Beginning diving in Florida

[divecouple]

Hi Florida divers!

Hubby and I are looking to take our just earned c cards out for a spin. What would you recommend for some easy shallow diving. Marathon perhaps??? We will be traveling with another couple and leaving the kids at the hotel while diving so it's important that the hotel have a nice beach area, pool and something for the kids to do. Ages 15, 10 (theris) and 6 (ours). Is there any shore diving so we wont be too far from the kids? I dont want to be gone on a boat all day long. Maybe the kids will have to stay. We are still trying to figure out how to enjoy this sport with our 6 yr old in tow.

Anyway I know we will want to stick to easy diving since this will be our first "real" diving so your recommendations are appreciated! Do you get tired of answering these kinds of questions? Sorry!

 

[stu_in_fl]

In Key Largo there is Pennekamp State Park (http://pennekamppark.com/) - it has a dive shop and a pontoon boat that takes people to Molassas Reef - it also has different boats for snorkeller and also a glass bottom boat tour. If they aren't interested in the boats, there is a beach there where they can swim etc. and some picnic tables (BBQ?!)...its about 40 miles from Marathon....
....Not so familiar with whats on offer in Marathon - there is some great reef diving which would be suitable for you - here's a link to Marathon in general : http://www.fla-keys.com/marathon/

 

[BIGSAGE136]

In Key Largo there is Pennekamp State Park (http://pennekamppark.com/) - it has a dive shop and a pontoon boat that takes people to Molassas Reef - it also has different boats for snorkeller and also a glass bottom boat tour. If they aren't interested in the boats, there is a beach there where they can swim etc. and some picnic tables (BBQ?!)...its about 40 miles from Marathon....
....Not so familiar with whats on offer in Marathon - there is some great reef diving which would be suitable for you - here's a link to Marathon in general : http://www.fla-keys.com/marathon/

Excellent advice.

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

In Key Largo there is Pennekamp State Park (http://pennekamppark.com/) - it has a dive shop and a pontoon boat that takes people to Molassas Reef - it also has different boats for snorkeller and also a glass bottom boat tour. If they aren't interested in the boats, there is a beach there where they can swim etc. and some picnic tables (BBQ?!)...its about 40 miles from Marathon....
....Not so familiar with whats on offer in Marathon - there is some great reef diving which would be suitable for you - here's a link to Marathon in general : http://www.fla-keys.com/marathon/

across the seven mile bridge on Big Pine Key you'll find Bahia Honda State Park, with most of the amenities of Pennekamp, plus a wonderful natural beach (a rarity in the Keys) on the Atlantic side. For diving and snorkeling, Key Largo and Looe Key (accessed by boat from Big Pine Key) are hard to beat. Unfortunately, shore diving in the Keys is practically non-existent. In Key Largo, Key Largo Resorts and Marina (at mile marker 100 oceanside) is home to the Holiday Inn, Ramada, and Marina Del Mar, and offers lots of activities and amenities within easy walking distance. Enjoy!

 

[deepstops]

Hi Florida divers!

Hubby and I are looking to take our just earned c cards out for a spin. What would you recommend for some easy shallow diving. Marathon perhaps??? We will be traveling with another couple and leaving the kids at the hotel while diving so it's important that the hotel have a nice beach area, pool and something for the kids to do. Ages 15, 10 (theris) and 6 (ours). Is there any shore diving so we wont be too far from the kids? I dont want to be gone on a boat all day long. Maybe the kids will have to stay. We are still trying to figure out how to enjoy this sport with our 6 yr old in tow.

Anyway I know we will want to stick to easy diving since this will be our first "real" diving so your recommendations are appreciated! Do you get tired of answering these kinds of questions? Sorry!

Looe Key just south of Marathon is very nice and pretty shallow as well.