As we are coming from Maui, would love to dive wrecks. Can anyone recommend the best dives &/or operations in the area? .........., but only have one free day.
Here are my recommendations. Others will have favorite boats and all of them are very good. In order of Closest to farthest from Orlando.
New Smyrna/Daytona - 90 minutes north - Sea Dogs, usually a couple of wreck dives to about 16 miles out, can hunt, viz is tough for photogs.
Jupiter - 2 hours south - Jupiter Dive Center or Emerald Dive Charters,,Big Big fish, lots of sharks, plenty of hunting. Definetely W/A for photogs, Wrecks, wrecks & more wrecks. My personal favorite!
West Palm Beach - 2hrs 15mins south - Too many OPs but I like Pura Vida & Narcosis, & Hypnautical(6pack). Fantastic photography location, great viz, nice soft corals, hunting not typically encouraged. Nice wreck system also.
Boynton/Lantana - 2hrs 30mins south - I like Dive Charters Inc and Starfish,,Great reef system for macro photogs, some very unusual finds on this reef section.
Boca - 2hrs 45mins south - Diversity boat is my choice here, Capt Tony is just about the best on putting you on what you ask him to see.
Pompano/FLL - 3 hrs south - Too many OPs and I'm not a frequent diver of these spots, but for hunting I like Capt Conrad on Miss Conduct(6pk), A mandatory/must stop visit has to be Fill Express to see what a fill station on steriods looks like.
Key Largo - 5 or 6hrs depending on traffic - So many great charters, but Capt Gary gets my vote. Lots of boats, but that doesn't mean you can just walk on a boat. Make reservations for all the boats.
Hope this helps.
