dive ops Boynton, Boca, & Pompano

[robint]

We are getting ready to book a 5 day dive trip to this area and would like some input on the dive ops. I have seen recommendations for some of these but I would like info on who NOT to try and why. We plan to dive 2 or more dives per day: 2 days in Boynton, then 2 days in Boca/Pompano, with one day option for either spot. We love wrecks and reefs, big and small animals, we love diving and have 180+ dives so that isn't an issue. (Plus we plan to do Nitrox.)
Boynton - Splashdown Divers
Boca - The Diversity, LadyGoDiver
Pompano - Parrot Island divers, Dive Seahorse

we want to be able to dive our own profiles and not be stuck on a cattleboat full of beginners or students.

thanks!

robint

 

[BIGSAGE136]

It looks like you have all the info you need.

 

[detroit diver]

We are getting ready to book a 5 day dive trip to this area and would like some input on the dive ops. I have seen recommendations for some of these but I would like info on who NOT to try and why. We plan to dive 2 or more dives per day: 2 days in Boynton, then 2 days in Boca/Pompano, with one day option for either spot. We love wrecks and reefs, big and small animals, we love diving and have 180+ dives so that isn't an issue. (Plus we plan to do Nitrox.)
Boynton - Splashdown Divers
Boca - The Diversity, LadyGoDiver
Pompano - Parrot Island divers, Dive Seahorse

we want to be able to dive our own profiles and not be stuck on a cattleboat full of beginners or students.

thanks!

robint

Sneak up to West Palm and book a dive with PuraVida. Great op, small boat. Great diving.

 

[KBeck]

Boynton--Splashdown's DM is scubakevdm here on the board; I bet he'd be happy to hear from you. Alternately, at the same marina is Loggerhead, which is a smaller boat.

Diversity is my favorite op in the Pompano/Deerfield area; the boat set up can be awkward, but the captain is great.

 

[Tom Winters]

I was passing Diversity in the channel on Sunday as they were going out. It looked pretty crowded under there - 12 pax plus divemasters - weekends, they can get a lot of student divers from Force-E, plus that is one long ride from Deerfield out to the channel. It can be a little tough to do some of the deeper dives with Tony - maybe during the week, it's better.
During the week, Captain Ray on Narcosis in Riviera Beach leaves the dock at 10am so you don't have to fight the commuters.
A good 6-pack a little farther south that will let you dive your own profile whether you're doing a 70'-deep wreck or the RBJ/Corey n Chris at 270' is Oliver at Avid Charters.
http://www.narcosisdivecharters.com/
http://www.aviddivercharters.com/
What hotels are you looking at?

 

[robint]

What hotels are you looking at?

We are looking for something in Pompano-Deerfield region: small, clean, and diver friendly near the beach. I hate big, fancy hotels (I used to live in Daytona Beach & worked at one) and we don't like dragging wet dive gear through the lobby. I have the "Ft. lauderdale small lodgings " booklet and there are several possibles in there but we are always game for a recommendation.

robin

 

[Tom Winters]

I guess the Boca Raton Resort is out then. There's the Radisson Bridge Resort a little east of that - kinda nice and quiet - very lower-key and right on A1A.
http://www.radisson.com/bocaratonfl_resort
Deerfield Beach has a whole little cluster of smallish seaside stuff, but the traffic and parking can be a nightmare. The new parking garage near the 7-11 sure helps. Pompano Beach I can't help you with - farther south than I would care to stay.

 

[lhpdiver]

We are getting ready to book a 5 day dive trip to this area and would like some input on the dive ops. I have seen recommendations for some of these but I would like info on who NOT to try and why. We plan to dive 2 or more dives per day: 2 days in Boynton, then 2 days in Boca/Pompano, with one day option for either spot. We love wrecks and reefs, big and small animals, we love diving and have 180+ dives so that isn't an issue. (Plus we plan to do Nitrox.)
Boynton - Splashdown Divers
Boca - The Diversity, LadyGoDiver
Pompano - Parrot Island divers, Dive Seahorse

we want to be able to dive our own profiles and not be stuck on a cattleboat full of beginners or students.

thanks!

robint

I'm pretty familiar with 2 of the boats you mention. I think it is fair to say the weekend AM is set aside for students/classes. All of the people you mention should be able to give you their schedules. Some are available online. In the Pompano area, if you see (Balls, Pompano Drop-off, Moorings, Nursery, Copenhagen), it's really all the same dive and is probably set up for a student run. Having said that, my wife and I probably dive that site about 40 times a year (alot off the whaler) as there is more varied life there than most places. In Boca, if you see (Sea Emperor,Aqua Zoo) they are the same dive. It's a great place to take students - and you might enjoy it as well as there are some very friendly rays, a couple morays and a large grouper.

As for diving your own profile, I think for most of the boats you mention you will not have a DM in the water with you. But - you probably shouldn't try to impress the other people on the boat with how long you can suck air out of a 100 cu ft steel tank....

Hotel-wise I, also, like the Radisson in Boca (also known as the Bridge hotel). We stayed there for about 4 weekends while house hunting 8 years ago. That was in the July/August timeframe. It might be a little pricey at the moment. Even if you don't stay there, it is a very nice place to have a quiet lunch, right under the bridge at the Boca Inlet. Really a Boca gem. Otherwise we have stayed at the Howard Johnson's in Deerfield Beach.

FWIW - probably my three favorite wrecks are; Jim Atria, Captain Dan and Rodeo (but I'd rather dive the outside of the third reef).

Good Luck

 

[moneysavr]

Splashdown is a great choice out of Boynton,They will get you guys on the dive you like,and If you ask ahead They run out to a Barge-Wreck is a nice dive,Nice boat Great Crew! And Kevin the DM is one of the best! The Reefs are real nice off Boynton.
have a Great trip!
A good central location is the University BestWestern,BocaRaton-Federal -rates can be had cheap,they have nice place,Pool,Free Breakfast-the basics,
my 2-cents,
Brad