Question New to US (and FL)

[omer1]

Hi everyone!
Only discovered the existence of this wonderful site last week. Hope everyone had a fun 4th of July weekend.

My name is Omer, I'm originally from Israel, and recently started a job in NYC so my home base has shifted quite a long way (as you can imagine). I've never dove (dived, diven?) on this side of the world actually.

My question for the forum is this - I have no knowledge of diving here in the US, and rarely is diving here discussed in the Israeli dive community.

I know there's diving in the Northeast, but I prefer not to dive in cold water and I'm less interested in wrecks (even though I am certified).

I love sharks, turtles, and big pelagics in general (don't we all) - so I was wondering if and where it's best to dive in the US, specifically FL, to see those? I've only ever seen black, white, and silver tip reef sharks (and one juvenile whale shark one time which was amazing), so would love to see more species!

When I do have time to go to FL, given I will probably haul my gear with me, what should I expect prices to be like? I know here it will probably be boat dives as opposed to shore dives, which makes them more expensive.

Sorry if I ranted too long! If there are any NYC divers on here (especially fellow Israelis) please lmk if there's a forum or chat where we can connect!

And if people are interested, I'm happy to provide info about the Israeli dive scene, happy to chat or create a post - give the people what they want lol

 

[Lostdiver71]

The best place for sharks, turtles, Goliath Grouper and other large sea creatures in the U.S. is probably Jupiter, FL. Right now most 2 tank dive trips are $95-100, a three tank trip is $130 and includes lunch. That does include weights but does not include any other equipment. All of the charter boats require that you have a dive computer and surface marker buoy, they also recommended that you are Nitrox certified. September is when the Goliath Grouper show up to spawn so it is not unusual to see schools of multiple 300-800 pound fish. We also have the Blue Heron Bridge nearby for some great shallow shore dives.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Welcome Omer!

Palm Beach County is probably the best place to get all of that, from Palm Beach north to Jupiter. You will see plentiful sea turtles all summer during nesting season (April through October). Species we see regularly see include loggerhead, green and the occasional hawksbill. Leatherbacks also nest on our beaches but seeing one is rare. We also have plentiful sharks, especially in the colder months. Caribbean reef, lemon, and bull sharks are common with hammerhead (various species) and tiger sightings not unheard of. We also have a goliath grouper spawning aggregation every Aug-Sep. If you've never seen 20+ 4-6' 500-800 lb fish in one location, it is a real treat!

We also have all of the plentiful reef fish you will see throughout the Caribbean. I may be biased because this is the area I dive the most, but it is some fantastic diving!

Water temps vary from mid-80s F all summer long down to low-70s F in the winter with occasional upwellings that drop into the 60s F on occasion. All of the diving here in Palm Beach County is drift diving. Visibility typically ranges from 20-30' on a bad day to 70'+ on a good day with average in the 40-50' range.

Charters are typically around $100 for a 2-tank trip. We do have one awesome shore diving site called Blue Heron Bridge. You will find threads on it here on ScubaBoard and much written about it on the internet. It is a real gem!

I'm sure others will chime in on this thread. Feel free to ask more questions as people share their thoughts.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

The best place for sharks, turtles, Goliath Grouper and other large sea creatures in the U.S. is probably Jupiter, FL. Right now most 2 tank dive trips are $95-100, a three tank trip is $130 and includes lunch. That does include weights but does not include any other equipment. All of the charter boats require that you have a dive computer and surface marker buoy, they also recommended that you are Nitrox certified. September is when the Goliath Grouper show up to spawn so it is not unusual to see schools of multiple 300-800 pound fish. We also have the Blue Heron Bridge nearby for some great shallow shore dives.

I think we're of a like mind!

 

[omer1]

Thank you guys for such detailed info! I see just like back home divers are always responsive, inclusive, and just fun people to be around!

So to summarize - Winter months to see more sharks and Summer months to see more groupers and turtles? And I will never be uncomfortable diving in a 5mm?

What's the best way to get to Jupiter? Fly into where?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Thank you guys for such detailed info! I see just like back home divers are always responsive, inclusive, and just fun people to be around!

So to summarize - Winter months to see more sharks and Summer months to see more groupers and turtles? And I will never be uncomfortable diving in a 5mm?

What's the best way to get to Jupiter? Fly into where?

West Palm Beach (closest ... about 20-30 min south of Jupiter) or Ft. Lauderdale (about an hour to an hour and a half south of Jupiter).

Everyone's cold tolerance is different. In the winter I'm comfortable with a 5mm with a hooded vest typically, but I do have a 7mm I will use if the temps drop into the low 70s or lower. I own 2 drysuits but never dive them here in Florida. I prefer diving wet. I had them when I used to do alot of Great Lakes wreck diving.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @omer1

There are many trip reports in the Florida Forum. Click on one of the trip report icons and all the trip reports will be listed for your reading pleasure

You will read about locations, conditions, operators, even some about travel and accommodations. I have spent the last 12-13 years diving in Boynton Beach, West Palm, and Jupiter.

The closest airport is Palm Beach International (PBI, West Palm). You can also fly into Fort Lauderdale. Rental cars are available at the airports. I can't help you with accommodations, have had a townhouse just north of Boynton since 2011.

Personally, I dive my 3mm, 5mm, 7mm full suits with or without my 5/3 mm hooded vest to cover the water temperature range of high 60s/low 70s to mid 80s every year. I tend to get cold, you don't always swim much during drift diving. I had 2 dives in June 2021 with a water temperature of 60 degrees/15.5 C Trip Report - Back in SE FL 2021 part 4

There are many nice divers from the area, here on SB

Best of luck and Happy Birthday

 

[kelemvor]

Like those guys said, temperature is very subjective. During spring/fall/summer in FL I generally dive in a rashguard or just a pair of shorts. I generally don't ocean dive in the winter because we have some good springs nearby that are 72f all year. However, I would think a 7mm would be plenty for winter diving in our ocean waters. Since I own a drysuit, I'd prefer diving in that vs my 7mm neoprene wetsuit - but only because it's less restrictive and far easier to don and doff than a wetsuit.

You have to be careful to avoid becoming overheated with too much wetsuit. I've done that and it is not fun at all.

 

[omer1]

Best of luck and Happy Birthday

Thank you so much that's nice of you to notice!

And thanks to everyone else for the tips! Will definitely look into the trip reports and how to find them. Seems like Jupiter is the most promising place for sharks

One more question if possible - my equipment is in DIN configuration, and I know most operators here still use YOK, would I be able to find DIN tanks here? Would they be extra to rent?

 

[omer1]

Best of luck and Happy Birthday

Thank you so much that's nice of you to notice!

And thanks to everyone else for the tips! Will definitely look into the trip reports and how to find them. Seems like Jupiter is the most promising place for sharks

One more question if possible - my equipment is in DIN configuration, and I know most operators here still use YOK, would I be able to find DIN tanks here? Would they be extra to rent?