Sarasota/Manasota Key Diving?

[BeachJunkie]

Hello all,
Yet again this year, I will be going down to Manasota Key for christmas before leaving for Afghanistan. I'm hoping to get in as much diving as I can. (only problem is I'm not bringing any of my gear other than the basics) I'll be staying on Manasota Key. I was wondering if anyone knew any good dive sites/charters/shops that I could check out while I'm there. I'll need some gear rental and tank fills as well. I don't have any ocean dives, only quarry dives in low vis and cold water. I'm looking forward to some decent diving for once. If anyone has any suggestions on places to check out I'd greatly appreciate it. (I'll also be buddy-less so it will probably have to be a shop that does trips with multiple people)

I'll also be headed over to the east coast (melbourne/cocoa beach) area while I'm there. So if anyone has any suggestions for that area, I'd appreciate it as well.

I'm not getting my hopes up but maybe a trip to the keys as well. I might be getting ahead of myself but any and all suggestions are welcomed! Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[BeachJunkie]

Anyone have anything? I keep seeing dive reports from venice area. Anyone have any information on the "boneyard" dive site I've read about? I'd like to do at least one tooth dive while I'm down there.

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

you will find info on the "boneyard" along with other venice dive sites here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-kayak-divers/207402-insider-info-yak-diving.html

 

[dkramer]

Depending on when you are here & how cold the water gets, I'll be happy to buddy up with you at Venice. I have the last week of December & the first week of January off, so I can do week day dives then.

 

[CBulla]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/642540-post2.html <=- some accumulated info for diving the area.

Boat wise, there is FL west.

Mote and Diversolo are also yak divers, they might be groovy and tow you out to the deeper spots

 

[Sh@rkW@tcher]

I'm going to be dive-available from Dec. 21 -Jan 2. Mote closes up the lab & offices during the holidays. The only obligations I have during that time are Xmas with the spouse and a 2 day trip to the East coast to visit the dad-in-law.

 

[Baja Blast]

At florida west they do rentals and also do charters.httpFlorida West Scuba School

 

[Going The Distance]

What dates are you expecting to be in, my december schd leaves me with thurs, fri and sat off. And since I dint get my Keys fix this week due to weather I might be interested.. And I do have a 34 center console with a few mercs at my disposal..

 

[BeachJunkie]

Well I'm here now. I'm on manasota key right on the beach. Got sunburnt but not diving. I'll check out florida west and see what they have goin on. If anyone is doing some semi local diving and needs a buddy or would be willing to buddy up. Let me know. Thanks!