Tiger Beach in Winter

I am considering a trip to Tiger Beach in Jan/Feb. I have heard that this can be a bad time to go in terms of weather. Is this the case?

oh come on. i know some of you guys have been there at this time...

Hi Matt,

I went last year towards the end of Feb. My first and only trip (so far). Unfortunately, we were in FL when an unusually strong cold front came through, so temps dipped into the 40's at night. The crossing over wasn't so bad, and we had a couple nice, albeit chilly days. We did lose the last day of diving due to wind so we did surface wrangling and pole-camming instead. The ride back that night was very bumpy.

Still got some nice pics: http://gallery.me.com/philsokol/100142

Phil

Hi Matt,

 

I went last year towards the end of Feb. My first and only trip (so far). Unfortunately, we were in FL when an unusually strong cold front came through, so temps dipped into the 40's at night. The crossing over wasn't so bad, and we had a couple nice, albeit chilly days. We did lose the last day of diving due to wind so we did surface wrangling and pole-camming instead. The ride back that night was very bumpy.

 

Still got some nice pics: http://gallery.me.com/philsokol/100142

 

Phil

Nice gallery, thanks for posting. If that was with bad weather ... imagine ...

Been on a couple of trips - was on the trip following Phil's above.

Don't know if it is seasonal but the vis was generally better on the trip that I did in June/July.

We also had a couple of rough bits on the Feb trip ( but also had a rough night crossing on the June/July ) so

I figure it is lucky dip.

Paul C

You usually get more sharks (certainly lemons) and more bigger sharks on the winter trips - but you also have more chance of stormy weather that my reduce your diving options. But this is the Bahamas - it is never cold! The winter weather is just not as perfect as those lovely summer days.

Tiger Beach is, as the name suggests, a shallow areas - and stormy weather can stir it up and make it undiveable. Make sure you go on a charter that has other options too. JASA have plenty of other options in the area.

Alex

Still got some nice pics: http://gallery.me.com/philsokol/100142

Wow, 17 and 110 in your gallery, wow!

How did you light them, Phil?

Tim

those are great shots.

as far as going in the winter, i'm just concerned about bad weather ruining an entire trip.

Thanks Tim and Matt!

17 was shot tokina 10-17 at 10, f8, 1/160, ys 250's at 1/2 - Jim's suggested settings. 110 is a pole cam shot, tokina 10-17 at 10, prefocused to 4-6 inches from the dome, f11, 1/250, strobes 1/4 (maybe one click less?). Again, Jim will just rattle off some suggested settings if you ask and you can go from there (he's usually right if not darn close).

Going back next summer!

Phil

i guess that was my next question, which lens to take. i have a 17-40, but i thik it maybe time to get the fisheye...

I did a JASA trip Nov-Dec and had great weather and I think the trip before mine had some rough weather...I think it's hit or miss between heat, hurricanes, and cold fronts you just have to for it and the worst case scenario is you get a couple of days of crappy weather, but plenty of time to get your fill of sharks.

Going back next summer for the third time (peak hurricane season!) with Wetpixel.

Some pics at mpowell.smugmug.com