Diving Ft. Myers

[Bart B]

I'm getting certified this month and looking to do my 4 open water dives in FT.Myers Fla.
Can anyone recommend a good shop that can take care of me?
How is the diving there?

 

[emcbride81]

I recommend Dean's Dive Center. I just finished my Rescue class there and was thoroughly impressed by the operation. The owner Brent is a good guy and Charles, one of the instructors was awesome!

The diving in that area is not good. Unless you go aways out to some wrecks there is nothing to see. I think a lot of shops take you to the springs or to the east coast. You should call them and ask.

 

[Jupiter31]

As previously posted, I would go across the state to Palm Beach county, or down to the Keys.

If you just want to get your dives in it may not matter; however as its winter you need to check to see if an operator is even going out.

 

[Glock Diver]

I took the Rescue class with emcbride... Dean's Dive Center is a good operation, they teach PADI classes. If you're looking into a NAUI certification, I think Capt Pete's Dive Outfitters teaches that curriculum.

Local Ft Myers diving? Not much from shore, except maybe Venice Beach about an hour away. Lot's of spearfishing off the coast of Ft Myers, and some wrecks, but like emcbride said, it's a long boat ride.

 

[matts1w]

Bart- we would love to do your check-outs, but they will be on the East Coast or Keys. Doing OW check-outs off Fort Myers simply isnt an option. The dive sites off Ft. Myers are hours off shore, boat rides can be miserable, the vis not so great, and help is very far away. Weather and wind often shuts the trips down- especially in the winter. In the same amount of time it takes to travel to dive sites in the Gulf, you can be in Key Largo. This is not meant as a downer, just a fact.

Call Brent at 239-489-0500 to discuss logistics and see if we can earn your business. If your schedule or whatever does not click with ours, we will gladly point you to quality operations in Fort Lauderdale/Pompano or the Keys that will be able to do your check-outs.

Thanks,
Matt S.
Dean's Dive Center
Deans Dive Center Dive Shop Fort Myers Florida Scuba Diving Classes

 

[Walter]

The diving off Fort Myers is awesome, but it's not for beginners. Dive off Fort Myers after you have some experience. Brent and Matt at Deans are great folks.

I'm not sure Captain Pete's still has NAUI, I believe they are all SDI these days.

 

[Bart B]

Thanks alot everyone for the replies.Looks like we'll do some driving then.

 

[emcbride81]

Bart- we would love to do your check-outs, but they will be on the East Coast or Keys. Doing OW check-outs off Fort Myers simply isnt an option. The dive sites off Ft. Myers are hours off shore, boat rides can be miserable, the vis not so great, and help is very far away. Weather and wind often shuts the trips down- especially in the winter. In the same amount of time it takes to travel to dive sites in the Gulf, you can be in Key Largo. This is not meant as a downer, just a fact.

Call Brent at 239-489-0500 to discuss logistics and see if we can earn your business. If your schedule or whatever does not click with ours, we will gladly point you to quality operations in Fort Lauderdale/Pompano or the Keys that will be able to do your check-outs.

Thanks,
Matt S.
Dean's Dive Center
Deans Dive Center Dive Shop Fort Myers Florida Scuba Diving Classes

Matt,

Are you the one that stole our folders and ran away to the springs?

 

[matts1w]

Matt,

Are you the one that stole our folders and ran away to the springs?

That would be me. Rest assured the folders enjoyed their bonus trip to Devil's Den and Rainbow River and are now resting comfortably in Charles' storage box.

 

[emcbride81]

I wish we could have gone to the springs and the folders went too FGCU!