Help me plan a dive trip to Florida

[uva185]

Hey Everyone!

I just got my certification last weekend and I am anxious to dive again.

I am looking at making a weekend trip to Florida. I did my certification at Devils Den, Rainbow River, and Kings Springs near Crystal River, FL. While that was fun I think I prefer reef diving.

I have heard Palm Beach has some amazing diving! Besides the Florida Keys what are some other good spots in Florida? I want to go someplace that has a nice beach too. Ideally I would like to do a 2 or 3 tank dive trip in the morning then spend the rest of the day at the beach :cool2:

I am also looking at Fort Lauderdale only because the night life seems better and would make a more well rounded trip How is the diving in Fort Lauderdale compared to Palm Beach?

How far are the dive sites from Sarasota or Tampa? I've heard they are farther off the coast than those near Palm Beach. Would the Gulf be a better choice?

Thanks so much!!

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

I would not try to compare Palm Beach to Ft. Laud. what I can tell you is that Ft. Lauderdale has any type of dive you want, reef, wreck, beach, or boat. There are several very good dive charters, my favorite is Parrot Island Scuba Adventures. wish I could join you, but I have to work next weekend.

 

[deepstops]

Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Boynton Beach, or Palm Beach all offer great dives for the newer diver and you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them.
As a recently certified diver, you might get some benefit and build your confidence diving with a dive master/instructor. Not many dive charters in S FL put a DM or instructor in the water with you on every dive but UW Explorer in Boynton Beach does and the diving in Boynton is excellent.

Regarding dive sites on the west (gulf) coast versus the east coast, boat dives involve much longer runs on the west coast (typically at least an hour) while most dive site from Miami to Palm beach or Jupiter are within two miles of the coastline.

On a sidenote, if you fly from DCA, US Airways has non-stops to both Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.

 

[Salmonboy97]

I live on the Tampa side of the state and I wouldnt recommend this side for a newly certified diver on vacation. The dive sites here are far offshore, long and expensive boat trips $85-$145. The water is not as clear and the fish arent as bright. What this side DOES have are plenty of fish to spear! And I really enjoy that but it is not as beautiful as the east coast.
When I want to dive on that coast I go anwhere from Ft. Lauderdale to Jupiter. The water is clearer (most of the time) and the fish are prettier (more ornamentals). The boat trip is 1-2 miles and the cost will be $50-$75. As other posters have said you will be able to dive wrecks, reefs, and everything in between.
Parrot bay scuba is a good dive operator. You can also try Jupiter dive center in Jupiter. (Jupiter is big on sharks, especially if someone is spearing. I have not seen LESS than 3 sharks on any dive while spearing there).
Safe Diving!!

 

[uva185]

I would not try to compare Palm Beach to Ft. Laud. what I can tell you is that Ft. Lauderdale has any type of dive you want, reef, wreck, beach, or boat. There are several very good dive charters, my favorite is Parrot Island Scuba Adventures. wish I could join you, but I have to work next weekend.

I'm not going next weekend. I'm looking to do a weekend in mid-November. (Maybe Nov 14-16 or Nov 21-23) I am going with 2-3 friends (who I got certified with) but I'll let you know when I finalize the trip. You're more than welcome to join us!

Thanks for the tip about UW Explorer. Even though I have 10 dives right now (got some dives before getting certified) I still think it would be nice to have a DM or guide!!

I've read the vis near Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale can be 70-100' Is that kind of visibility more of the exception or the norm. As of now I don't think I have had over 40' of vis on any dive. The vis on last dive for certification at Kings Springs was like 5'....that sucked!!

 

[deepstops]

I'm not going next weekend. I'm looking to do a weekend in mid-November. (Maybe Nov 14-16 or Nov 21-23) I am going with 2-3 friends (who I got certified with) but I'll let you know when I finalize the trip. You're more than welcome to join us!

Thanks for the tip about UW Explorer. Even though I have 10 dives right now (got some dives before getting certified) I still think it would be nice to have a DM or guide!!

I've read the vis near Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale can be 70-100' Is that kind of visibility more of the exception or the norm. As of now I don't think I have had over 40' of vis on any dive. The vis on last dive for certification at Kings Springs was like 5'....that sucked!!

Let's say it's not uncommon but it's not everyday either. The biggest influence is the wind direction and speed. A moderate SE or E wind brings in the clear blue water from the Gulf Stream but if it's too strong, that messes it up.

West wind pushes the near-shore "green water" away from shore onto the reefs commonly dove from the dive boats. The wind started blowing from the west last night and this morning we had "only" 30-40' of viz.

The viz is rarely less than 30-40' so you can generally expect it to be better

 

[I Dive]

If your group will be 4 people, you will just about fill up a 6 pack. Since you are all new, what I'd recommend is to find a 6 pack that offers a DM for a fee. I know there are plenty of people on here who can point you towards some great 6 packs down there, some that might run the boat with just your group of 4 if you are also paying for a guide. That will give you the best of all worlds. You will have an experienced guide to show you around and help you out, and since your group would be the only divers on the boat, you would have quite a bit of influence on where to dive. The Captain is always the final say on where to dive, but as long as weather and water conditions permit, they are generally pretty acommodating to their passengers requests. Congrats on the cert, welcome to the boards, and enjoy your trip!!!!!

 

[sportxlh]

in palm beach the scuba club puts one or two dive masters on every dive and they are very attentive. I have made several dives with them in the last few months. Welcome to The Scuba Club, America's Only Country Club For Scuba Divers in West Palm Beach, FL

I dove with Jupiter Dive Center for the first time yesterday and was impressed with the Dive Master, Bruce. He did a really nice pre-dive orientation on the reefs we were diving. The one thing I don't like about JDC is the fact that they allow spear fisherman with the regular and lobster divers. Thankfully there were no spear fisherman yesterday. I believe the shop is under new management so some of the nightmares I've heard from people that dove with them many years ago are no longer true. Jupiter Dive Center, Scuba diving lessons at a PADI 5 Star facility, daily scuba diving trips in Jupiter, Florida.

the beaches in Juno Beach, Jupiter Beach, MaArthur Park, Singer Island and Palm Beach Island are all nice. I happen to like Jupiter Beach because you can walk your dog on the beach (as long as you clean up after it).

Most of the young people that work in my office (in WPB) would agree that the night life in Ft. Lauderdale is better.

Regarding Vis: I dove in WPB 10 days ago and it was 100+ feet. Yesterday was more like 40 feet (still pretty good).

Have a great trip