Weekend Diving Adventure with Texas Caribbean Charters
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2 days
Fitness Level
Participants should have basic scuba certification and be comfortable with multiple dives in varying conditions over two days.
Overview
Dive into the Gulf’s premier underwater sanctuary with Texas Caribbean Charters. This two-day trip offers seven dives among manta rays, turtles, and vibrant reefs for an unforgettable marine adventure.
Weekend Flower Garden Tour
2 days • Ages 10+ • 7 Dives
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About This Adventure
Experience the thrill of diving at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary on this two-day adventure. Encounter majestic manta rays, explore captivating oil platforms, and swim with friendly turtles during day and night dives. With seven dives in stunning locations, this tour promises unforgettable underwater memories and breathtaking marine life encounters.
Most Popular
Duration
2 days
About
This is our most popular tour of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
We depart Freeport in the evening and motor out to the West Bank where we wake up at 7AM and dive at 8AM (and again at 11AM). The West Bank is famous for sighting manta rays, so don't forget to LOOK UP while you're on your dive, as divers sometimes miss seeing mantas passing above them!
After lunch you'll dive on an oil platform (if available). Be prepared to be impressed. Divers often go on this dive with modest expectations, but the deep-water oil platforms change a lot of minds! And most divers tell us the rig dive is the best we offer!
Next you'll spend the evening at the East Bank where you'll make one more dive before dark and a night dive. The East Bank usually has turtles that hang out with divers and aren't shy about getting their photo taken.
Overnight we motor to Stetson Bank where you'll have two more dives before heading back to port for an evening arrival around 5-6PM.
Schedule
Friday: Joining the boat, boarding, and departure
- 7pm divers arrive at the pier
- Divers board the boat and check in
- Departure!
Saturday: West Flower Garden Bank, East Flower Garden Bank, Oil Platform
- 7am wake up and continental breakfast
- Dives 1&2 at the West Bank, famous for cruising Manta Rays
- Lunch, then Oil Platform Dive
- Dives 4&5 at the East Bank, visit with the turtles
Sunday: Stetson Bank
- 6am wake up and continental breakfast
- Dives 6&7 at Stetson Bank, nowhere for the critters to hide
- Return to Freeport at about 5:30-6PM
What's Included
- All meals and snacks
- AL 80 cf tank
- 27-32% Nitrox
- 7 Dives (see itinerary)
What to Bring
- All your dive gear, weights, wet suit, dive light, back-up light, tank light, surface marker buoy, everything.
- A couple of towels
- Necessary medications
- Sea-sickness medication
- Personal hygiene / toiletries
- Gratuities are not included in your booking. The crew works for tips. They work hard for you, so please remember them at the end of the trip.
Adventure Tips
Be Prepared for Night Diving
Bring a reliable dive light and a backup, as the tour includes night dives where marine life is uniquely active.
Watch for Manta Rays Above
During West Bank dives, keep your gaze elevated—manta rays often cruise overhead and can be missed if not attentive.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect yourself and the marine environment by applying reef-safe sunscreen before boarding the boat and between dives.
Secure Your Gear
Ocean conditions can be unpredictable; make sure all dive equipment is securely fastened to avoid loss during boat transfers.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Southern manta rays
- Green sea turtles
History
The Flower Garden Banks was designated a national marine sanctuary in 1992 to protect one of the few coral reef systems in the northern Gulf.
Conservation
Texas Caribbean Charters follows strict sanctuary guidelines to minimize environmental impact, promoting responsible diving practices that preserve vibrant reef communities.
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Adventure Hotspots in Houston, Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Full Scuba Gear Set
Necessary for all dives, including regulator, mask, fins, buoyancy control device, and wetsuit.
Dive Light and Backup Light
Critical for night dives to illuminate marine life and navigate in low light.
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Important safety gear for marking your position during ascents and surface intervals.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protects your skin while minimizing impact on delicate marine ecosystems.
summer specific