I am planning a trip to Fla in Feb and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on good dive charter operators in the Daytona area. Any comments on the diving that time of year?
Daytona Fla area dive operators
- Thread starter herman
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Herman,
I will also be down that way in February and came across Sea Dog Divers. Here is the link:www.seadogdiver.com. I preface the following comments by stating I never dove with them before and after finding out about them from previous threads on this board, I gave them a call to "get a feel for them." I had a good conversation with one of the instructors and they even took the time to email various info my way. I plan on spending several days with them doing wreck diving and a day or so of spearfishing. Their rates seem fairly reasonable as well.
Best Regards
Don Costanza
I will also be down that way in February and came across Sea Dog Divers. Here is the link:www.seadogdiver.com. I preface the following comments by stating I never dove with them before and after finding out about them from previous threads on this board, I gave them a call to "get a feel for them." I had a good conversation with one of the instructors and they even took the time to email various info my way. I plan on spending several days with them doing wreck diving and a day or so of spearfishing. Their rates seem fairly reasonable as well.
Best Regards
Don Costanza
pdoege
Contributor
Hello -
I've dived with the Sea Dogs several times now. It is a pretty good operation. A bit basic, no flash.
They are not as newbie friendly as some of the boats in Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm. They actually assume you know how to use your equipment.
Lots of hunters on the boats.
The reef is nowhere near as nice as the southern reefs. Not much the boat can do about that!
Still, there are plenty of fish, lobsters, eels, etc to be seen.
I would dive them again, no problems.
Sea Dogs is the only operation where I have encountered random other divers wearing BP/Wings. They are close to cave country.
Peter Doege
I've dived with the Sea Dogs several times now. It is a pretty good operation. A bit basic, no flash.
They are not as newbie friendly as some of the boats in Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm. They actually assume you know how to use your equipment.
Lots of hunters on the boats.
The reef is nowhere near as nice as the southern reefs. Not much the boat can do about that!
Still, there are plenty of fish, lobsters, eels, etc to be seen.
I would dive them again, no problems.
Sea Dogs is the only operation where I have encountered random other divers wearing BP/Wings. They are close to cave country.
Peter Doege
OP
I had seen Sea Dogs web site, looks like I may give them a try. From the sounds of it, they are fine for what I want. Take me to the site, give me a dive briefing and show me the exit.
Don, at present, my plans are to dive on 2/22 and or 2/23. Maybe we will be there at the same time, always nice the meet a board member in person.
Don, at present, my plans are to dive on 2/22 and or 2/23. Maybe we will be there at the same time, always nice the meet a board member in person.
herman
Have a great time with them. I will be in Atlanta starting the 23rd so unfortunatly I'll miss you by a few days. If it were not for that, I'd welcome the chance to hook up with other board members.
Regardless, have a safe and enjoyable time.
Best Regards
Don
Have a great time with them. I will be in Atlanta starting the 23rd so unfortunatly I'll miss you by a few days. If it were not for that, I'd welcome the chance to hook up with other board members.
Regardless, have a safe and enjoyable time.
Best Regards
Don
DiverDave76
Contributor
Sea Dogs are actually in New Smyrna, just below Daytona. Dove with them last summer and have to agree that there is no flash but a good operation. They do tend to cater more to people with a fair amount of experience. When diving that area you really have to get out there. The good spearfishing is actually on some ledges about 24 miles out. The water can really get rough and vis drop really quick. A few wrecks (more like trash piles) to dive on a little closer in but still an hour boat ride.
Typically when in New Smyrna I'll get up early and drive the extra 2.5 hours to West Palm and dive with friends there. Much better diving down there.
Remember that the water will be cold near Daytona. Probably mid to low 60's. The water in West Palm is currently 70 degrees. Won't get much colder than that. The reefs in West Palm are only about 10 minutes out of the marina. Incredible marine life due to how close the Gulfstream comes in there. Well worth the drive time if you have time.
Dave
Typically when in New Smyrna I'll get up early and drive the extra 2.5 hours to West Palm and dive with friends there. Much better diving down there.
Remember that the water will be cold near Daytona. Probably mid to low 60's. The water in West Palm is currently 70 degrees. Won't get much colder than that. The reefs in West Palm are only about 10 minutes out of the marina. Incredible marine life due to how close the Gulfstream comes in there. Well worth the drive time if you have time.
Dave
