We dove from yaks in Lauderdale. It's an okay way to get there, even if it sounds too far. Three miles is about the limit for most folks but one mile was usually as far as we went out.
The Hobie yaks are barges! They're a little slower than "fishing" yaks, but they haul a pile of gear and they are much easier to climb back on. So there's a compromise you have to reach. I dove my WS Tarpon 140 and it was great. Carried all the gear I needed and was way faster than the other guys who had Hobies. They had no trouble getting back on top though, and I had to pay attention
The drive system is awesome on the Hobies, but they're expensive.
So if you go the Hobie route with a drive system, then Peter_c is correct. It's cheaper to buy a small inflatable and extend your range and lessen your effort with much larger carry capacity. Set up or launch may be an issue. I also have a small inflatable and we took it out of the surf on several trips. The rules were, no engines in the swim-zone, so we paddled out past the buoys and then cranked it up. Never any problems.
So the diving off a yak is cool because you use the yak as your dive float-flag. The obvious advantage is that you never get lost from the boat because you're pulling it around with you. This sounded troublesome to me at first, but it was not. My habit has always been to pull the dive float under (not on purpose), but here that's not going to happen. You're not going to puncture the yak like an inflatable so it's safer to handle fish or spearguns (if that's your thing).
You absolutely don't want a sit inside yak for diving. They also sell electric drive yaks, but the money you spend can get you a much better dive platform. Same goes for the Hobies imo.
There's a lot of discussion of SOT yaks at texaskayakfisherman.com. I know you may not be fishing, but those guys haul alot of gear too and they fall off enough that it's a topic for discussion. They also want to stand up, and if you can stand in a yak you can dive it too.
I've always been a fan of WS, but OK are also top notch. One thing you may forget is that you need a Coast Guard approved lifejacket in the yak at all times. If you have an inflatable pfd you have to wear it for it to count. Your dive gear is not a pfd.
Good luck, fair winds and flat calm seas.
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I've always been a fan of WS, but OK are also top notch. One thing you may forget is that you need a Coast Guard approved lifejacket in the yak at all times. If you have an inflatable pfd you have to wear it for it to count. Your dive gear is not a pfd.
Good luck, fair winds and flat calm seas.
WS == Wilderness Systems
OK == Ocean Kayak
I meant to go back and write it out but forgot...
-dennis