First Dives After Certification

[giles45shop]

My 11 YO daugher and in-laws are currently in class and will be certified (hopefully) on August 1st. I'm looking for some ideas on the best places within 1-3 hours of Tampa FL to do our first dives after we get certified.

I live on a relatively clear freshwater lake, so back yard dives are always possible. However, there's not a bunch to look at as it's about 20' max and we've snorkeled the heck out of it (I grew up on it).

Some of the criteria I'm thinking of are:

1. Safe place. I can't go more than 40' deep (nor do I want to yet) w/ the daughter. In-laws are also newbies, and I don't want them to have a bad experience. By default, I'm kind of the pack leader.

2. Not crowded. We need somewhere we can take our time getting ready and not feel pressured. I'm thinking cattle boats are a bad idea.

3. Not too far away. I don't want to drive all day.

4. Possibility for instruction. Depending on the place, it may be nice to have an experienced person to dive with. If it's a safe, easy place, I would feel okay about doing this on our own.

5. Neat things to see.

Any suggestions for either spring or salt water places would be greatly appreciated. I have a copy of Underwater FL, and there's lots of places, but I don't have a good feel for what's appropriate for newbies. I'll also discuss w/ our instructor.

Thanks,

John

 

[TravisT]

I'm not sure what you classify as 'neat' but Blue Springs really got me wanting to do some scuba diving. It is a spring that you can go down into that is dove regularly. It's pretty big and there is no 'line' or anything to get in so you can take your time gearing up and getting in the water.

Although it's rare during the summer, when I was there last month there was one manatee that swam up the river. So that wasp retty cool. I was snorkeling and am getting newly certified. the max depth you can go I heard is about 60', there is a sign down in it I heard that says 'don't pass this point'...

I wouldn't hesitate swimming down in it 40' though.

 

[giles45shop]

Thanks for the info. I'll check into Blue Spring.

John