FL Aquarium in Tampa - good dive? Similar to Epcot?

[Glock Diver]

Last month I was lucky enough to coordinate a business trip to Orlando with a dive in Epcot's Living Seas aquarium. It was awesome! I highly recommend it to anyone... I think I had as much fun goofing off with the kids watching us, as I did swimming with the sharks! Probably the most expensive 1-tank dive I'll ever have ($148 with my AAA discount), but a very unique experience.

I see that the Florida Aquarium in Tampa also allows divers to swim in their tank for about the same cost. Just wondering if anyone has done that, and how the experience compared with Epcot's DiveQuest? From the stats on their website, it seems the FL Aquarium is much much smaller, which is the only reason I'd hesitate to try it.

For those interested:
The Florida Aquarium - Tampa Bay
Dive Quest

 

[K Mejean]

Hey Glock,
I work for the aquarium as one of their DiveMasters. While I think our shark dive is awesome I know it isn't like the Divequest dive. From what I understand you get to swim around at Divequest and we don't allow that. When we put you in the water we escort you to a particular spot and have you drop on your knees. That allows the sharks to come to you. It works much better for us that way. If we let people swim around they wouldn't really get to see the sharks as well. There isn't a lot of room in the tank so it works out better to stay still.
I still recommend doing the dive. We have several different types of sharks as well as a large turtle and a goliath grouper( that likes to sit on peoples heads to play in their bubbles). It is a great experience and I have never had a diver leave unhappy with the decision to come dive with us. If you have any more questions just shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to answer them.

 

[AevnsGrandpa]

This is timely for me. We will be in Tampa the weekend of April 4th and I am taking my grandson there and saw they have this dive. I called and found out they have 1 opening in the morning and 2 in the afternoon that Saturday. Is one better than the other?

What gear do you guys provide?

Wil you be working that Saturday, would be great to dive with a SB'er!

Jeff

 

[K Mejean]

[GOOGLE][/GOOGLE]

This is timely for me. We will be in Tampa the weekend of April 4th and I am taking my grandson there and saw they have this dive. I called and found out they have 1 opening in the morning and 2 in the afternoon that Saturday. Is one better than the other?

What gear do you guys provide?

Wil you be working that Saturday, would be great to dive with a SB'er!

Jeff

The time of day doesn't really matter that much. So whichever you prefer will be fine. We provide all the gear. All you have to bring is a bathing suit, towel, and your mask. We have some masks there but you are better off bringing your own. As far as me working is concerned.... I don't know. As of right now I'm not but that can always change. If so I will keep an eye out for you.

 

[AevnsGrandpa]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to get reserved for Saturday the 4th for 4pm which they had a couple openings for.

Hope to see ya!

Jeff