Info about diving near Tampa. Ocala area

[The Wanderer]

Hi - I'm a newbie.

I'd like to hear your stories, advice and recommendations about diving and day trips for new divers in the Tampa, Ocala, Cedar Key general area.

Thanks.

 

[scubafool]

Ocala area & suitable for a newbie, Alexander Springs is the first thing that comes to mind. There are other inland diving oppurtunities around Ocala, but I'd reccomend that you wait & gain experience befrore diving them, as the ones I know of involve overhead enviroments. Hudson Grotto isn't too far above Tampa, but again, wait on that one until you are more experienced. Some of us are diving Venice Beach on Saturday, but it's to be my first time there, so I don't know what it is like. Check out the Venice Beach Sat/27 thread in the private trips section here in Florida Conch Divers forum for more details & trip reports after the dives(s).

 

[GDI]

Paradise Springs, Devils Den, Blue Grotto, Alexander Springs, Blue Springs, Ginnie Springs, Crystal River

 

[Bob]

Hi - I'm a newbie.

I'd like to hear your stories, advice and recommendations about diving and day trips for new divers in the Tampa, Ocala, Cedar Key general area.

Thanks.

Weeki Wachee is a nice dive for a new diver. You have to have permission to dive there, so you'll need to call them up and schedule a dive. Blue Spring in Orange City is another nice easy dive, you'll need to have a buddy at both. There are many excellent dive charters in the Clearwater, Johns Pass area. www.reeftours.com is one I use when diving in the Gulf. www.diveclearwater.com is another one I recommend. Divers Supply on West Hillsborough runs monthly trips to West Palm and Key Largo. If you want to meet other divers that's a good way to do so. I made the trip to West Palm with a friend a couple of years ago and it wasn't bad. Hope this helps. Dive safely. almtree: Bob

 

[SeaJay]

Who has a comprehensive collection of all the spring dives in Florida? I'm looking for a list like that for my website.

 

[cdiver2]

Give Heather at Sunshine Scuba a call they do more spring diving than ocean.
David

 

[cardzard]

This site has most if not all the springs here in florida.
http://underwaterflorida.homestead.com/springs.html
hope this helps.

 

[OneBrightGator]

Paradise Springs, Devils Den, Blue Grotto, Alexander Springs, Blue Springs, Ginnie Springs, Crystal River

Out of all of these I would only recommend Devil's Den, Alexander Springs and Blue Springs for a newbie diver, the rest involve overhead environments, even some cave area that are claimed to be OW.

Seajay, checkout http://www.floridacaves.com/ it's about the best out there.

Ben

 

[The Wanderer]

Out of all of these I would only recommend Devil's Den, Alexander Springs and Blue Springs for a newbie diver, the rest involve overhead environments, even some cave area that are claimed to be OW.

Seajay, checkout http://www.floridacaves.com/ it's about the best out there.

Ben

Do you always have to take a buddy, or are there usually other buddyless divers at these sites looking for a day buddy?

And which Blue Springs?

 

[OneBrightGator]

I take a buddy, I haven't seen many buddyless divers around these sites, but I haven't been looking either.

Blue Springs in Orange City.

Ben