East Central Florida July

[flatlanddiver]

Hi from central Canada:
My son and I (both recent PADI OW grads) are looking for a good dive boat for novice divers. I have heard a lot about spring diving in Florida but can't seem to find anyone in the Ft. Lauderdale area I to dive with in the ocean. We would like to do one or two reef dives (with wildlife) and a dive to a mid level wreck. Can anyone help us with a name or reference to a good operator in that region? While wife and other son spend a day at Disney world, we would like to see the real underworld.
Any assistance will be appreciated.
thanks
Flatlanddiver

 

[chuckrt]

Hi Flatlander,

You are talking about some pretty good distances between everything here. Most of the springs are one to two hours from the Orlando area in a north west direction. Orlando is ?two hours from Ft. Lauderdale? If you are going to be in Orlando you may try some of the local dive shops in the area. If you are in WDW you may want to do DiveQuest at EPCOT. It is a bit pricey for a one tank dive but you get reefs rays sharks and fun. You may also want to get in touch with NETDOC on this site, as he lives in the area.

I wish you good luck and good diving on your vacation.

chuckrt

 

[sharpenu]

Try www.fldiving.com

 

[Wendy]

You are pretty much covering the whole state. The spring sare about 1 - 2 hours from Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale is about 3 hours from Orlando.

In The Ft. Lauderdale area try www.scubaexcursion.com. There are some shallow wrecks in this area that these boats go to ( in the 60' range) and some nice reefs as well.

If you don't want to drive 3 hours, you could go dive in West Palm Beach, which is like 2 hours. The diving here is drift diving and is the 60' range mostly. You don't do anything but just let the current carry you. Try www.therampage.com. Also in West Palm is the Blue Heron Blvd Bridge. Its probably the best shore dive in the state, very shallow, max depth is like 15', avg depth is 10', its free to dive and has everything and more that you would see on a reef. Best time to go is enter the water 1/2 hour before high tide and exit 1/2 hour after high tide. This was the current isn't bad if there at all. You enter at Phil Foster Park on the left hand side of the road after crossing the bridge. If you decide to do this, message me, and I can send you more details.

Also in Jupiter, FL there is some drift diving on some ledges (bottom is at 80' and top of reef at 60'). Try www.jupiterdivecenter.com).

If you need any spring diving help let me know, I'm up there alot. And also I live by Disney, so I can give you some Orlando advise as well.