Boat diving with a new diver Southern Florida

[ajtoady]

Merry Christmas ALL!! Doing a S. Florida trip with my newly certed daughter in early Jan. and am looking for some references to charters for Key Largo, and basically any thing on the southern tip. As stated she is a newby and as such has no experience jumping off of boats, yet. We will be getting in some shore dives here and there before we get to the Keys so as to refresh her skills. I would like to have her experience as much as possible but do realize I may have to hire a guide so as not to annoy other divers. Any and all info is appreciated. Thanks, Tony

 

[dvankirk]

I like Quiescence in Key Largo. Dove with them last week and are always a good group. They have six-packs that put less people on whatever site you go to and will even go out if only 2 people are scheduled. If you want a bigger boat, though, I've been out with Rainbow Reef or Sea Dwellers and both are good.

2 of the operators in Key West are having boat problems right now. I dove with Lost Reef on Saturday on the Vandy and had a good time. They did make me have a guide for my wife since she didn't have her advanced cert (even though she is nitrox and has done most of the NC wrecks between 100' and 130'), but what could I do. I was scheduled to go out with Southpoint, but they were having engine problems with the boat (might be fixed now, though).

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

If diving in Broward, Fort Lauderdale area I'm available as a guide. would love to be of your service.

Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk 4

 

[iluvtheocean]

I'll put my vote in for Jenny -- she definitely knows the area for shore & boat dives, has a lot of patience, and your diving will generally improve by listening & watching her

 

[ajtoady]

Scuba Jenny, as soon as we have an "itinerary", such as it is, I will contact you and more than likely take you up on your offer. We will be passing down thru that area. Are there any shore dives near by or only boats? We will be traveling with all of our own gear,,,, tanks, regs, computers, etc. Also many thanks to the responses so far!! Tony

 

[iluvtheocean]

lots of shore dives in ft lauderdale area.... from Hollywood to Lauderdale by the Sea... plenty of stuff to do after a dive as well (depending on the age of your daughter that is the activities will vary)

 

[ajtoady]

My "buddy" daughter is 35. Wanted to do something special for her and with her, and her alone. Done all kinds of things with her brother and, well , I wish I had not waited so long. She and I are so excited we may need to get some "depends" to wear on the drive down!!! Only problem is her schedule is keeping it a little shorter than the two weeks I originally proposed.

 

[bilsant]

plus one in boldface large font for Jenny....she's a great guide.

Pay attention and you'll not only see more, but you'll be down longer.

 

[Steve_C]

Not all boats are created equal. For Jan. diving in the Keys with a new cert I like
-boats with easy entry and egress from the water
-stable boats.
-ability to get out of the weather. On a cool day in Jan being able to get out of the wind is a big factor.

I am planning some early Jan dives out of the Holiday Inn Marina and for those reasons I am going with Ocean Divers.
-Big boats with lots of sheltered area. Plenty of room for each diver to get gear ready, move around, etc.
-Low to the water so easy to get in and out
-Very stable boat if a bit choppy
-Will go out with only 2 divers. Done that several times with them.
-Routinely run twice a day

 

[iluvtheocean]

My "buddy" daughter is 35. Wanted to do something special for her and with her, and her alone. Done all kinds of things with her brother and, well , I wish I had not waited so long. She and I are so excited we may need to get some "depends" to wear on the drive down!!! Only problem is her schedule is keeping it a little shorter than the two weeks I originally proposed.

there's plenty of nightlife then --- Hard Rock is fun to do after a day of diving or the boardwalks ...