Welcome. Where have you dove so far and with which dive op.s? People can advise better if they know your specifics.
We were certified with Divers Cove in Davie.
Most of the time we are hunting for lobster, usually dive the reefs off of Fort Lauderdale and Pompano with American Dream Dive Charters and Scybatyme Dive Charters. As far as wrecks are concerned, we have seen the Jay Scutti in Fort Lauderdale and the Benwood in Key Largo.
At the moment we are working with our instructor to schedule a dive at the Spiegle Grove in Key Largo for our Deep and Wreck dives (PADI AOW Course).
My thoughts on both dive charters:
American Dream Dive Charters: (2 tank dive) 46' boat, shaded parking, soft drinks, snacks, hot shower, camera/gear table, great crew, etc etc etc... They load and unload your tanks and will switch your gear from the first to the second tank if you need or want assistance. These guys are off Monroe Street and the 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale. I have nothing but excellent things to say about this operation. Their profiles are usually '70 wreck/'30 reef unless they have something special going on.
ScubaFortLauderdale.com - Home of the American Dream II
Scubatyme: (2 tank dive) 36' Boat, soft drinks, snacks, showers, camera/gear table, great crew, etc etc etc. They load and unload your tanks and will switch your gear from the first to the second tank if you need or want assistance. Enzo (the owner) is usually on the boat diving with the customers. He is a great guy, heavy Italian accent (from Milan). Their profiles are usually 60-80' reef/ 40-60' reef unless they are doing something special. Scubatyme is probably my favorite charter at the moment.
Scubatyme Charters: Pompano Beach Scuba Diving Experts. Wrecks, Reefs, Spearfishing & More!
There is excellent shore diving in South Florida but I am spoiled by boat diving and since I have the means, I would rather not haul my gear on and off of the beach.
Other spots we've been:
Memorial Reef
Cool place, am glad I've seen it. Not really in a rush to get back there.
Molasses Reef
Very cool place. My wife drove down to visit this place soon after receiving our C Cards. This was the first time we dove without an instructor or divemaster. Fortunately, Molasses Reef is relatively shallow and very beautiful. I would dive Molasses Reef any time. It is on the Pennekamp Reserve so hunting is strictly forbidden, allowing the reef to flourish and prosper.
Jay Scutti Wreck: Cool wreck in about 70' of water. It is part of the 'wreck trek'. There are three separate wrecks a few hundred feet apart. We only made it to the one because the current was unfavorable. I would def return to this wreck.
Wreck Trek Ft Lauderdale - South Florida Diving Headquarters
Benwood Wreck: Not much left, just the skeleton of a large ship is left. Lots of life, but not what I was expecting to see of a wreck dive.
Finally, I would like to put in a good word for the folks at Divers Cove in Davie, where my wife and I got certified. I would recommend this shop to anyone looking to learn SCUBA and meet good people. Very social bunch of folks work there and there is a great community atmosphere surrounding the regulars. 90% of my dives are with people I have met through the shop.
