Dive Spots for Windy Days South East Florida?

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ermaclob

Contributor
Messages
523
Reaction score
92
Location
Miami Dade County, Florida
# of dives
200 - 499
I live in Miami, I'm trying to see if their is possibly any spots I don't know about that would be good to go and check out underwater or do some practice / test gear at when the wind is not favorable on the weekends. To my knowledge the only options are to either go north to Blue Heron bridge up in Rivera which is a pretty hefty drive and prone to tides, or to go down to the keys and enjoy the lovely green and murky waters of Jules undersea lagoon, or Canon Beach in John Pennekamp State Park. Not that a green murky water is a big problem. Apart from those places, people just normally tell me to go and do a weekend mission to the springs up north, which is obviously not done so casually.

So are there any other possible spots whether inland quarries, lakes or inter coastal that can be used for diving when ocean conditions are not cooperating? I am aware that diving in lakes around here can be a bit...sketchy due to a few reasons, but any input would be appreciated.

I've heard that Oleta might be OK but I'm not sure about the boat traffic there. Also I recall Tiger Tail Lake was mentioned to me at some point, though when I first was told of this place they mentioned you needed to have an instructor there to dive.
 
Been living diving the upper keys the last 15 years
I don’t know of any except what you mentioned
 
Tigertail lake is horrible green murky water at all times, lol. BHB usually has horrible viz when it's windy. Green murky water close close to home would be better than green murky water with a far drive. :)
 
Tigertail lake is horrible green murky water at all times, lol. BHB usually has horrible viz when it's windy. Green murky water close close to home would be better than green murky water with a far drive. :)
But can you just show up there as a certified diver with out an instructor?
 
South Florida has so much to offer. On days that I was hoping to dive but can't due to conditions, I just shift course and enjoy something else. Hike one of the awesome parks/nature preserves to animal/bird watch, visit Gumbo Limbo Nature Ctr or Loggerhead Marine Life Center, walk the beach, kayak or paddleboard in the sheltered intracoastal, visit the Everglades, etc, etc. There are too many other things to do that are better options IMO than diving in green water. I did that enough when I lived in Indiana.

As far as other options, I'm not aware of any beyond what has already been listed.
 
But can you just show up there as a certified diver with out an instructor?
No, I was just commenting that's it's always murky, hehe. Did a couple classes there, horrible viz, lol. The best local place for practicing, etc. when it's blown out is really a pool. :)
 
South Florida has so much to offer. On days that I was hoping to dive but can't due to conditions, I just shift course and enjoy something else. Hike one of the awesome parks/nature preserves to animal/bird watch, visit Gumbo Limbo Nature Ctr or Loggerhead Marine Life Center, walk the beach, kayak or paddleboard in the sheltered intracoastal, visit the Everglades, etc, etc. There are too many other things to do that are better options IMO than diving in green water. I did that enough when I lived in Indiana.

As far as other options, I'm not aware of any beyond what has already been listed.
Been living here pretty much my whole life, so I know full well of all the other opportunities and activities. I personally enjoy kayaking quite a bit and know of a few spots for windy days. But you know sometimes I just gotta get my dive on, so green water it is.
 
Really the only other option is to head west to Venice, or do non diving activities.
I hear ya though.
 
There is a Lake Denton near Sebring, FL, that has scuba diving on weekends. Fresh water, fairly clean. Yet boring. The biggest things living there are turtles. I'd say 100% rec divers, have not seen anyone with two tanks.

Wiki page says the deepest is 51 feet, the measurement prolly taken during the biblical flood.

Hotels/food are very cheap, can stay a night.
 
https://xf2.scubaboard.com/community/forums/cave-diving.45/

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