Fort Lauderdale and beyond

[Balanus]

Hi
I'm going to be based in Ft Lauderdale, staying near Harbour Beach, for three weeks in August. I'm a UK diver, experienced (PADI Instructor with around 1000 dives). Any suggestions for a local dive operator and good sites to dive? Happy to travel and likely to spend a few days elsewhere (Keys?). Where do you suggest? Wrecks are always welcome but big beasties even more so.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[drrich2]

Big beasties makes me think of Jupiter - my trip report. A trip down to Key Largo would be great - my trip report. Get in the Spiegel Grove and maybe the Duane if you like wrecks.

Some Jupiter attractions, like the lemon shark & goliath grouper aggregations, are seasonal. Blue Heron Bridge is in that region; people also enjoy West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach, and some dive out of Ft. Lauderdale (e.g.: out of Pompano Beach). You can readily entertain yourself diving that region for 3 weeks.

If you really want big stuff bad, and the best chance of seeing it, check out some forum threads on Emerald Dive Charters. Obviously a guy handing out chunks of fish is more likely to bring in sharks for you to see up close.

Richard.

 

[sportxlh]

here's some links that might help

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/511111-florida-recommendations.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/506264-ft-lauderdale-dive-ops.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/485818-sharks-palm-beach-county.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...ve-destination-so-fl-keys-last-half-july.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/510830-favorite-ocean-reef-wreck-dive-florida.html

Palm Beach County, Pompano/Ft Lauderdale and the upper Keys are all great dive destinations. In Jupiter, I like Jupiter Dive Center, in Boynton I like Underwater Explorers and Splashdown, in Pompano I like South Florida Dive HQ, Scubatyme and Pompano Dive Center and in the upper Keys I like Conch Republic.

 

[Balanus]

Thanks folks. Looks like those suggestions should see me sorted.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I hear that the goliath grouper are already aggregating on the Castor! BHB is an awesome dive, but would keep it as an alternative if boat diving gets blown out, or it's early enough or late enough in the day. The place tends to get crowded and getting front row parking, one needs to be there 3 hours prior to high tide!

 

[Balanus]

Bhb.....?

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

BHB-Blue Heron Bridge
LBTS-Lauderdale By the Sea (it was probably mentioned once, or if not, it soon will.. LOL)

 

[Balanus]

Thanks...obvious when you know

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Oh, both BHB and LBTS are beach diving sites. Pretty much any where in the Ft. Lauderdale area that you can get parking, you can dive.

 

[Chugwhump]

And Goliath Grouper are Jewfish.
They always will be.

Chug
Does not honor the champion of the Philistines.