The Flower Gardens were declared a National Marine Sanctuary in 1991 with Stetson Bank being added a few years later. There is currently talk of further expanding the sanctuary to include other adjacent areas of marine activity. This sanctuary is the northermost natural coral reef in North America. The coral reefs are growing on the tops of ancient salt domes with the largest covering approximately 350 acres. The reef is extremely healthy due, in part, to it's isolation from shoreline pollutants. Visibility averages 100 feet and frequently exceeds that number. Proximity to deep offshore waters means frequent visits from large pelagics such as whale sharks, rough tailed stingrays, grouper, manta rays and sea turtles. Killer Whales (Orca) have even been spotted on the Flower Gardens!! Smaller tropical species such as angel fish, parrot fish, lobsters, crabs, moray eels, wrasses, mantis shrimp and numerous other species are constant residents of the reefs. Most of the corals are of the knobby, boulder and plate variety with several coral heads as large as small cars. Several species of sponges are also present. You will also have the opportunity to dive one of the deep offshore oil platforms. These are spectacular vertical reefs and are teeming with all sorts of marine life including sponges, oysters and thousands of marine fish and invertebrates.
A brief description of the two boats follows:
M/V Fling. The Fling is a 100 foot aluminum hulled dedicated dive boat and carries 30 divers and a crew of 6. The boat is fully air-conditioned, provides private bunks for divers (all linens supplied) and has a full galley with hot meals prepared three times per day with snacks in between meals. There are three heads (bathrooms) on the boat with one fully enclosed shower and two dive deck showers. The boat has a full entertainment system, large movie selection and satellite television available in the main salon. It has a dedicated camera table with dedicated rinse tanks and 110 volt charging stations. Air and Nitrox tanks are provided for all divers. Air and Nitrox are supplied by on-board compressors. While air is included in the trip cost, Nitrox incurs an additional cost depending on the length of the trip. All divers are expected to bring all necessary dive gear. Computers are highly recommended due to the depth, duration and frequency of dives.
M/V Spree. The Spree is a 100 foot aluminum hulled dedicated dive boat and carries 24 divers and a crew of 7. The boat is fully air-conditioned, provides private bunks for divers (all linens supplied) and has a galley with hot meals prepared three times per day with snacks in between meals. There are four heads (bathrooms) on the boat with two fully enclosed showers and two dive deck showers. The boat has a fully digital entertainment system, large movie selection and a library of books. It has a dedicated, expanded camera table with separate dedicated rinse tanks for both cameras and dive gear. There is a 110 volt charging system. Air and Nitrox tanks are provided for all divers. Air and Nitrox are supplied by on-board compressors. Both air and Nitrox are included in the trip cost. All divers are expected to bring all necessary dive gear. Computers are highly recommended due to the depth, duration and frequency of dives.
What To Bring. Divers are expected to bring all dive gear, including a regulator with pressure and depth gauge (or computer) an alternate air source, BC, dive lights, exposure protection and weights (unless flying). Limited weights are available on the boat. DO NOT bring spearguns or fishing equipment. Pack all gear in a dive bag which will remain stowed under your dive station on the dive deck throughout the trip. Pack a change of clothes and a towel in a separate bag which will be stowed under your bunk and will remain dry. Appropriate clothing consists of shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits, hats, sunglasses and deck shoes (unless you like to go barefooted on the carpeted decks throughout the boat). All food and sports drinks are provided as a part of your trip. Please do not bring ice chests or food.
Cancellations. Cancellations due to mechanical or weather problems will be reimbursed on a scale depending on the number of dives afforded. Refund policies vary according to the boat so please check with the Spree's booking site or this shop if booking on the Fling. Our common goal is to provide a quality experience and we will do everything in our power to accommodate individual needs. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended if flying into Houston for this trip since weather cancellations are not made until noon of the day of departure and some travellers may be in the air at that time. DAN trip insurance is available on Mike's Dive Center website under the DAN logo.
Departure Times. Divers need to be on the dock by 8 p.m. on the day of departure. For Saturday-Sunday trips, the departure day is Friday evening. For Thursday-Friday trips, the departure day is Wednesday evening. Please check your dates carefully to be sure you don't miss the boat!! The dates of the trip are the actual diving dates so departure is the evening before the beginning trip date.
Directions. Maps and driving directions are available from Mike's Dive Center and also from the websites for the individual boats. There are no shuttles from the airport to the dock in Freeport. This distance can be over 70 miles, depending on the airport used. A rental car may be necessary depending on your individual circumstance.
We're Here For YOU!! We will do everything in our power to ensure the success of your trip and to provide a lasting and pleasant memory of your adventure. Please don't hesitate to contact the shop for any questions you may have or if you need help with booking or other arrangements.
NOTE: Sat-Sun trips will depart on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. Be on the dock by 8:00 p.m. to unload gear and park vehicles. Thu-Fri trips will depart on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. Be on the dock by 8:00 p.m. to unload gear and park vehicles. All trips will return to port around 6:00 p.m. on the last day of the trip. Maps and driving directions will be provided to all registrants.
