Florida Charter Boat options for Sept./Oct.?

[drrich2]

Hi:

Normally a Bonaire bigot but family issues may lead me try out of some that good Florida diving I've read so much about on the forum. Would be looking at a trip maybe Sept. (off chance of Oct. or Nov.). Trying to coordinate my vacation with other people & tight staffing can be a bit of a nightmare, and hard to predict.

I'm a big guy, SAC around 0.65 cf/m so I can make do with 80 cf tanks but 100 or better yet 120's a plus. Nitrox certified, 160+ dives (mostly Bonaire), AOW, and also have SDI Solo cert. if that matters.

I like warm water; I can dive with no wet suit down to & including 75 degrees comfortably. I like lush reefs, but I also like big stuff.

I REALLY like the 'turn key' Bonaire experience at Buddy Dive; pick me up at the airport, take me to resort, breakfast buffet included, truck rental onsite, nitrox shore diving buffet, end of the week dump me back at the airport & I fly home.

In Florida, I'd be looking to get a hotel near the resort, dive 2 or 3 tanks/per day.

So far I am looking at:

1.) Jupiter Dive Center - I've watched videos & read threads. Looks like I'd sacrifice lush reef & gain big animals (Goliath Grouper, big turtles, hopefully some sharks!), and it'd be drift diving (I did 2 in Cozumel, so I take it follow the dive guide along & boat follows us for pickup?). There are a number of good op.s, but at $20/tank, JDC will rent me 120's. I LIKE 120's.

2.) Florida Keys - shallower classic warm water ocean coral reef diving. I don't know my way around the Florida Keys at all, don't know Key Largo from Key Whatever, don't want to have a brain hemorrhage trying to study & get up to snuff on it. The sheer number of dive op. options is off-putting. I think one called Rainbow Reef could put me up real close in a Holiday Inn (?) and that's in Key Largo.

If my wife comes, and if she dives, she'd probably like the Keys. I could enjoy either, but seeing the big stuff at Jupiter could be an issue. If wife comes, our infant daughter comes (maybe Grandma to babysit?).

Anything I else I need to be thinking of? Is weather dicey in either place that time of year? Is there some other dive op. in the Keys that's wonderful & I should check out? At least with West Palm Beach I know JDC is well-regarded; also seeing good stuff about Captain Sl8ter (? spelling) & some others, but know little about the best Keys ops.

Richard.

 

[BVickery]

IF you can swing it and your in Jupiter time it for Blue Heron Bridge?

I am kind of an air hog as well and Captain Sl8tr rents Steel 100 Nitrox tanks (about $20/tank). If you do the 3 dive day on a Thursday he has had pizza delivered out onto the boat. (there is a clip of it if you don't believe me).

 

[kelemvor]

It's a Courtyard Marriott that Rainbow Reef docks at. The boats are about 100' from the hotel elevator. It's a great setup and they do have a smaller boat they run out for deeper wreck dives, like spiegel grove. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to get larger than an al80 from them.

Silent world is a good op a mile or two up the road from Rainbow Reef. They have a technical shop and I'm pretty sure they'll rent you what you want. No hotel at their dock (although there is a nice bar/restaurant there).

Key Largo seems to have as many dive ops as Vegas does casinos. You can't get to one without passing 10 others.

I agree with BVickery; if you go to Jupiter you MUST make time to dive Blue Heron Bridge. It's a free shore dive, you just have to get there at high slack.

 

[djtimmy77]

If you come to Jupiter let me know. I could potentially take a day off of work to dive, and definitely can dive on the weekend. September is a great time to see the Goliath Groupers. I agree that the BHB is a dive you'd want to include.

Weather is generally favorable with calm seas that time of year, except of course if there is a tropical storm or hurricane!

The Holiday Inn Express in Juno Beach is reasonably priced, one block from the beach, has breakfast, close to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, and about 4-5 miles from either Jupiter dive boat.

 

[DiverAmy]

September weather could be dicey in either or both places - hurricane season (which officially ends on November 30), as can October; November, less so, but the water is a bit colder.

I like Conch Republic Divers in Tavernier, but I always make all my own arrangements when I dive in the Keys, so I cannot comment on to what extent, they or other Ops up here in my neck of the woods will set you up with accommodations, pick-up, and breakfast.

I would beg to differ on sacrificing lush reef in Jupiter, West Palm, or Boynton Beach. Those areas have some really nice reef and artificial reefs. Frankly, I like the reefs of Cozumel and the Bahamas a little bit better than those of Bonaire, so perhaps you and I would not agree on this point anyway. Florida has A LOT of amazing diving! Have fun and let us know if you decide to dive in the WPB/Jupiter area. Maybe we will join ya!

P.S. There is that "Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort" in Key Largo. I cannot recommend it, as I have never used them, but maybe others here can comment.

 

[danvolker]

Or, Stay at the Hilton on singer Island, right on the beach, a hotel that has special Dive Packages for divers, and is actually trying to do a lot for divers with special perks that only Divers get. Use one of the Hilton's partner boats, like Narcosis, which is big and fast, and you can dive Jupiter just as easily as you can the Breakers Reef or Pauls Reef( to the south--the reefs known for lushness and amazing colors). If you want 120's, I am sure Narcosis or Force E can deliver this for your trip. This size tank is commonly seen on Narcosis. With the Hilton, there is a new Rental car deal with Enterprise---Enterprise is normally about 20% lower than Hertz or Avis, but this deal for divers only, is about 20% lower than the normal Enterprise deal. In addition, Many of the Clematis Street Entertainment District Merchants are working with the Hilton, the Marriott Resort, and the Doubletree, to increase the non-diving side enjoyment of the Dive tourists here, so there is a perks package that has just been created , for going to Clematis for Dinners or a night out.
Hilton Oceanfront Singer Island ( packages with perks in August and September with rooms at the Hilton at $99 per night--but this is a full service Hotel, with great restaurants, Lounge and Tiki....so you are not in the 3rd world for service like you are with an economy hotel where you have to drive someplace for any meal or drink.)
Scuba Diving West Palm Beach Florida with Narcosis Dive Charters
If you have even the tiniest problem finding a 120, let me know

Also, the Hilton will also prepare a "Box Lunch" for you to take on the boat with you--you let them know the night before, and it is waiting for you when you finish your breakfast...It's a great way to be spoiled on a dive trip.

 

[uncfnp]

Richard,

The WPB area shoud be able to meet both you and your wife's needs. At that time of year Goliath Groupers should be plentiful. You can do Jupiter for the bigger stuff, BHB for a great muck dive, and WPB area for shallower dives and great reefs. Narcosis out of WPB could also be a compromise between the two. They travel a little further than most and will often do the more southern sites of Jupiter (north from WPB) as well as the more southern WPB sites. No frills though, no pineapple during SI. They often have hunters on board if that matters to you but they drop groups in separate areas. Great crew and captain. Also in WPB is Jim Abernathy Scuba Adventures. They typically dive more conservatively and do serve fresh pineapple between dives. Your wife may prefer this one. Either option should be able to hook you up with 100's. Scuba Club and Walkers Dive Charter also great options out of WPB.

Your wife will love drift diving. No hunting, swimming to boat. You can follow the dive guide, they carry the float, and when you surface...there's the boat! You will need to talk to your wife and decide how you will handle ascents, together or individually, depending on comfort level. Most dive groups go up together but not always. I know Narcosis let's some solo, in fact I took my solo course from one of their DM's, but I don't know if they will want to get to know you first.

In WPB, 2 tank boat dives are the norm but weekends you have 2 boat dive options, AM and PM options, throw in BHB at slack high tide and you can get in a lot of diving. If there is a night dive at BHB while there, I highly recommend it. And last September I did a Goliath Grouper night dive on Zion Train and the Corridor with Narcosis, one of my all time favorite dives ever! But I would definitely call it an advanced dive, you should have no problem but might not be the best choice for your wife.

Last, no dive resorts even remotely similar to Bonaire. If wife comes too, consider VRBO and get a condo or house if you are staying a week or so.

 

[drrich2]

Thanks guys; glad for the input. Wife seems excited about the chance for a cruise, but I'm still hoping to get down to Florida at least briefly sometime. The plot thickens...

Richard.

 

[uncfnp]

And did I mention that's lobster season in Florida. Just saying...

 

[djtimmy77]

There are 10+ restaurants ranging from fancy sit down to breakfast joints to sports bar known for their wings within a block of the Holiday Inn in Juno Beach. Definitely not third world at that hotel. Plus the beach there and 5 miles north is not overrun with highrise condos. VRBO would be worth looking at if staying for a week.

Narcosis is great for diving WPB but you will have a looong boat ride to dive Jupiter.