Lots of Marine Life in Palm Beach Florida

Summer has come to an end and we are now into the fall weather, but does not mean we stop diving here in Palm Beach, Florida, Oooo no . . . there is a lot of marine life in Palm Beach year round.

Our good friend Jim Cocci came out with us yesterday and here are some special moments he captured.

Drifting along the reefs brought us a few unexpected surprises such as the Magnificent Sea Urchins tucked up along the ledge and also out in the sand.  There were some beauties and they were big!  Lobster were plentiful and ranging from the juveniles (just a few inches) to some Grand Daddies.

This Orange Filefish wanted to get a closer look.

A pair of Spiney Lobster just wanting to be left alone

This Porcupine Fish is happy to see us!

A large Magnificent Sea Urchin (that’s it’s real name), is about 9 inches in diameter.

You are sure to see Moray Eels but what is most exciting to us lately is the number of juvenile eels we have been spotting.

A Blue Angelfish cruising the reef

A Green Moray Eel peeking out of his “cave”

Friendly Spotted Moray Eel checking us out.

These juvenile Grunts can’t seem to figure out how to form a school!

This Four-eye Butterfly Fish seems to have quite a following of juvenile Grunts and Wrasses

You may see a shark or a turtle tucked up under the ledges resting, but don’t forget to look up in to the water column and see the schools of fish.  We have so many schools that at times it’s like swimming in a fish bowl.

A large Nurse Shark taking a break

A lone Spanish Grunt on the hunt

A Trumpetfish and several Grunts look for food on the reef

A juvenile Balloon Fish is curious about the camera

Juvenile Lionfish – not a welcome visitor to Atlantic and Caribbean reefs

We are lucky enough to have some wonderful reefs right in our own backyard, not even a mile off shore. With the Gulf Stream to close to our shores it’s no wonder we have a lot of marine life!