Dive Charter Recommendations: Pompano/Lauderdale

[Stone]

. . . for the posts and PMs.

If anyone else wants dive operator info on these locations, there are some very knowledgable fellows that sent me details in PMs, and I am sure they would pass on the information if asked nicely.

I've booked Paradise Charters and Horizon Charters in Key Largo. Both are on mile marker 100 (right across the street from my condo). Paradise has two 6-packs and a 10-pack, while Horizon uses the big cattle-maran.

In Pompano Beach, I'll be spending the whole week with Mike Halprin's Seahorse . . . nothing but good reports on his operation (and, some of his family lives around the corner from where I dock my boat).

 

[moxie]

Seahorse is very good, provided they have enough business to warrant going out. If they don't go out, SFDH always has enough customers to go out. Although they carry a lot of divers on their boat, there are either 4 or 6 ladders, so it doesn't seem crowded. Their people are always a lot of fun. If you need nitrox you can get it at Force-E dive shop just down the street. If you're going on the Seahorse, they can get nitrox for you, if you prefer. I haven't tried them yet, but he dive operators up at Hillsboro inlet you have listed are highly recommended too. The advantage with them is they scoot right out to the ocean without the 15-20 min. ride up the canal from Pompano. There are many good wrecks in the area. My favorite is the Rodeo-25. The reef is very good, too, with lots of big eels. Good drift dives. Have fun, Moxie

 

[WreckWriter]

I never posted that review because our dive got blown out due to 5-7' seas. That in itself speaks well for Capt. Rob's judgement in that he cancelled the trip.

I'm scheduled to do a deep dive with them tomorrow morning. If we get it in I will post the promised review.

Tom

 

[WreckWriter]

As promised, here is my review of charter boat Lady Go Diver out of Deerfield Beach Florida.

I found the boat and crew to be excellent, quite possibly the best in the Ft. Lauderdale area!

The boat is large, comfortable and well-kept. She's laid out nicely for diving with wide benches, camera tables, and lots of room for yourself and your stuff. Speed was decent and diesel fumes were minimal. The ride was quite dry. Platform is wide, planked wood. Ladders are aluminum with square rope-wrapped steps. Water, sodas, and snacks were provided as part of the charter cost. I am told that they do not require a large group to run a trip.

Charter cost was excellent. On yesterday's trip, a tech trip, we paid only $55 per head. That's very good pricing for South Florida.

Capt. Rob was an excellent boat handler and very safety conscious. We utilized a grapnel float ball with a tag line attached to hook the wreck and divers were live-boated on and off the line. This is, in my opinion, the safest and most comfortable method of wreck diving in decent conditions.

Divemaster Bryan was also excellent. Friendly, safety conscious and a very hard worker. Besides his primary duties he also helped load and unload the boat (quite a feat with 10-15 tech divers). His safety gear was evident and in good condition.

OK, now that I've raved adaquately about these guys, there are a couple things you should be aware of. Not problems, just things you'll want to know.

First, they prefer cash or check payment. With notice they can probably manage credit cards but cash or check is much easier.

Second, they don't have rental equipment or fills. There is, however, a Dixie Divers shop within easy walking distance of the dock so this will not present a problem.

Lady Go Diver and her crew have my highest recommendation. When you visit South Florida, check them out and I'll be very surprised if the don't get yours also.

Tom Scott

 

[Stone]

Tom,

Did you book directly with Lady Go Diver, or through one of the charter middlemen?

Thanks for the report.

 

[WreckWriter]

Originally posted by Stone
Tom,

Did you book directly with Lady Go Diver, or through one of the charter middlemen?

Thanks for the report.

I booked directly with Rob by phone and email ( captfishfood@msn.com )

Tom

 

[Stone]

Thanks for the input (Tom and others).

I'll post a report on the Seahorse and whichever operator(s) I choose for my remaining open days.

 

[ckharlan66]

I just got an email response from Capt Rob. If nothing changes it looks like I will be diving through him June 17th. Thanks for the review Wreckwriter.

Whoo Hoo. First salt water dive. I hate being land locked.

Chad