Miami area shore/boat diving, BHB

[Beiji]

After two trips to Cozumel and lots of local diving, I've finally come to understand that my very favorite kind of diving is relatively shallow, with little current, where there is abundant animal life. I like to be able to just stay in one place and watch the fish or other creatures. I love the Blue Heron Bridge thread. The photos and videos are great, and it looks like the kind of diving I would really enjoy.

Here are a couple BHB questions:

1. How do you gear up for the dive? Do you unload all your gear or gear up from your car?

2. How far do you have to walk once you have your tank on?

I ask these questions because I'm in my early fifties and not very strong. I can walk a short distance with my tank on, but if you have to walk across a big parking lot and into the water, it might be too much for me.

3. Google says it's about 1 1/2 hours from Miami Beach. Is that accurate?

My mother-in-law has a condo in Miami Beach where I can stay and use as a base to explore the area diving.

4. Is there anything like Blue Heron Bridge closer to Miami?

I would probably also do some boat diving in Key Largo and on some of the wrecks and reefs near Miami.

5. Is South Beach Divers a good op to go with?

Thanks for any help.

Lisa

 

[djtimmy77]

1) We typically gear up at our car. I have seen others gear up at a picnic table, but I would only do this if you have multiple people so someone always has an eye on your gear.

2) if you arrive early and get a good parking spot, the walk could be as short as 100ft. A bad spot would add another 100-150ft.

3) Under normal driving conditions I would say that is accurate. Rush hour/accidents could vary that timeframe.

 

[Beiji]

Well, that doesn't sound bad at all! Thanks, djtimmy77!

 

[Splitlip]

On a week day, finding a close spot is easy.

I've been been there days we could not even find a spot in the park. We had to unload gear near the picnic tables and showers. Of course you do have to leave somebody to watch the gear. Not that a diver will steal it (well, maybe one. But AFAIK he is in upstate New York), but it'll wind up quickly in a pawn shop.

 

[Jupiter31]

After two trips to Cozumel and lots of local diving, I've finally come to understand that my very favorite kind of diving is relatively shallow, with little current, where there is abundant animal life. I like to be able to just stay in one place and watch the fish or other creatures. I love the Blue Heron Bridge thread. The photos and videos are great, and it looks like the kind of diving I would really enjoy.

Here are a couple BHB questions:

1. How do you gear up for the dive? Do you unload all your gear or gear up from your car? During the week, you can likely park very close to the beach, unload, gear up (you can even use one of the tables to do so) and go in the water - its a real short walk - if its more crowded, unload your gear, then park - remember, you need a dive flag there - Lock your car and don't leave gear, etc in plain view.

2. How far do you have to walk once you have your tank on? Short - see above

I ask these questions because I'm in my early fifties and not very strong. I can walk a short distance with my tank on, but if you have to walk across a big parking lot and into the water, it might be too much for me. Should not be a problem

3. Google says it's about 1 1/2 hours from Miami Beach. Is that accurate? Pretty close - maybe a little less, depending where you are on Miami Beach and how long it takes to get to I 95

My mother-in-law has a condo in Miami Beach where I can stay and use as a base to explore the area diving.

4. Is there anything like Blue Heron Bridge closer to Miami? Nope - nothing even close - BHB has everything you are looking for - there are shore dives in Broward; although they tend not to be as easy as BHB; lots do them on this forum and they can weigh in - the question you did not ask - there is no good shore diving in the Keys, either - reefs are 5-6 miles out; long swim .

I would probably also do some boat diving in Key Largo and on some of the wrecks and reefs near Miami.

5. Is South Beach Divers a good op to go with? Yes - they use RJ Diving Ventures, located at the Miami Beach Marina - go to their web site (RJ's) and book directly; you will likely save a few $

Thanks for any help.

Lisa

Also - check the tide table (On the BHB thread) - you should dive 1 hour BEFORE the listed high tide.

 

[Beiji]

Not that a diver will steal it (well, maybe one. But AFAIK he is in upstate New York), but it'll wind up quickly in a pawn shop.

Yikes, Upstate New York is my neighborhood!

Jupiter31, thanks for all the good, detailed info on BHB and the tip re RJ's. Will Force E (I hope that's the right name) be the best place for me to rent a tank and weights for BHB?

Now I just have to figure out when I can go and meet up with some of you BHB trolls!

 

[bilsant]

What he said, but think about LTBS, too...it's about halfway home from BHB. Distance-wise a little more of a walk, but not much (I'm 56, so I know what you mean). Certainly different from BHB, but very cool in it's own way. Maybe a morning BHB and afternoon LBTS combo?

 

[Beiji]

What he said, but think about LTBS, too...it's about halfway home from BHB. Distance-wise a little more of a walk, but not much (I'm 56, so I know what you mean). Certainly different from BHB, but very cool in it's own way. Maybe a morning BHB and afternoon LBTS combo?

Thanks, bilsant. I'm going to look into Gold Coast Divers.

Can anyone tell me what the average water temps are in Feb, March, and April?

 

[jet126]

Can anyone tell me what the average water temps are in Feb, March, and April?

Current temps around 70. I'm wearing a 5mm full plus a 3mm vest and beanie. And a skin underneath. It keeps me comfy for the average 2 hour BHB dive. Depending on time of day and air temp you'll want a fleece or something warm to change into after you get out.

 

[Beiji]

Current temps around 70. I'm wearing a 5mm full plus a 3mm vest and beanie. And a skin underneath. It keeps me comfy for the average 2 hour BHB dive. Depending on time of day and air temp you'll want a fleece or something warm to change into after you get out.

Thanks, jet126. I think that's 8/6 mm temp for me but will have to check my log book to see at what temp I started diving dry this year. I get cold easily and wore the 8/6 in Cozumel last month in 79° water.