Diving4TheHalibut:
My wife and I really enjoy shore diving. We've read about shore diving in Lauderdale By The Sea, but we have not found much information about where to stay. Any recommendations?
A lot of the old places on the water have closed to make way for high-rise redevelopment, including Sandy Shoes (Sea Vista) and - I think - Pier Point. To find hotels on the water, do a Yellow Pages map search on my address, 4200 El Mar Drive (zip 33308) and call anybody with an even numberd address - they'll be on the water.
We do most shore diving around Hibiscus and Datura, just south of Commercial Boulevard (Angler's Pier). You'll be able to find a lot of dive buddies or people to show you around in this zone.
Two other options that have good beach access but aren't on the water are the Holliday Inn, at the south end of our little town, and Clarion up at the north with a great night life. Both are on A1A.
If you don't find a place on the water, a lot of people stay at the Best Inn up on A1A. They're only about $45/night and have a great bar/restaurant downstairs. You'll drive down to the beach (about 3 minutes) because it's just out of walking range.
There's a little dive shop here on A1A but it's mainly for tourists. I use Scuba School & Dive Center on Oakland Park, which has nitrox and all the usual services/stuff.
As Jenny says we have a great dive-life here. Maybe you should also think about a day's trip to the Keys if you've never been. Just a little more than 2 hours south you'll find the best wrecks and reefs in the US.
