PADI O.W. cert in Florida?

[PaulVS]

My wife & I have decided that instead of doing our O.W. final in Haigh quarry here in Chicago in May (Brrrrr) that we'd take a 3-day weekend and go to Florida in April to get it done.

We were thinking about Jenny (Ginnie?) Springs, but we'd prefer an ocean dive with some scenery if possible.

I'm looking for recommendations of either good locations or good PADI shops in southern Florida where we could do this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wreckchick]

You might have to narrow this down a little for us... did you want to stay on the mainland? Come down to the Keys? South Florida is chock full of dive shops, PADI and everything else as well.

Rachel

 

[PaulVS]

We are pretty open as far as location goes - it would just be a getaway-weekend to get cert'd.

I've been involved in scuba since the 70's, but my wife has only done 5 discovery dives in Jamaica, Cozumel, and Cancun.... so we'd prefer someplace with 'easy' dive conditions for the o.w. test. (warm water, good vis, low current/drift, etc.)

We were thinking about Islamorada, but we'd like to be close to one of the major airports so we don't have to rent a car - although that's not a deal-breaker.

 

[divnamite]

Assuming you flying into Miami, you need a car no matter where you go. Try to rent a car in the city, it's MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper with the weekend deal, you save at least $200. I dove in Key Largo. It's about an hour and half drive from Miami international airport. BTW, do you get sea sick, if you do, you might have problem doing the exercise before you even get there. I get seasick, and for that, I'm so glad I did the OW in a quarry in Penn.

 

[ppo2_diver]

Haigh Quarry in May isn't that bad. I've done classes in April. But most dive shops in the area will start their OW classes around the middle of May.

DJ

 

[ScubaJW]

You could fly in Miami airport then take a cab to Key Largo and stay at Amoray (www.amoray.com). It's like "Scuba" hotel. The water is right there! They also offer lessons and/or offer final open water like you guys. They even have boats to take you out there to the reefs and Pennekamp area. Good luck finding the right one.

 

[Stine]

I literally just got back today from taking my OW Cert in Fort Lauderdale with Dixie Divers!
AMAZING!
They were absolutely the nicest group of people, Chris the dive master on the boat was incredibly helpful.
They provided snacks, and tons of encouragement!
We went to four different sites- and there was an abundance of critters swimming around...Lobsters, eels fish, and my personal fave- a sea turtle!

I can't think of enough good things to say about these guys!

 

[daniel f aleman]

First choice, Fort Lauderdale - ProDive, many other shops. Second, Marathon - Hall's, you can direct get flights too; great diving. Third, Orlando - Florida Technical Scuba; Disney.

 

[RJP]

I can recommend SplashDown divers in Boynton Beach, just north of West Palm.

Did my OW checkout with them just a few weeks ago.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/

Kevin was my instructor and couldn't have been better; we knocked out all the skills and then spent all the time drifting on the splendid reefs right off West Palm. Turtles, eels, even a few nurse sharks.

 

[Divers Direct]

Assuming you have 3-days come down to ft.lauderdal and do your cert. dives. The diving in ft. luderdale is great, and the night life even better. Their are a few dive shops that i recommed. You can try divers direct in dania beach, they are locate near the ft.lauderdale airport.their number just in case is 954-925-7630,they are open unitl 10:00P.M MONDAY THRU FRIDAY.come on down to have some real diving pleasure.