Miami Beach Help

[topher]

Hi there

I will be staying in Miami Beach for a conference march 18th-23rd.

I would like to do a 2-tank dive (all i'll have time for)
Any recs (or ANTI-recs) of dive operators?

Seems like the places i've called so far are cattle call 30-40 person ops, which I usually would avoid, but perhaps it would be good to have a larger boat if the water is choppy or trip is long...

No diving experience in FL: How's the current? 3mm suit OK in march (+/- skin under)
i dont get cold easily.


thanks for your help

if you guys know any ops that leave especially early (e.g. 7 AM) that would be a huge plus for me

thanks again

topher

 

[MikeJacobs]

If you really want to boat-dive Miami, see if H2O Scuba of Sunny Isles (954-956-3483) is doing Tenneco Towers right off North Miami - this would be your best, most "efficient" combination. Sometimes American Dream II does it as well... I guess they all do but it's a long trip for FLL boats.

Nice dive followed by a reef.

BTW, they're all cattle boats here but rarely filled to the gills unless you expect to dive on a 3 day weekend. Fortunately, they're all well prepared and we've enjoyed just about all of them (ahem).

 

[Tom Winters]

The closest boat in South Beach is RJ over at the Miami Beach marina on Alton and 5th. He's good.
Next closest is H2O Scuba. The run hot-and-cold sometimes, but they do have their staunch adherents.
American Dream is not that bad to get to during AFTER rush hour - just a shot west over the 395 or the Julia Tuttle Causeways to I95, a straight shot north to 595 East, US1 North to SE17th and a right over the bridge to Pier 66 and you're there. All fast highway, in theory.
http://www.rjdiving.com/
http://www.h2oscuba.com/
http://www.scubafortlauderdale.com/

3mm suit is fine, but no one leaves at 7am unless you buy the whole boat. The currents can be non-existent or ripping.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

Most ops leave at 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning and then 12:30 or so for the afternoon trip.

Water temp should be just shy of 75 by the time you are here.

RJ's new boat is really nice.

 

[blondey]

I highly recommend RJ's myself - they've taken me out a few times.
I've been diving with a 3/5 lately and have been fine, and I usually get cold easily, so you should be fine.

 

[topher]

thanks for the help



How about these ops:

S. Beach Divers (seems like the trip will be full of students)

Tarpoon


thanks again

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

thanks for the help



How about these ops:

S. Beach Divers (seems like the trip will be full of students)

Tarpoon


thanks again

Tarpoon is great and conveniently located right where the boat docks. They basically run all of their trips with RJ, which is why I didn't bother posting seperately. Great shop though. I think enough of them that this is where my daughter got certified. If you need fills, gear rental, etc., go there. They will also hook you up with a package that includes the boat. It may be better than what you can get by going directly to RJ.

South Beach divers tends to set up trips to Key Largo. They mostly orient around tourists and their students. They tend to be more expensive. Parking at their shop is a real hassle. They are not a bad shop, per se, but I would choose Tarpoon over them.