John_B
Grasshopper
I'm the guy that RTBNewGuy says must be narc'ed. (He and an alter ego have taken exception to something I said on another thread and have started following me around SB for the past day or so, ripping on my posts.)
I've dived WPB, Jupiter, Boyton, Pompano, Ft Lauderdale and many, many dives in the Keys. Knowing what little I can glean about you, steelsaint, if you are a new diver and are looking for a buddy then I'd want you to make sure you knew what you are getting yourself into. I've had some straightforward dives in Jupiter (and WPB and Boyton and Pompano) and others that were pretty challenging, based on conditions. The diving can be fantastic, but before I'd recommend WPB/Jupiter I'd want to know what your comfort level is with ripping currents and rough seas, as well as what your air consumption is like (if you have to surface early, you could be surfacing by yourself).
IMO there is a big difference between an instructor taking an OW student out in challenging conditions vs. sending a newish diver into the same challenging conditions on their own, possibly for the first time.
I'm diving this week but don't just take my word for it, their are people here who live here in the area and dive Jupiter/WPB every week. Anyone who is being honest with you will tell you these are awesome dives but can rapidly become advanced dives, even between descending and surfacing. If you are going out alone, maybe paying for a divemaster as a guide/buddy wouldn't be a bad idea...
There are also some great dives in Key Largo that aren't so advanced. If you haven't done that yet and can make the trip down and back fit into your schedule, that would still be my first recommendation. (Narc'ed or not.)
John_B
I've dived WPB, Jupiter, Boyton, Pompano, Ft Lauderdale and many, many dives in the Keys. Knowing what little I can glean about you, steelsaint, if you are a new diver and are looking for a buddy then I'd want you to make sure you knew what you are getting yourself into. I've had some straightforward dives in Jupiter (and WPB and Boyton and Pompano) and others that were pretty challenging, based on conditions. The diving can be fantastic, but before I'd recommend WPB/Jupiter I'd want to know what your comfort level is with ripping currents and rough seas, as well as what your air consumption is like (if you have to surface early, you could be surfacing by yourself).
IMO there is a big difference between an instructor taking an OW student out in challenging conditions vs. sending a newish diver into the same challenging conditions on their own, possibly for the first time.
I'm diving this week but don't just take my word for it, their are people here who live here in the area and dive Jupiter/WPB every week. Anyone who is being honest with you will tell you these are awesome dives but can rapidly become advanced dives, even between descending and surfacing. If you are going out alone, maybe paying for a divemaster as a guide/buddy wouldn't be a bad idea...
There are also some great dives in Key Largo that aren't so advanced. If you haven't done that yet and can make the trip down and back fit into your schedule, that would still be my first recommendation. (Narc'ed or not.)
John_B