AlmightyApkallu
Contributor
So I'm planning a trip to Florida some time between February to May. I'll probably spend a bit under two weeks there as I'll be driving out from Phoenix. I am also scouting for potential places that I might like to live (Phoenix is not so great for a passionate diver). I know the two most interesting areas to me are the Panhandle (for the slower laid back beach life and pretty reasonable housing prices) and the SE (Miami) area.
I figured I would do a bit of diving and vacationing in both spots, maybe 3 or so days in the Panhandle and 4 or so in the Miami area... But one thing quickly caught my attention. THE PRICES!!! Is it just me, or is the boat diving in the Panhandle at least twice as much as the Miami area (and most places for that matter)??? It seems like you can't do a two tank dive on most boats in the Panhandle for less than $100 or more per person. Am I just looking in the wrong places? What do the locals do, surely a couple doesn't have to pay $200 or more to go out on a boat and do a couple of dives if they live there do they? Are there clubs with their own boats or something?
Maybe I'm missing something here and maybe it's just... Expensive. Regardless, what are some boats/charters/shops you folks would recommend? There are so many wrecks and reefs, it seems very overwhelming trying to pick out where to go. We'd like to stay "around" 70 feet or less. I was also planning on trying a shore dive at the Navarre Beach/Pier area (heard it's great shore diving for the Panhandle) and doing at LEAST one spring (any recommendations? Thinking either Morrison Springs or Devil's Den).
Thanks for any help on this matter.
I figured I would do a bit of diving and vacationing in both spots, maybe 3 or so days in the Panhandle and 4 or so in the Miami area... But one thing quickly caught my attention. THE PRICES!!! Is it just me, or is the boat diving in the Panhandle at least twice as much as the Miami area (and most places for that matter)??? It seems like you can't do a two tank dive on most boats in the Panhandle for less than $100 or more per person. Am I just looking in the wrong places? What do the locals do, surely a couple doesn't have to pay $200 or more to go out on a boat and do a couple of dives if they live there do they? Are there clubs with their own boats or something?
Maybe I'm missing something here and maybe it's just... Expensive. Regardless, what are some boats/charters/shops you folks would recommend? There are so many wrecks and reefs, it seems very overwhelming trying to pick out where to go. We'd like to stay "around" 70 feet or less. I was also planning on trying a shore dive at the Navarre Beach/Pier area (heard it's great shore diving for the Panhandle) and doing at LEAST one spring (any recommendations? Thinking either Morrison Springs or Devil's Den).
Thanks for any help on this matter.
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