Jacksonville Area Diving

[smorneau]

The last week of February my wife and I will be traveling to Jacksonville FL area. This trip has two purposes. First is a get-a-way from the frozen tundra of Maine. The second reason is advance scouting for a future place to live. Long story short, tired of the BS associated with Maine winters and to be closer to better diving, part of the reason Jacksonville area is a possible landing spot.


That being said I am hoping to get a few days of diving in while in the area and was hoping someone here could help point me in the right direction on what diving is close to the Jacksonville area or within a short drive. Is there any good shore diving or dive charters between Jacksonville and St. Augustine? How about a good dive shop in the area? We are actually staying in south of Jacksonville in St. John area right on the river.

 

[100days-a-year]

http://www.piratediver.com/
My favorite shop


https://www.facebook.com/nativedivercharters
The only charter in town that hasn't been charged with multiple fisheries violations.

There is no shore diving although there are people who dive the jetties.There is also blackwater diving for fossils and artifacts.

The springs are 2 hours away.

People dive year round but it is best from April to December.temps can hit 50s inshore in winter and 80s offshore about 6 months of the year.Vis is variable but I normally see 20 or better inshore and 50 or better offshore.

There are more fish here than most parts of Florida and certainly more opportunity for big animal encounters.

There are a lot of private boats and some looking for divers but most do lobster or spearfish.

 

[Feet1st]

Suggest you seek some spring diving in north central Florida. Offshore water temps off northeast Florida are in the 50's right now and the wind has been awful.

 

[100days-a-year]

Surf temp is 59,inshore is 60s offshore is 70 and up as you go South.As of a couple days ago.