Diving from your own boat...

[Alex1524]

Hello everyone, I joined the forums a few months back but havent been on since. I recently bought a boat and I have a quick question for all you divers out there!

When I take my boat out how do I locate dive sites? Obviously a Charter Boat knows where they are going but how do I figure out where to go? Thanks!

 

[enterkin]

Since your profile says you're in Ft. Lauderdale you might want to try the Florida Fish and Wildlife artificial reef information page at Artifical Reefs Information.

Also I'd ask dive shops and other divers.

 

[DennisS]

Check out Ray Mcallisters- Diving locations, Boynton inlet to Dania Pier. It's a good start and should keep you busy for awhile. That and a GPS should do you.

There are three parallel reef lines along Broward county, if you check them out with a depth recorder you should be able to find all the dive sites you want. When you find a good one, mark down the numbers so you can return to it.

Be careful with the currents and use a big anchor with 20 ft of heavy chain. One of those ring and float combos makes retreival easier.

Dr Ray also has a shore diving book that covers about the same area, some of the shore dives would make good sites to start your boat diving.

 

[Dsix36]

There are a couple of books out that have the local dive spots in them. They give GPS coordinates, and with the use of a depth finder are very easy to locate.

Your LDS will be able to point you to the books.

 

[ladbak1]

GPS and McAllisers! That will do it. Possibly a fish finder to "see" the bottom.

 

[nannymouse]

Check Flashearth.com or maps.google.com
sometimes the sattelite photos show reefs and other underwater features.
DO NOT use them for accurate navigation, just a rough idea. -N

 

[String]

Site location...

Local knowledge, charts, GPS, echo sounder.

...and if you want new wrecks - a LOT of patience.

Charts can give you an idea of bottom topography and sea bed composition such as rock, sand, mud and any drop offs etc. Echo sounder can refine that to see if it looks worth diving or if its a flat featureless bottom.

 

[lazyturtle]

Try:
Fort Lauderdale Scuba diving sites and snorkel spots with GPS coordinates - Dive Spots

or go on some charter trips with your GPS, just be subtle about it...they generally don't like you doin this as they (rightly so) see it as a way to lose customers

A word of advice (something I see people doing ALL the time too): DO NOT leave your boat unattended. Make sure that the person you leave onboard is able to pull anchor (or tie a bouy off and leave the anchor) and come pick you up if there is any sort of emergency or you are unable to return to the boat (for whatever reason).

 

[danemeyer20]

Scuba diving sites and GPS destinations: Wrecks, Coral Reefs, Reviews, Trip Charters. - Dive Spots

Every site in the area, now all you need is a gps...

 

[fisheater]

Buy dive boat captains LOTS of beers.