We had one of our biggest groups of divers go out Saturday, July 26th to dive Neptune Memorial Reef and RJ’s Ledge off of Key Biscayne. The day was beautiful, the afternoon dive made getting to the boat easy, and the waters were calm, if not a little bit murky. Thanks to instructor member and trip leader Eric Taylor for putting this together and making sure everyone had what they needed for an enjoyable dive.

Both dive sites were between 25 and 40 feet of depth, with some divers getting over 45 minute dives off of their tanks. Notable sightings were the biggest nurse shark we had ever seen and the biggest hermit crabs! It may not sound impressive at first, but if you could have seen the size of the shells these monster hermits were dragging around, you would have mad respect, too!

Neptune Memorial Reef is impressive in itself, as the creators have tried to build a new Atlantis, with beautiful statues, columns and structures that have become encrusted with corals and sponges. Those structures support a large population of resident snappers and grunts. It is also, of course, a place for loved ones to place the ashes of their dearly departed.

The most famous person buried at Neptune Memorial Reef is celebrated chef Julia Child, who died in 2004. Her cremated remains were incorporated into the memorial, which is located three miles off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida. The reef serves as a unique underwater cemetery, housing the remains of over 125,000 people, each memorialized by a star-shaped plaque. 

As Out Scuba continues to grow and has members of so many different levels of experience, we are looking forward to the day when we can rent the whole boat out. (We got about halfway to that number this weekend.) If you’re already a member, thank you! If you are thinking about joining, please do it! Joining Out Scuba may be the best thing you’ve done for yourself in a long while. I mean, look at these happy divers!