Marco Island vs Sanibel

[TheOsprey]

Hello Grizzled Conch Veterans,

I'm looking for some advice.

My girlfriend and I are going to Naples first week of April to her parents condo (not our first choice but it's free). We've been waiting to get scuba certified for quite some time and this is going to provide a great opportunity. We're looking to dive in either Marco Island or Sanibel since they are apparently the closest locations. We're doing our PADI classroom and pool here in Minnesota but we will need to get our open water there. It's getting a little late in the game so were trying to rush our planning. My questions are:

Which of these two locations would be best?
and
Of either place could someone recommend an outfitter/charter to take us out.

Any advice you folks can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Os

 

[Walter]

Neither. Go to the Keys or the east coast. Feel free to hook up with a local Naples instructor to give you your check out dives, but the Gulf isn't for beginners. Get 50 dives under your belt and come back, I'll show you some great dives.

 

[MissTwisties]

http://fla-keys.com/listing.cfm?id=71
http://www.rainbowreef.us/

Hope this help....we're going to Sanibel/Captiva Islands too in April and we're coming from Massachusetts, we'll be getting our open water checkout in Key Largo.

 

[Tom Winters]

Captiva is fun - Sanibel was kinda crowded though.

 

[Matteo]

yup, take 2 days away from Naples and head for the Keys to do your check-outs....you could leave one morning, do 2 dives that afternoon, 2 the next morning, be certified and back in Naples that night....Key Largo is only a couple hours drive...be sure and get the proper referral documents from your instructor up there in Minnesota

 

[TheOsprey]

Well, I convinced my GF that we should drive down to Key Largo from Naples. Now I'm asking if anyone has a solid recommendation for a reputable outfit that could get us certified. We may stay over night and try and dive the next day down there. Anyone have suggestions? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Os

 

[MissTwisties]

www.rainbowreef.us will certify you PADI even if you made your training with NAUI. They have packages priced with hotel and diving. Check out their website, and you can custom build your own package with the dates you're going to be there.

 

[matts1w]

Matteo gave you great advice. Schedule two dives Saturday afternoon, spend the night, and two more dives Sunday moring. Youll be back in Naples by 5:00. PADI allows three training dives per day, so you will have to do your four checkouts over two days.

It goes w/o saying to see if Bluewater Divers in Key Largo has an open spot for your referrals.

Matt S.
Dean's Dive Center
Fort Myers, Florida