Thanks for clearing that up... Now, you are looking at the beginning of October, or the end of October? The reason I ask this question is that the Gulf temperatures begin to drop at the end of October... Not just a little... They can go from lower 80s at the beginning of October to the lower 70s/upper 60s toward the end of October. By Thanksgiving shore temps are around 64 F and deep temps can reach the 50s
If you will be here toward the beginning of October, I suggest a meet-n-greet with other ScubaBoard members at Venice beach for some shark tooth hunting (don't worry, these teeth are over a million years old). Your family will enjoy hanging out on the beach and you will have memories to take home as well as cool "toys" for the kids (If you find enough of them, you can give them away at Halloween and be the coolest family in your neighborhood) VB is about 45 miles from Desoto, but it is Interstate driving and we can direct you right in.
Be aware, Tampa Bay itself is the 3rd most shark infested waters in the world. No one dives the Bay. We dive the Gulf of Mexico to the north or south of the bay.
Let us know the time frame and we can suggest additional options for diving the area...