Florida scuba vacation

[dlent]

Hi,

I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive one week scuba vacation in Florida. I'd like a spot that is within taxi distance of a major airport. I'm just looking for reef and wreck diving. I'm not a cave diver.

 

[Sideband]

One word. Pompano.

South Florida Diving Headquarters, there is a hotel right on the docks that gives a discount to divers using this outfit. Fly into Ft. Lauderdale and taxi to the hotel.

 

[Boatlawyer]

I would recommend the American Dream II on 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, about 3 miles from the airport (Sands is about 12) Are you renting or bringing your own gear?

I just wrote to Sy from New Jersey with some comparisons between South Florida Diving Headquarters and American Dream II. Let me know if you're interested, and I will e-mail an excerpt to you.

 

[Sideband]

OUCH! Don't stay at their recommended hotel though. Over $200 a night.

 

[Sandbar]

I would recommend the American Dream II on 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, about 3 miles from the airport (Sands is about 12) Are you renting or bringing your own gear?

I just wrote to Sy from New Jersey with some comparisons between South Florida Diving Headquarters and American Dream II. Let me know if you're interested, and I will e-mail an excerpt to you.

I second this recommendation. Don't know what time of year you are coming, but there are a ton of hotels on Ft. Lauderdale beach (right around the corner from ADII) that you can get good bargains on. Plus...staying on FTL beach has much more to do within walking distance than Pompano.

I just put up two people who work for me at the Bahia Mar for $80 night. Decent digs (typical beach hotel).

Don't get me wrong...I grew up in Pompano and it's a great place with good ops. I just think for you get a bigger bang for your buck in FTL.

 

[dlent]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will be bringing my own gear. Boatlawyer, please email me the excerpt when you get a chance. Thanks!

 

[Scubaguy62]

Pompano is about a $50.00 cab ride from Ft. Lauderdale, and So. Fla. Dvng Hq., while good, it does not stand to the heels of the American Dream II. There's plenty of places to stay which you can book by the week around the area where the AD II is docked. Check www.prodiveusa.com (under scuba career training, then housing) and www.scubafortlauderdale.com. They usually have info on their website about where to stay, and there are plenty of other places a bit north of 17th st.

there is a wide plethora of wrecks in the Ft. Laud area, so whether you stay in Pompano, or Ft. Laud, you'll be able to dive wrecks. The reefs run north and south and all along the east coast of FL. IOW, anywhere you go, there will be reefs, and/or wrecks.

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Try Key Largo. About 67 miles from Miami airport. May need to rent a car, although some of the hotels, like the Sheraton, run shuttles from the airport; taxi runs about 100; however, dive operations are plentiful, the reefs are nice and alive, the currents usually minimal, and it has both shallow and deep wrecks. Consider a place like Marina del Mar, walking distance to Ocean Divers. Or the Marriott, with an on site scuba operation.