Looking for advice for upcoming dive trip with junior

[jbrotsky]

Our family will be coming to Orlando in November, and my 11 year old daughter and I would like to escape the Disney tractor beam for a few days and go diving. I am Rescue Diver certified and my daughter earned her Junior Open Water Certification this summer. Ideally, we would like to find a charter within 1.5-2 hours drive of the Orlando area, and would appreciate a suggestion or two regarding dive charters in the respective area(s).

This will be her first time diving in the ocean, so having a charter understanding of her depth limitations and showing her as much marine life as possible is important to me.

Thanks all!

 

[sheeper]

come visit us at Stuart Scuba (www.stuartscuba.com). The best ocean diving that is anywhere near Disney is Jupiter. We'll take good care of you both! We put experienced divemasters or instructors in the water for EVERY dive and can accommodate anything you need. Give the shop a call at 772.600.8288
let them know that Paul sent you. I'll make sure your day is awesome!

 

[KathyV]

While you are there, you and your daughter might want to dive Epcot, sounds like fun!

Anyone ever do Epcot Dive Quest??

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

West Palm Beach has Blue Heron Bridge. It's a shore dive so no boats involved. It's on my bucket list to dive with my 15 year old daughter because I think the deepest it gets is around 30 feet. It also is supposed to have all kinds of aquatic life. There is a female dive guide that is highly recommended that I'm sure someone will chime in with her name. Best thing is that it is incredibly cheap compared to charter boats. You have to time your dives with the tides, but it's not that hard.

Have fun, safe travels!
Jay

 

[sportxlh]

West Palm Beach has some nice sites like the Breakers Reef that are only 60 feet or so deep. Just clarify with your choosen dive shop that the boat is not going to a deep site. An easy way to find an appropriate boat is to call Force-E and they will find a boat that fits your needs. This shop does not operate its own boat but has relationships with most of the operators in the area.

If you want to see a really nice shallow reef, drive further to Pompano and Lauderdale by the Sea. The shallow reef line is only 30 feet deep and beautiful.

If you want to try fresh water, Try Devils Den in Williston.

Lastly, the Epcot Dive Quest at Disney is fun enough but not cheap. A young person will love it.

 

[scubadada]

The gorgeous reef in Boynton Beach is filled with all the reef fish you generally see in the Caribbean. The depth is no deeper than about 60 feet. This is about a half hour South of Jupiter but significantly shallower and more appropriate for a new diver. I would look at Underwater Explorers, Loggerhead, or Starfish. PM me with any questions.

Good diving, Craig

 

[C P]

If you aren't only considering the ocean, Williston is only about an hour and a half to two hours from Orlando. Devil's Den and Blue Grotto are both freshwater springs and are nice sites. You won't be held to a strict time schedule. Both have really nice websites to research them. While no tropical fish, the springs provide good bragging rights for kids. have fun

 

[Cali_diver]

Whatever you decide to do, I highly suggest you consider getting a private DM for you and your daughter.

 

[drrich2]

West Palm Beach has Blue Heron Bridge. It's a shore dive so no boats involved. It's on my bucket list to dive with my 15 year old daughter because I think the deepest it gets is around 30 feet. It also is supposed to have all kinds of aquatic life. There is a female dive guide that is highly recommended that I'm sure someone will chime in with her name.

I don't know her personally, but I think you're talking about Scuba_Jenny (link to her profile page). @Scuba_Jenny

Richard.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Ding ding ding....we have a winner. That's who I was thinking about but could not remember her name. We were close to a Florida trip but softball took over and could not arrange the trip this summer. We will definitely try to book a trip with her when 4 schedules can work it in and Southwest has their $69 sale from DFW. The wife and I will hit our second home in Cozumel at the end of October instead. Thanks again for posting!