Florida Gulf Coast

[ReefGuy]

As far as beaches go, some of the nicest are in the Sarasota area. Siesta Key especially. There's also excellent snorkeling in a couple of spots. But all the diving is further offshore and a lot of it centers around wrecks. The gulf in that area is pretty sandy and flat for a long way out. Here's some details - if this link doesn't work it's from the Florida Underwater Sports website. http://032393e.netsolhost.com/WordP...1/Florida-Underwater-Sports-Dive-SIte-Map.jpg You'll notice the two words in most of the site details are shallow and sandy - it is.

Most diving around here is offshore, but not all. There are several good shore dives in the area depending on your level of experience, from shark tooth diving (beginner) to the phosphate docks in Boca Grande (advanced). There are artificial reefs and even an old (and admittedly barely there) wreck off the beach in Sarasota.

 

[FitnessKelly]

Off the coast of Ft Myers, there's the Mohawk wreck and 2 others (The Pegasus and another that I didn't get to see so I forgot the name). BUT, it's a long-ass boat ride to the Mohawk and Pegasus site - 3 hours with the guy we hired to charter us. I don't know if you've made plans already, but if it's not too late and you decide to go the Ft Myers route, send me a PM and I will send you the info on the guy we chartered. He did a great job and loves taking divers out.