Snorkeling / freediving in Ft. Lauderdale?

[daniel1948]

I may be in Ft. Lauderdale in October with time on my hands. Are there any good snorkeling operators in the area?

I do NOT want to go on a party boat that makes a stop for snorkeling, and I do not want to go somewhere so shallow that you just float on the surface. Ideally it would be an outing where there would be nice corals and fishes with good stuff to see in the 15 to 30 foot range, and better yet if the crew are trained and competent to act as buddy/spotter for a few attempts around the 50-foot range.

I've taken one beginners' freediving class, and might take another, and I'd like to spend a few days practicing what I've learned, trying my limits with adequate supervision, and just enjoying some easy snorkeling and freediving. E.g., three or four tries for depth, and an hour or two of just fun snorkeling and shallow diving.

 

[Zaixon]

I'm not too sure of any charter boats that go out for freediving but Most of the reefs are not that far of a swim from the beach, its just past the end of pier on south side. Especially at Lauderdale By The Sea where there is 2 sections of reef, the first being at 10'-15' and when u go a bit past that the next section is at say 20'-25' I've been out there a few times not both scuba and freediving and its nice. Theres also some good spots off Dania Beach but its a little further of a swim.
oh and you'll always need a dive flag so its good to have a buddy with you, if you dont have one there's usually always people on the beach that would be interested

 

[danvolker]

I'm not too sure of any charter boats that go out for freediving but Most of the reefs are not that far of a swim from the beach, its just past the end of pier on south side. Especially at Lauderdale By The Sea where there is 2 sections of reef, the first being at 10'-15' and when u go a bit past that the next section is at say 20'-25' I've been out there a few times not both scuba and freediving and its nice. Theres also some good spots off Dania Beach but its a little further of a swim.
oh and you'll always need a dive flag so its good to have a buddy with you, if you dont have one there's usually always people on the beach that would be interested

The reefs off of Boynton Beach are far better for a Freediver than the ones in lauderdale.....plenty in boynton are 40 to 45 on top of crown, with 55 to 60 as a standard depth for the bottom of inshore facing ledge.
splashdown Dive charters let's me Freediver any time the conditions are good for it...meaning the bottom current and surface current are similar enough so that I can stay in the same area as the scuba divers whose flag I utilize-- without me having to work too hard during the surface/rest phase. Drops down to where scuba divers are is always easy, it's the surface currents which can pull you off the reef some days that would screw this up occasionally. Also, you are better off if the divers whose flag you share are Not macro photographers....as you do want to be able to drift down current.
DanV

 

[daniel1948]

Thanks to both Zaixon and Danvolker for your replies. In the end I wound up signing up for classes with Performance Freediving. It meant a slight change in my travel dates, but is worth it. Even though the diving will be in the gulf stream, and won't have as much to see as on a reef, I have been wanting to take more classes, and this will be ideal for me.

I'll remember Boynton Beach as a freediving destination for a future trip when (hopefully) my diving skills will be even better than they are now. Maybe freedive on days when the currents permit, and scuba on the days they do not.

Thanks again.