Jupiter area diving

[deek8525]

Sent out an email on saturday to info@jupiterdivecenter.com but have not had a reply as of yet, basically we are looking for info/guidance as to which operators would be able to accomodate us.

We are three divers from Scotland with the following experience and will be in the area during 13th and 17th of April 2009:

First diver is myself, I am PADI open water certified with only 8 logged dives at the moment, 7 of which have been cold water dives in the Forth Estuary of the North Sea, the last of which was in February 2009, and 1 dive in the Epcot Living Seas tank.

Second diver is my 13 year old son (14 on the 24th April), he is PADI Junior scuba diver certified at present and hopes to complete his Open Water during our summer, he has had 2 dives in the Forth Estuary and 1 dive in Epcot Living Seas tank in October 2008.

Third diver is Padi open water, BSAC sport diver certified with over 200 logged dives in various locations, last dive was approximately 3 years ago.

Could you please inform us of any dives which may be available to suit our experience on any of your dive trips and any requirements or costs of refresher dives which would be required to take part in any dives.

If you cannot accomodate my son on any dives this would not be major problem as we are planning to return to Florida in october, hopefully my son will have completed his open water and we will have a few more dives under our belt by then.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[sportxlh]

I have made a number of dives with Jupiter Dive Center and they do a great job. Keep in mind that the reefs are pretty deep in Jupiter at 80-95 feet: with a bit over 50 dives, I am probably just barely experienced enough to dive with them, though I suppose each diver must make his own decision on what is appropriate. If you want to try something shallower you might want to think about west palm beach or boynton beach. west palm beach is only 15 miles south of jupiter and there are several dive sites that are shallower (e.g. 50-60 feet). there are a bunch of high quality operators in west palm beach and most send down a dive master with the group. boynton beach is 45 minutes from jupiter and has shallower reefs as well and, in my opinion, the reefs are more beautiful than jupiter or west palm beach. However, in boynton beach, most operators do not send a divemaster down with the divers.

Keep in mind that in Jupiter, West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach, you'll be doing drift dives and will be in current. Sometimes the current is very very light, at other times it is ripping.

Aside from Jupiter Dive Center (which, as I said, I like a lot): these are the operators I have used in west palm beach and boyton beach:

The Scuba Club has very attentive dive masters: Welcome to The Scuba Club, America's Only Country Club For Scuba Divers in West Palm Beach, FL

Walkers: Scuba Diving in the Palm Beach area - Walkers Dive Charters

Diver Charter International does not send down DM's but the reefs are shallower and I really like people: Dive Charters International, Inc.

I have heard great things about the following operators but have never dove with them

JASA: Scuba Diving Palm Beach, Florida :: Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures

Narcosis: Scuba Diving West Palm Beach Florida with Narcosis Dive Charters

Scuba Board memeber: Underwater Explorers - SCUBA Diving Boynton Beach, Delray, Palm Beach, Reefs and Wrecks

 

[Jupiter31]

Very good post and spot on.

I think Jupiter has the best diving in FL (hell, in the USA) but the conditions are not ideal for beginners, for all the reasons you gave.

Yesterday, for example, it was a little sloppy; new divers aboard and it was problem after problem - the father could not equalize; the son lost both fins when he jumped off the boat!

Very nice people, but it turned out to be their 7th dive total and 1st salt water dive - probably not a great idea to do Jupiter, especially yesterday.

I'd go south in Palm Beach County, or consider Key Largo - given your (honest) level of experience, it might not be the time for Jupiter.

Maybe after a week or so of diving every day, with good (calm) conditions in a less demanding environment, but right off the bat - no.

 

[divengolf]

Given your son's and your limited experience, I second the recommendation to go to Key Largo. Except for the wreck dives, most dives are shallow reef dives less than 50'. Personally I dive with Quiescence in Key Largo. They run six passenger boats (six packs), but they do not routinely put a DM in the water. They expect the divers to be able to handle things themselves. However, with prior arrangement and additional cost, they will add a DM to the boat.

Their website is keylargodiving.com.

Good luck with your Diving.

 

[Tug]

I am getting back into diving after taking a few years off and dove the other day with Kevin (scubakevdm) and Underwater Explorers in Boynton Beach. He was very helpful and I recommend his outfit.

 

[deek8525]

Thanks for all your suggestions.
Been in touch with Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures and they can accomodate us on dives to the shallower reefs during the week we will be in the area so we will get a taster of diving in the Palm Beach area.
My wife will be staying with friends at our place in the Kissemmee area so Key Largo is a bit far to travel this visit so a visit there might have to wait until October.
Looking forward to diving in warm and clear water instead of bulky dry suit dives in 39/40 deg F and 3/4metres vis.
Again thanks for suggestions

 

[robandliza]

You mention that your wife will be staying at your place in Kissimmee, does that mean you will travel each day?
I only ask as we also have a place in Kissimmee and I got talking to a few shops last year who do day trips to West Palm Beach. Try contacting Divers Direct on I-Drive or Scuba Quest(Scuba Quest Florida Dive Centers Scuba Quest Florida Dive Centers) on OBT. There is also a new shop ( well new last August) next to the ticket shop at Rock Church Plaza on 192 but I can't remember the name of it. There is also Kissimmee Pro Dive Centre (Kissimmee Dive Center | Kissimmee, Florida | Scuba Gear | Scuba Courses | Dive Trips)

If you will be travelling down and staying then you might as well go the extra couple of hours to Key Largo, which is what I've done last couple of years and will be doing again this summer

Please let me know what you decide and how it goes as I'd be interested when planning my trips this summer

Rob

 

[Orlando Eric]

To get into the 60' nice dives you will have to drive to the WPB Boyton area. I highly recomend Underwater Explorers the Owner is a well known local instructor and dive master. His boat is very likely to have a few local dive masters on board diving for fun and only runs six at a time. If you happen to go to Riveria Marinia most of those boats are tourist safe. It is always a good idea when diving an new area to consider hiring your very own divemaster. WE can be had cheaply and there are plenty out there. Many local DM's will jump off a boat with you for $75.00. I know if I was coming to scotland I'd be willing to pay for a local guide to the Distilleries.. yummy

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Jupiter willbe too much for you. Go to WPB and look up Walkers, which was listed above. Call ahead and reserve 60 ft dives with them.

 

[deek8525]

You mention that your wife will be staying at your place in Kissimmee, does that mean you will travel each day?

Please let me know what you decide and how it goes as I'd be interested when planning my trips this summer

Rob

Rob

We are booked to do dives on the14th & 15th April with Jim Abernethy's scuba adventures, two tank reef dives both days, decision was to do Palm Beach this trip and Keys on another visit, we are all going to stay down in the Palm beach area, for two nights so we won't be travelling back and forth.

Thanks to all who gave advice, we may try some of the other operators on future trips.

Thanks
Deek