Must do dive sites

[jbd]

What are the must do salt water dive sites in Florida? We will be traveling down the the coast to the Keys then up the gulf coast. A friend has brought us a bunch of brochures for diving in the Keys. So whats recommended from Jacksonville to the Keys and from the Keys up to the Tampa area?

Never have been to Florida before and this will be my first saltwater dives.

My wife is getting ready to make reservations for places where we will be so hotel recommendations are welcome also.

TIA

jbd

 

[Wendy]

You need to get the Ned Deloach's guide to Underwater Florida. It lists just about every dive site inland and off shore. It also has some ads for dive ops. If you want me to pick one up for you and snail mail it to you I don't mind, just private message me.

But here are some places I'd go.

Daytona the reefs are about 10 to 20 miles off shore, but there are a couple of wrecks closer. Vis is better the further south you travel, I haven't dived the Daytona area, but my friends all use Spruce creek scuba for gear in Port Orange and Sea Dogs charters.

Jupiter Dive Center in Jupiter Florida is a nice charter boat. I did a ledge dive there a few weeks ago and going in the morning too.

West Palm Beach is great for drift diving. You don't have to kick or anything, just let the current pull you along. I use Rampage charters. There is also some wrecks, so you could ask to do a wreck and reef trip.

Ft. Luaderdale I like Bubbles dive shop and a good boat is Phish Food. There are too many great wrecks out there to name them all. Other good boats close to this area is Lady Go Diver.

Miami again has some good wrecks and so does Key Largo. Depending on your cert level, the Duane is a great AOW dive.

Gee I have so many great places for you to dive, but I'll stop and see what everyone else recommends.

Let me know about the book.

 

[kelpmermaid]

You might also want to check out the diving around Boynton Beach - more drift diving and wrecks...
One place I have wanted to dive (but have never actually had the time to do) is Biscayne National Park.

 

[Dee]

I really liked Pompano Beach when I was there last summer. Wrecks and Reefs...can't get much better!

I'm sure the Florida contingent will help you out here.

 

[scubabear]

jbd, come on down !!

Wendy's suggestion of deloach's book is an excellent one.

My personal preferance is diving the southeast coast from
West Palm to Key West, but as they say " it's all good ".

Don't forget Oceanfest, if you're in the area May 17-19.
Also here's a site for the Fla. Scuba News a handy little rag
you might find usefull. www.scubanews.com

Bear in mind that from May-June "sea lice" can be present, so
use of a skin or wetsuit is recomended.

Have an enjoyable trip!!

 

[jbd]

Thanks for the responses.

Wendy--I'll look for the book up here. If I can't get a hold of one I'll let you know.

We will be in Florida on the 9th of June and will probably head for home on the 15th.

SEA LICE!!! Maybe I should get dry suit training!

 

[sharpenu]

Florida dives, from West Palm south.

West Palm Beach- Rampage is good

Boynton Beach- Try Loggerhead Charters or Dive Charters Intl. (DCI)

Pompano/Boca Raton- South Florida Diving Headquarters

Lauderdale By the Sea- Good beach diving

Miami- RJ Diving

Keys- John Pennekamp State Park or Reef Divers

Naples- there is some diving for Megaladon teeth there. Look in the Deloach guide for specifics.

CAUTION on getting air from Jupiter Dive Center. Last mini season, I got oil contaminated air from them. When getting fills in FL, ask to see the air quality report. It is illegal to do commercial fills in Florida without one. Make sure the air is Grade E or higher for air and Modified E or higher for O2 compatible air.

 

[100days-a-year]

jbd,Jax is where I live .We dive Jax and St Augustine 10 mos. a year 2mos in the Keys.Must do in the Keys would undoubtably be Looe Key with Underseas .A night dive there is how we spent new years eve on the Millenium.Offshore here in Jax I'd say you have a 50-50 chance of seeing a large animal on any of the wrecks from 65' on out.There are hundreds of sunken barges,tugs,freighters and even a drydock 615' long 125' wide by 50' high in 120' of water .The ledges and live bottom are home to lobster to 18# Red snapper to 40# Gag grouper to 50#,Black grouper to 100# Jewfish like Volkswagons and even tropicals.Atlantic Pro dive has the best shop&boat.Holiday Inn Oceanfront is probly the best place to stay unless money isn't an object the the PonteVedra Inn & Lodge is really nice .From Vero beach on down there is nice shore diving.The upper Keys are nice but commercial and sometimes crowded(not in June tho)middle keys are fishermen and enclaves of wealthy northerners.The lower keys are laid back,residential and graet diving .Key West is Party Central and has lots of dive charters the best being Southpointe Divers.Good luck and let us know when your coming .It'd be nice if you could meet some of us.

 

[Spectre]

Originally posted by Wendy
You need to get the Ned Deloach's guide to Underwater Florida. It lists just about every dive site inland and off shore

They have it on Amazon.com, and also have images of the index
and table of contents. It looks quite impressive. Just added to
my wishlist so I don't forget

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...99/slide-show/103-6971296-5516637#reader-link

-Jeff