Advice on Florida dive centres

[Jack Tripp]

Hi I am going to Florida on a fly drive package from UK in early 2007. I would like advice on small friendly dive centres going south from Orlando. One consideration is that my daughter, aged 14, wants to learn to dive. So while I am off diving I would hope she would be getting some quality instruction. So a small operation, friendly and in a good location would fit the bill perfectly.

All replies very much appreciated.

Jack "T"

 

[scubafool]

I would ask a moderator to move this the Florida Conch Divers subforum. There are a lot of people there who might not check this area of ScubaBoard all that often, and you should get plenty of advice there.

 

[badandy2006]

well my LDS is Sea Dragons Dive Shop in Rockledge about 35 minutes east of orlando

www.seadragonsdiveshop.com great people there

 

[ScottB]

Jackie with Seminole Scuba

I got my friend a discover course with her.. she did it in her private pool.. took real good care of my friend =)

http://www.seminolescuba.com/index.cfm?SECTION=658

I would not hesitate to take ANYONE to her =) She was wonderful... much better then my OW instructor.. and I've watched a few other OW courses taught by other instructors.. She is the best I've seen =)

-Scott

 

[WPBdiver]

Jack,

My friend Sandy at www.oceanquestscuba.com is an incredible instructor for kids. She certified my 14 year old niece last year. Sandy runs her own 12 diver boat, the "Sandy Sunday", off Palm Beach. Her operation is extremely friendly and family run. Palm Beach is a 2 1/2 hour drive south of Orlando, and has some of the best and most diverse diving in Florida.

 

[String]

Orlando is rather a long way from the sea.

The keys are the main dive area in florida but thats a good 5hrs or more driving away.

A bit nearer you could look at Tampa area or possible somewhere level on the east coast.

I went to the keys after orlando and there are literally hundreds of dive centres all offering nearly exactly the same thing at the same prices so not a lot to choose between them. Wasnt that impressed with the diving in key largo though - the reef isnt in great condition, lots of bare patches and a few other things.

It maybe an idea to try to get your daughter to do her confined and theory in the UK before going on the holiday so when you get there she can just do the open water dives and not waste holiday time in a classroom or pool. (a referral)

 

[Bullswan]

Jack,

My friend Sandy at www.oceanquestscuba.com is an incredible instructor for kids. She certified my 14 year old niece last year. Sandy runs her own 12 diver boat, the "Sandy Sunday", off Palm Beach. Her operation is extremely friendly and family run. Palm Beach is a 2 1/2 hour drive south of Orlando, and has some of the best and most diverse diving in Florida.

I'll second this....... My son (age 11 ) and I just OW Certified with Sandy and she couldn't have been a nicer and more helpful. We had a blast.

 

[cudachaser]

Yeah...Sandy is a super person, very funny too

 

[Steve_Dives]

I'll second the idea of completing the confined work at the home shop and taking a referral to complete the OW. They do it all the time for the northern divers who don't want to kick around a murky quarry for the check-out. My LDS charged me about $40 for the referral paperwork, and the Florida shop charged around $225.

Something else to consider would be some of the freshwater springs. Some will be crystal clear and warm (70F or 21C), for a spring that is. There are some within a couple hours of Orlando. They don't require a boat ride, and therefore are less likely to be canceled due to weather. But the two I had been in weren't exactly worth travelling internationally to see, unless you're already in the area.

Sorry, no specific instructor recommendations.

 

[mollie]

Hi there! I am also going to recommend Sandy.(www.oceanquestscuba.com) She certified my 12 year old daughter this past summer. My daughter was nervous about being in the water, but Sandy eased all her fears. Sandy is awesome with the kids. You can't go wrong with Oceanquest. Good Luck!