Differences in diving - Florida vs. Caribbean

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The main reason you don't get that kind of service in Florida is that by far most of the divers taking the boats are locals. They might be diving a few times a month when they get the time. In the Caribbean, most of the divers are there for a short vacation and will be doing several dives a day for a week or so.
Not to mention that our accommodations in both GC and Coz did not have facilities or room to deal with all our gear.
 
Following as well. Dived most of my life in the Caribbean but have always been interested in heading up to FL to see how the other half lives.
 
Following as well. Dived most of my life in the Caribbean but have always been interested in heading up to FL to see how the other half lives.

The other half lives quite well, thank you. I'm 3 miles from Boynton Harbor Marina, 15 miles from BHB and West Palm, and 30 miles from Jupiter.

I have a little over 300 dives in the Caribbean to compare this to, I'll take SE Florida
 
Thanks so far for the input. It's much appreciated. So not being a local, I'd fly in, rent a car, and carry my stuff back and forth to the marina(s) each day. Buddy wise, if I am indeed solo, I'll just inform them and either buddy up or follow the guide. Keep em coming.
 
I flew in last January, rented a car and did just that. Drove to the marina, jumped on the boat and dove solo.

I am coming down there next week, week of August 22. Driving in with most of my gear except tanks. Will be renting hp100s for boat dives. I am booked on little deeper for Tuesday and jdc for Wednesday. I expect to hit the wrecks and see some goliath grouper. I will be solo and will bring my pony. I don't mind a buddy but if none available will dIve alone or with the dm. I will probably hit bhb on the off days. If anyone is diving that week hit me up.

Paul, I will try to join up before then and if we meet up it would be great.
 
When diving Caribbean, tips are everything to DMs. When diving in FL, it is the very same amount of tips ($5 a tank, usually), but for DMs who live in much more expensive environment, same amount does not have the same value (vs some 3rd world country). Thus, DMs are more d*ck-ish to customers (my guess at rationalizing it). By far not every DM but some are assholes. Never met a**hole DMs in the Caribbean, those washout quickly, my guess. Though, in FL did meet many DMs and captains with overly inflated sense of their importance, with a sense for customer relations those of an army drill sergeant. I maybe, maybe, can attribute that to some higher expectations of safety in FL, yet, customer service in being more pleasant to a customer is surely lacking vs Caribbean.
 
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When diving Caribbean, tips are everything to DMs. When diving in FL, it is the very same amount of tips ($5 a tank, usually), but for DMs who live in much more expensive environment, same amount does not have the same value (vs some 3rd world country). Thus, DMs are more d*ck-ish to customers (my guess at rationalizing it). By far not every DM but some are assholes. Never met a**hole DMs in the Caribbean, those washout quickly, my guess. Though, in FL did meet many DMs and captains with overly inflated sense of their importance, with a sense for customer relations those of an army drill sergeant. I maybe, maybe, can attribute that to some higher expectations of safety in FL, yet, customer service in being more pleasant to a customer is surely lacking vs Caribbean.

Sorry to disagree but at Stuart Scuba that is not how we run. At our operation, our DMs dive you the same "thank you", the same "smile" and same "service" whether you tip $5, $10, $20 or nothing at all. Any DM who is d*ck-ish to customers becomes a "former" DM very quickly. We operate in a service industry and our DMs are trained to provide exceptional service.
 
When diving Caribbean, tips are everything to DMs. When diving in FL, it is the very same amount of tips ($5 a tank, usually), but for DMs who live in much more expensive environment, same amount does not have the same value (vs some 3rd world country). Thus, DMs are more d*ck-ish to customers (my guess at rationalizing it). By far not every DM but some are assholes. Never met a**hole DMs in the Caribbean, those washout quickly, my guess. Though, in FL did meet many DMs and captains with overly inflated sense of their importance, with a sense for customer relations those of an army drill sergeant. I maybe, maybe, can attribute that to some higher expectations of safety in FL, yet, customer service in being more pleasant to a customer is surely lacking vs Caribbean.

Hey Texasguy,

I have nearly 750 dives in SE Florida and the Northern Keys in the last dozen years. I could not disagree with you more. Most all of the DMs I've met in Florida are friendly, competent, and helpful, whether they go in the water or stay on the boat. Scuba operations are very competitive, an operator could not afford a boorish DM who alienates its customers. I would say the same for DMs in the Caribbean, where I only have a little over 300 dives, most all have been wonderful.

I have not had the opportunity to dive in your state so cannot comment on Texas DMs. On the other hand, perhaps your attitude could use a little adjustment, may do wonders.

Good diving, Craig
 
I think he means me.
 
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