for a very bad reason, ran out of air!
Here you are at the surface, with all this gear on, and a good ways away from the boat.
Maybe you can swim for it?
It is sure easier when your head is submerged while breathing on that snorkel!
The effort required keeping your head above the surface, over time, can really tax you.
The good ol'trusty snorkel will take good care of you.
There are other pieces of snorkeling/scuba gear in addition to the trusty snorkel
that when all combined together will keep you and your dive buddy safe,
just incase little things go wrong, or worse!
In your scuba class you will learn all about these things and more!
If you like there are other courses you can take, beyond the initial course (Open Water 1)
There's Open Water 2 and Rescue Diving, (I highly recommend)
and there's many speciality courses, like night diving, spearfishing, deep diving and wreck diving.
And with these speciality dives comes speciality gear, (just as important as the snorkel),
like flash lights (at least 2), spearguns and game bags, pony bottles and spare air, reels and a compass,...
just to name a few!
This is a sport where you have to take care of yourself.
With good operational gear you will be able to do this.
You are playing with your life here, take good care of yourself!
I hope I answered your question well enough
to show the importance of just a small item of your snorkeling/scuba gear.
Be safe, and have fun!
