Witness Coral Spawn, Mantas, and Night Dives at Flower Garden & Stetson

Texas Caribbean Charters, LLC — Flower Garden Banks & Stetson Bank Dive Trips

Overview

Texas Caribbean Charters, LLC operates dive charters departing from Freeport, Illinois to premier northern Gulf of Mexico sites including Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and Stetson Bank. The operator specializes in targeted itineraries for coral spawn events, manta ray encounters, and night dives that showcase the unique reef life around offshore oil platforms and protected reef ecosystems.

Signature Trips

• Coral Spawn Experience — Four-day diving adventure at Flower Garden Banks with 16 dives, including four night dives, focused on witnessing coral gamete release that attracts sharks and mantas.
• Stetson Coral Spawn Adventure — Three-day schedule at Stetson Bank featuring a night dive arranged to observe Madracis coral spawning during the full moon.
• Three Day Extended Flower Garden Tour — Three-day exploration with dives at mantas, oil platforms, and night dives with turtles.
• Weekend Flower Garden Tour — Two-day trip offering seven dives, manta encounters, oil platform exploration, and day and night diving opportunities.

What to Expect

• Wildlife encounters: manta rays, turtles, sharks, moray eels, and abundant reef fish common to Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank.
• Specialized events: planned dives around coral spawning windows (Madracis and other gamete release events) and full-moon night dive opportunities.
• Diving formats: multi-day itineraries with a mix of day dives and night dives; some trips include extended dive counts (up to 16 dives on the Coral Spawn Experience).

Trip Logistics and Departure

Departures are organized from Freeport, Illinois, with surface support and logistics coordinated by Texas Caribbean Charters, LLC. Trip lengths vary from 2–4 days depending on the itinerary. Divers should review published schedules and itinerary announcements for exact dates and seasonal windows tied to spawning events.

Who Should Book

• Experienced recreational and technical divers seeking focused wildlife encounters and night dives.
• Divers specifically interested in coral spawn observation, mantas, and reef ecology in the Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank areas.

Conservation and Site Notes

Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank are recognized reef and marine sanctuary areas with rich biodiversity. Trips operate around established dive sites, oil platforms, and manta cleaning stations; diving in these areas offers opportunities to observe species behavior during spawning and cleaning events.

Booking and Preparation

• Review trip itineraries for dive counts and night dive schedules.
• Confirm dates against published spawning windows and seasonal calendars.
• Prepare appropriate gear for multi-day and night diving; expect surface support provided by the charter operator.

Summary

Texas Caribbean Charters, LLC offers curated multi-day dive charters from Freeport, Illinois to top Gulf of Mexico dive sites. For divers seeking targeted coral spawn experiences, manta encounters, and immersive night dives at Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank, these itineraries provide clear, focused opportunities to observe reef life during seasonal events.