Does anyone know of any dive boats that operate out of Naples Florida? I'm looking to visit some wrecks and reefs in there are some good dive locations.
Naples Dive Boats
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Naples, no -- Ft Myers Beach, yes.
mcphail4
Registered
Anyone have any suggestions on diving to do around Naples? i will be ther from the 18th to the 29th of may. Which dive outfits where are good to use?
I'll be honest, I don't know of anyone running a boat out in the Gulf right now in this area. There are some locals who are running out to dive, but thats about it as far as I know. Deans has a spear-boat.. Seahorse Scuba has a boat I believe.. but so rare do I hear anything about anyone running a dive out.
ctnitroxdiver2006
Guest
I was recently in Naples and went to dive shops there. I was told there is no good diving in Naples or the nearby area, the gulf is way to shallow and cloudy. They go to the keys and Ft.Lauderdale area. Even the diving up near Ft Meyers is not really worth the money. I was told of many man made environmental things that ruined any reasonable dive sites. If you are interested, try a shop called SCUBadventures, they were very helpful . Pompano Beach is only 2 hrs east and had good wreck dives, with lots of life, the reefs were ok in my opinion, but not great, we did all drift dives which was nice. Good for new divers! I can give boat info if you need it, saves a bit of $$$$ from booking through a dive shop..
ctnitroxdiver2006:
WOW.. how folks who don't know the area (not you, the shops) twist things up. I've had as many good days in the Gulf as I have in the Atlantic or Keys and they were all fun dives. These folks obviously are not working on first hand information or possibly one trip at the wrong time.
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ctnitroxdiver2006:
My shop would have never told you this. I posted this in another thread a while back...it applies here:
"The diving off Fort Myers Beach and Naples will blow you mind...but it aint easy and it aint for new divers. If you want pretty colors, blue water, and easy boat rides then the east coast is for you. If you head three hours out of Fort Myers I can show you giant animals: sharks, grouper the size of cars, schools of fish so thick you cannot even see the wreck they inhabit. Massive turtles are common, and at times of the year whale sharks make an appearance. Maybe you would like to see a wreck brought down by a German Sub? It all off the coast of SW Florida.
Dont get me wrong, I dive more on the east coast than the west asthe Gulf trips are expensive and often folied by weather, but the MOST amazing dives I have done in Florida include the Pentrel, Baja California, Fantastico and some unnamed ledges in 100 feet off Boca Grande. They were simply some of the most beautful and heart pumping dives ever.
By the way, the spearfishing is world class. The east coast has been, for the most part, hurt by development and polution. I cannot even remember seeing a legal grouper off Pompano in the last two years.
Maybe this is the best way to say it: When I dive te east coast I pretty much know what I am gonna experience. When I dive the Gulf it is an adventure."
As for dive trips/boats...There is really no such thing, but there are fishing charters that are dive friendly. We run a trip with such once or twice a month...mostly for spearfishing in the 70-90 foot range. Three tanks dive cost $150 as the sites are about 25 miles off shore. The wrecks are much further so the costs go up. These are advanced trips as the boat rides can be miserable, the vis not so great, and help is very far away if things were to go wrong. Weather often shuts the trips down. In the same amount of time it takes to travel to wrecks such as the Fantastico and Stony Point, you can be in Key Largo. This is not meant as a downer, just a fact. Also note that every charter we offer into the Gulf sells out in 2-3 days despite the travel time and price. The diving/spearfishing is that good.
Boca Grande... THE dive in the area that is TOTALLY beyond reproach as far as multiple ecosystems all in one spot. I am bummed the clean up isn't happening this year.. I've half a mind to dive it anyway!
Woz is gone, Colin.
Matt, I've also made some awesome dives off shore Naples. One of the shops down there (can't remember which one, but it was owned and operated by Bob Cantrell) used to run a boat called the Delta Diver I.
Matt, I've also made some awesome dives off shore Naples. One of the shops down there (can't remember which one, but it was owned and operated by Bob Cantrell) used to run a boat called the Delta Diver I.
mcphail4
Registered
Thanks guys! This is all some good information to go on. Diving is not the main activity of the trip, and in fact I am going with some buddies that are not certified. If I have to make a day trip to get some diving in that will be fine, I think we all wanted to go somewhere else in Florida anyhow. I would like to do some spearfishing while I am down there. Any tips on that? I have never done it before, but I am an avid big game hunter in Michigan. Any idea how much it may cost to go out and what do I want to "hunt" for? What is proper etiquette? Do I give the captain meat and send the rest home or what? Any insight would be much appreciated!!
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