By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com Summer: the season of swimming, shish-kebabing, and swinging in a hammock. Somebody somewhere in the U.S. declared July …
Watch the Reef Do the Wild Thing Live
10 Aug 20179:06 AM
With coral reefs around the world in peril from pollution, ocean acidification, disease and other threats, watching these animals reproduce is an exciting, exhilarating, and uplifting experience.
A mass spawning of large boulder corals, such as the brain and star species, is expected to occur after dark on Aug. 13-14 –the week after the full moon– in the Florida Keys. And you can reserve a front-row, underwater seat to witness this spectacular event.
A few hours after sunset on one or both nights, coral polyps all along the reef tract are expected to release millions of eggs and sperm that resemble tiny white BBs into the water column. When the gametes unite, the larvae drift around with ocean currents for days or weeks before settling on the bottom and forming new coral colonies.
Meanwhile, this explosion of new underwater life attracts predators ranging from little silver pilchards to large tarpon that flash like a Fourth of July fireworks display in their quest for food.
The annual spawning event depends on a variety of natural factors and cues such as lunar cycles, water temperature, rainfall, and tide. So it’s never exactly the same from year to year and there are no guarantees it will happen as predicted. If it does go off, it will likely be between 11 p.m. and midnight.
Reserve a spot with Captain Slate’s Scuba Adventures, a Guy Harvey Outpost Outfitter, in Islamorada by visiting www.captainslate.com or calling 1-800-331-3483. Reserve a room for your dive at the nearby Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost by calling 1-800-513-5357 or visiting www.guyharveyoutpost.com.
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 or Facebook (www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost) with #OutpostAttitude and win a free Caribbean Mayan hammock from Natacha's Boutique.
String your hammock up in the backyard for a lazy afternoon of reading or snoozing, then check out Guy Harvey Outpost's best hammock getaways:
The Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada, has an array of summer scuba diving packages with Capt. Slate's Scuba Adventures. Dive with Slate's friendly moray eels and colorful tropical fish, explore sunken ships, and learn how to hunt for lobsters with your expert guide. If you prefer to stay on the surface, islanderwatersports.com offers boat and paddleboard rentals; guided personal watercraft tours; fishing charters; sailboat rentals and lessons; kayak and bicycle rentals; fishing rods; and beach umbrellas. For families with kids, the Islander conducts one-hour-long Marine Science Camps at 2p.m. on July 26; Aug. 2, 9, 30; and Sept. 13. Find out what it's like to be a marine scientist studying sharks, corals, fish and other creatures.
TradeWinds Beach Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost on St. Pete Beach, offers a Suite Summer Saver where you can save up to 35 percent (including resort fee) for a three-night stay until Aug. 31. While you're there, be sure to take the plunge in the 33,500-gallon aquarium at RumFish Grill featured on Animal Planet's popular show "TANKED". Snorkelers aged 8 and up can swim with 30 species of fish-- all equipment included-- for $35. Tours are conducted Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, visit swimwithourfish.com.
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The Hotel Playa Media Luna and Keen M Bluewater Charters, a Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Lodge and Outfitter in Isla Mujeres, Mexico is conducting whale shark snorkeling trips through mid-September. You don't need to be a certified scuba diver to take the plunge with the world's largest --and perhaps gentlest-- fish in Mexico's warm Caribbean waters.
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Isabela, the largest of the eastern Pacific's remote Galapagos Islands, is a wildlife wonderland, and the Iguana Crossing Hotel, a Guy Harvey Expedition Lodge, provides the base camp for your adventure with five-day, four-night packages. Observe numerous species of whales; scuba dive with sea lions and sea turtles; and watch giant land tortoises and penguins.
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To book your Summer Story, <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.Com/specials" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE</a> or call 1-800-513-5257.
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/swing-in-a-free-hammock-this-summer/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bonefish and Tarpon Trust Hosts Their 5th International Symposium&body=<a href="http://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/">Bonefish and Tarpon Trust</a> hosted their 5th International Symposium at the <a href="http://igfa.org">IGFA Hall of Fame and Museum</a> in Dania Beach, Florida. Hundreds of conservation minded attendees turned out for the educational and event packed weekend, all with a focus on raising awareness about the conservation of bonefish, tarpon, and permit.
Scientists from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Belize, the Bahamas, and Cuba were on hand to present their latest findings on a variety of topics concerning the three slam species. A number of fly and spin fishing clinics were held for the attendees to enjoy and there were also panel discussions with some of today’s most knowledgeable fishing guides and angling legends from around the world, sharing their insight and stories about bonefish, tarpon, and permit.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/btt-2014-flies.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-2387 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/btt-2014-flies.jpg" alt="BTT 2014 Flies" width="640" height="427" /></a>
Friday evening saw the inaugural BTT Art and Film Festival, where some of the biggest names in saltwater art and photography displayed their work and helped raise funds for BTT. The festival also featured screenings of many excellent short films, all competing for a chance to win prizes from <a href="http://www.orvis.com">Orvis</a> and <a href="http://costadelmar.com">Costa</a> and the title of Viewer’s Choice. In the end, “Knockin’ On The Door” by WorldAngling took home the win. The winner of BTT’s Best Conservation Message went to Marc Montocchio for his trailer of the film “Origins Of The Sky.”
The highlight of the film screening was the world premier of "90 Miles", in which filmmaker Will Benson of WorldAngling highlighted his recent trip to Cuba with BTT scientists and showed the world that although the US has had differences with its neighbor to the south, we also share many commonalities including a love for fishing and a passion for the conservation of our environment.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/btt-2014-bill-tom_mcguane.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2389 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/btt-2014-bill-tom_mcguane.jpg" alt="BTT 2014 Bill Tom_McGuane" width="640" height="509" /></a>Bill Klyn presents Tom McGuane with the Curt Gowdy Media Memorial Award, photo: Pat Ford
Capping off the two-day event was a Saturday evening silent auction followed by the “Passing The Torch” Banquet. The banquet celebrated some up and coming members of the saltwater fishing community in a short “Passing The Torch” film. The film highlighted Paul Puckett, Jorge Martinez, <a href="http://flatsclass.com">Captain C.A. Richardson</a>, Captain Will Benson, Meredith McCord and Oliver White for their support of BTT and their efforts to promote conservation of bonefish, tarpon, and permit.
During the banquet, BTT awarded three Conservation Stewardship awards to deserving members of the fishing community. The Flats Stewardship Award went to former <a href="http://myfwc.com">FWC</a> commissioner Ken Wright for his tireless efforts in securing the catch and release status of bonefish and tarpon in Florida, as well as the banning of the “Boca Grande Jig”. The Lefty Kreh Sportsman of the Year Award was presented to <a href="https://www.costadelmar.com">Costa Del Mar</a>’s VP of Marketing, Al Perkinson, for his immense support of BTT through Project Permit, and the Curt Gowdy Media Memorial Award went to legendary author and <a href="http://outdoorchannel.com/buccaneers-and-bones">Buccaneers and Bones</a> star Tom McGuane.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/btt-2014-al_perkinson-aaron_adams.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2390 size-full" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/btt-2014-al_perkinson-aaron_adams.jpg" alt="BTT 2014 Al_Perkinson Aaron_Adams" width="640" height="612" /></a>Al Perkinson receives the Lefty Kreh Sportsman of the year Award from Dr. Aaron Adams. Photo Pat Ford
The <a href="http://fisheries.org">American Fisheries Society</a> also presented Bonefish and Tarpon Trust with the prestigious Conservation Achievement Award for the Fisheries Management Section. This annual award recognizes an organization’s outstanding contributions to fishery conservation or fishery science. Upon receiving the award, BTT’s Director of Operations Dr. Aaron Adams noted, “BTT is extremely flattered and proud to receive this award from the American Fisheries Society. This award confirms the validity of our approach to fisheries conservation, and provides encouragement moving forward.”
The two day event saw roughly 350 registered attendees come through the doors and went on to gross nearly $117,000 for Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. Symposium Chairman Chris Peterson of <a href="http://www.hellsbayboatworks.com">Hell’s Bay Boatworks</a> commented, “The scientific presentations were astronomically enlightening, the instruction sessions legendary, and the fellowship among like minded anglers...priceless.” BTT President Matt Connolly added, "Like me, I suspect that nearly all 350 Symposium attendees left inspired by the "Legends", encouraged by the exciting scientific breakthroughs, and energized knowing their investment in BTT has delivered such dynamic returns in but three years! The many inspiring discoveries shared with us at the Symposium made it apparent that we must transform this emerging scientific knowledge into enlightened management of flats ecosystems throughout the Caribbean. It is a challenge BTT is now, more than ever, well prepared to meet!"
Photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.patfordphotos.com/home-static.cfm">Pat Ford</a>
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![](mailto:?subject=LYC Commodore Sends Letter of Thanks for Successful 2010 Bimini Blast Event at the BBGC&body=The Commodore of the Lauderdale Yacht Club recently sent a letter to the staff of the <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> expressing his gratitude to the BBGC for hosting a sucessful "Bimini Blast", which is the LYC's annual gathering in Bimini:
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lyc-loving-letter1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-133 aligncenter" title="Letter from the Commodore of the LYC" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lyc-loving-letter1.jpg?w=788" alt="" width="567" height="737" /></a>
<a title="Bimini Blast 2010 at the Bimini Big Game Club" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13362&id=127094040665962&saved" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a photo album of the 2010 "Bimini Blast" event at the BBGC. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/lyc-commodore-sends-letter-of-thanks-for-successful-2010-bimini-blast-event-at-the-bbgc/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Sponging Up History in Tarpon Springs&body=Doug Ward donned a canvas-and-rubber suit, wood-and-leather boots, and a copper-and-brass dive helmet with a hose attached to an air compressor and plunged into the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs, FL. We could see his bubbles from the St. Nicholas tour boat, and after a few minutes he bobbed to the surface holding a small, unsightly brownish object.
A crewman carefully helped Ward, wearing nearly 175 pounds of dive gear, back onto the boat where he passed the squishy find among the passengers.
"Bleah," I thought as I examined it.
It was a small wool sponge-- considered the most commercially desirable among the more than 1,500 species of the invertebrates that grow on hard-bottom areas in the Gulf of Mexico. But this one was just for demo purposes, not for sale. And anyway, it would have taken about 2 1/2 days to wash away the guts and stink and render it into a pristine bath or decorative accessory like the ones that fill the shops along Tarpon Springs' main drag, Dodecanese Blvd.
We passengers on the tour boat had just witnessed an historical reenactment of the early 20th-century Greek art of sponge diving with which the St. Nicholas crew has been entertaining visitors since 1924.
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Beginning around 1902, thousands of Greek sponge divers poured into this quiet Gulf coast town, bringing with them the equipment they had been using in their native waters since the 1860s. Besides harvesting, processing and shipping the skeletons of the animals, they built boats and homes and prepared their signature dishes like spanakopita and baklava in waterfront restaurants. For decades, Tarpon Springs reigned as the sponge capital of the world.
But in the late 1930s through mid-40s, a bacterial blight killed the industry, and it didn't really recover until new sponge beds were discovered well offshore during the 1980s. Today, Tarpon Springs has regained its top spot, supplying some 70 percent of worldwide demand for natural sponges.
Of course today's sponge divers don't need to use the cumbersome gear of yesteryear. Ward, a transplant from Wyoming who volunteers with St. Nicholas, dives commercially for sponges from his own boat using modern scuba gear such as a hookah rig to deliver air and a neoprene wetsuit. He said he usually harvests between 150 and 200 sponges per day.
The one thing that hasn't changed in over a century is the processing; it still takes about 2 1/2 days of labor-intensive fussing to render a soft, odorless, germ- and mold-resistant sponge.
The first thing I did when I got off the boat was to go buy one.
The St. Nicholas Boat Line runs daily tours from its dock on Dodecanese Blvd. in Tarpon Springs. Call 727-942-6425 or email stnicholas@live.com. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/sponging-up-history-in-tarpon-springs/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts Teams with Green Turtle Club&body=THE ABACOS, THE BAHAMAS— MAY 23, 2012— Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts and the famed <a title="Green Turtle Club web site" href="http://www.greenturtleclub.com/" target="_blank">Green Turtle Club</a> in the Bahamas announced today a new alliance between the two, naming the Club the inaugural member of the new Expedition Properties Portfolio by Guy Harvey Outpost. The alliance becomes effective immediately.
Making the announcement was Outpost President Mark Ellert and Club owners, Adam Showell and Ann Showell Mariner of Ocean City Maryland. Guy Harvey Outpost was founded by Ellert along with Dr. <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> and his long time associates Charles Forman and Bill Shedd to promote adventure travel, watersport recreation and sustainable tourism in unique destinations.
“We are extremely excited to launch the Expedition Properties Portfolio with the famed Green Turtle Club as our inaugural member hotel,” said Ellert. “Our intent with Expedition Properties is to showcase small independently owned properties in unique destinations that are focused on watersport recreation and whose owners are committed to customer service, sustainability and conservation. Given the Club’s legacy, the professionalism of its staff and dedication of its owners, I’m hard pressed to think of a better opportunity in the Bahamas than this,” he adds.
In commenting on their decision to team with Guy Harvey Outpost, Adam Showell and his sister Ann explained, “Guy Harvey embodies the personality of the Club, and its’ guests. His authenticity, commitment to excellence and passionate outreach to those of all ages and accomplishment are hallmarks of the Green Turtle Club.”
As an Expedition Property, Guy Harvey Outpost will market the Club and offer travel and booking services to its customers though it’s Outpost Travel Desk and central reservation office. “With this new alliance, we look forward to welcoming the world of Guy Harvey fans to their new Out-Island home, and know they’ll enjoy their stay with us,” added the Club’s General Manager Lynn Johnson.
<a href="http://www.greenturtleclub.com/home"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1280" title="Green Turtle Club" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/green-turtle-club1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="337" /></a>
Noting his enthusiasm for the new Outpost offering, Ellert said “Thirty degrees north and south of the equator, there are a lot of great properties with committed owners like Adam and Ann who share our vision of sustainability and hospitality. In growing the Expedition Properties Portfolio, our intent will be to spotlight these properties and encourage our customers to support them.” The firm recently announced its newest signature property, the <a title="Guy Harvey Outpost to Open St. Pete Beach Resort" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2012/02/17/guy-harvey-outpost-to-open-st-pete-beach-resort/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resort on St. Pete Beach, Florida</a>. “We expect the Expedition Properties Portfolio to become a significant footprint for our Guy Harvey Outpost brand. Ellert likens having the two resort branding products to fishing, “It’s the same water, we’ve just added a different rod for catching a different fish, and we’ll end up bringing more fish to the boat”.
“We’ll continue to emphasize the Club’s legacy of gracious hospitality and fine dining but now as an Expedition Property we’ll be better positioned to showcase its appeal to watersport enthusiasts, their friends and families all of whom are looking for those memorable top-of-class experiences that define the Outpost brand,” Showell explains. “By October 1st we intend to have completed some exciting new enhancements to the Club, and with our affiliation to Guy and his Outpost brand, it will be an exciting new chapter in the Club’s history.”
Green Turtle Cay enjoys a long and colorful history, with a reputation extending far beyond its three miles of shoreline. Settled in the 1770’s by American colonial Loyalists, the main settlement of New Plymouth offers a distinct 18th -Century New England feel with pastel-painted, clapboard gingerbread homes. With a shared heritage of treasure salvage, turtle farming and boat building, in the late 1800’s many of its early settlers relocated to Key West, which today is the sister city of New Plymouth. Adds Ellert, “there are many family trees in Key West that have roots in Green Turtle and we’re intending to promote that common ancestry to our customer base.”
“Green Turtle Cay is our new island-in the-stream,” said Outpost partner Bill Shedd, owner of <a title="AFTCO web site" href="http://www.aftco.com" target="_blank">AFTCO</a>, one of the world’s premier fishing tackle companies and prominent marine conservationist. “In travelling last year to Green Turtle from my home in Southern California, I’m reminded that the Abaco Islands and Florida have a common history and bond defined by a life on and from these mesmerizing waters that are vibrant with marine life. I’m delighted Guy Harvey Outpost can be a part in protecting this important marine resource while sustaining the cultural history of the Abacos in years to come.”
The Green Turtle Club has been a fixture on Green Turtle Cay since 1964 when British naval architect Allan Charlesworth built a boathouse on the Club grounds, and visiting yachtsmen started a tradition of hanging a signed dollar bill on the wall to treat followers to a drink.
The Club sits on a picturesque harbor surrounded by some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. The hotel offers 31 guestrooms, a 40-slip marina and fuel dock, restaurant, bar/lounge and poolside bar. The Club hosts the annual Green Turtle Club Billfish Tournament, having just concluded its 25th Silver Anniversary last week.
The Abacos’ Green Turtle Cay is just 70 minutes by air from South Florida into Treasure Cay International Airport, then a short 15-minute ferryboat ride to the Green Turtle Club. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-outpost-resorts-teams-with-green-turtle-club/){kind=link}
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