Clearwater visit ... worth bringing my gear?

[SanDiegoSidemount]

I'm going on a family trip to Clearwater/Sarasota this coming weekend. I really wasn't thinking about diving, but if there's something worth seeing, and a dive operation worth going with, I could probably pack some essential gear and squeeze in a half-day of diving.

Opinions on any good half day sites/operators? Also, what are conditions and water temps like this time of year?

Also, are there local ops that would provide me a pair of AL80s with DIN valves? I'd be bringing my own travel sidemount rigging, regs, etc.

Or ... are there any good fresh water sites near Clearwater/Sarasota? All these years, the only fresh water I ever dove was a swimming pool. My wife has snorkeled Weeki Wachee spring, and says it was beautiful.

 

[kelemvor]

I'm going on a family trip to Clearwater/Sarasota this coming weekend. I really wasn't thinking about diving, but if there's something worth seeing, and a dive operation worth going with, I could probably pack some essential gear and squeeze in a half-day of diving.

Opinions on any good half day sites/operators? Also, what are conditions and water temps like this time of year?

Also, are there local ops that would provide me a pair of AL80s with DIN valves? I'd be bringing my own travel sidemount rigging, regs, etc.

The local NOAA buoys report gulf temps in the Clearwater area around 73-74f. You might find gulf dives a little boring compared to the awesome kelp forests where you're from. I don't think you'll find boats providing tanks with DIN valves, you'd better pack an adapter for yoke tanks.

You could probably rent a steel tank with a din valve from a shop and carry it to a boat. Off the top of my head, you might try Tackle Shack or Sunshine Scuba for such a rental:

Tackle Shack 800.537.6099
Sunshine 727.585.0938
Other shops in the area that come to mind are "Bill Jackson's" and "Mac's Sports" but I think they're less likely to have what you want.

If you're interested in fossils, there is great fossil diving at Venice beach (Sarasota area). You can do that boat or shore. It's low vis usually, but I've seen divers pull large megalodon tooth fossils out of the water a few times.

If you think you might not be wearing a full wetsuit in those temps I'd recommend a skin and gloves. There's been a lot of jellies recently.

If you dive Clearwater, there's a number of reputable boats. Here's two:
Scuba Diving Clearwater Florida - Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters - Best Gulf Coast Diving - Dive Boat
Welcome To Dive Clearwater!

We have a number of artificial reefs that are decent. Here's the locations: Pinellas County Utilities Artificial Reef Map

Any of the local captains will be familiar with all of these.

If you like sharks, the area near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the largest hammerhead breeding ground on the world (according to some documentary I saw during shark week a few years ago). It's a high traffic area for ships, so it might not be the safest choice for a dive.

 

[SanDiegoSidemount]

I'm tending towards a morning trip to Weeki Wachee spring, if only for the novelty of diving clear, fresh water. None of us have done that before. Bonus that there are water slides, etc. for the non-divers in our group.

Anyone have experience diving there? Is it actually fun, or just a circus?

Bummer that the location requires a registered DM to guide you, but I guess that's to be expected at a state park facility.

 

[Katch]

If you want something unique, go and do a snorkel with the manatees. You may be about a 30-45 minute drive to Crystal River.

(with non-divers in your group, I'd say this is a must-do)

http://www.americanprodiving.com/

 

[kelemvor]

I've done weeki a few times. It's kind of a novelty, but I enjoyed it. I did see a manatee there once. Lots of turtles and small fish. It's worth doing but probably 60-90 minute drive north from Clearwater depending on traffic. One of the nice things about this location is that the topside of the park is quite nice. They have a nice swimming area, bar with real drinks, animal "shows" for the kids where they talk and show various reptiles. There's even a short pontoon boat ride down the river where you can see a bald eagle's nest among other things. Park entrance is included with your dive fee. If you have the family with you, they MIGHT be allowed to go into the underwater viewing room and watch you dive. Not 100% sure about that, call and ask.

There are limited time windows when they allow divers in due to the mermaid show. There are also shops that do classes at this site, so there's a good chance you'll be sharing the spring with new divers. The times I've been there, the "guide" simply got us in the gate and let us do our thing. There was no babysitting. He did offer to get in and show me around but I declined.

I've been there with "Ocean Sports" (727) 733-1919 and "Mac's Sports" (727) 442-9931. They seem to alternate days that they are there so you'll have to pick the one that happens to go the day you want to dive.

Unfortunately, the mermaids won't be in the water with you

 

[SanDiegoSidemount]

If you want something unique, go and do a snorkel with the manatees. You may be about a 30-45 minute drive to Crystal River.

(with non-divers in your group, I'd say this is a must-do)

Snorkel Manatee Tours here in crystal river

This is quite the busy operation. I called them and they gave me loads of options for Friday: manatee snorkel in the morning, choice of many cavern dives in the afternoon, etc. I guess we're packing our gear?