Beach Site recomendations for JR divers

[MikeSK]

Greetings all, first post here, just discovered this site. Hope its not exclusive for club members only or anything

Anyway, I'm a long certified diver and my 12 year old daughter is getting certified by NW Divers in preperation for a school science trip out to the Channel Islands at the end of the school year. I want to make sure i get enough dives in her for her to be more than just comfortable in the water.

I have the 8th edition of the diving guide, but it doesn't really go into to much detail. I have a few questions on some beach times specifically, and if anyone can recommend some other sites that are suitable that will be great.

Looking at the Vero area, in particular Monster Hole, Wabasso, El Capitana and so on. Can anyone provide more details on those sites?

How is the entry on a "normal" day?
How does other sports interfere with diving? I understand Monster is a fav for fishing and surfing.
How is the vis? I hear its generally not to good being so close to shore for some of those.

I know about Lauderdale by the sea and thats one place I'll be taking her. Eventually we'll do some boat dives as well, and of course the springs. I'm really looking for "cheap" sites though where i can take her several times without worrying about expenses other than gas and rental gear.

Thanks for any info.

 

[pdoege]

Hello -

I was certified by NW earlier this year. It is a pretty good shop, you may just want to ask.

I've never been on a beach dive.

That being said, I have been to several of the various springs. Ginnie Springs is a good spot. Devil's Den is a bit smaller, but still nice. Both places can fill your tanks, so you can stay all day.

You should go on their next MarineLand trip. A great dive, and we stayed until we ran out of air.

For boat dives, I have been using Sea Dog Divers and the Starfish Enterprise.

Starfish is out of Lantana, so it will be a bit of a drive. The reef is much better down there. A bit of a trade off.

Sea Dogs is much closer. About an hour from Winter Springs.

Good luck,
Peter Doege

 

[USAF Diver]

Check out this page

http://www.irishmansoftware.com/beach_2.htm

I've not been to most of these sites, but the guy who runs that website really likes Pepper Park at Ft. Pierce.

 

[MikeSK]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of the next marineland, i think they have one scheduled for mid december. If my daughter is certified by then I just might do it.

I asked Lisa-i think thats her name-and she said she had never been to any of those sites either. They do have a trip scheduled for mid november to Lauderdale by the sea though.

Only problem i have with the springs is the cost of entry each time. Since i also have to rent most of her gear each time we go (we are getting a good discount because of the trip) it will add up pretty quick if I'm to get her enough dives before the school trip.

Thanks also for the website, i'll check it out.