Spring break in Florida

[Scuba Barbie]

We are wanting to plan a dive trip for spring break. In order to save on airfare, I thought we might try Florida.

Will the water be warm in the middle of March?

 

[Jarhead]

1. Define "warm.
2. What part of Florida?

The Panhandle will be in the mid-60s F. The keys will be in the mid-70s maybe lower 80s. Tom or Walter or Wendy or some of the rest of the South FL group can answer address that part better than I.

We start diving the panhandle in 3mm again in April. SI is the rough part.

Hope this helps,

Jarhead

 

[Scuba Barbie]

Doing some research, it may be that the best place to dive is the keys?

Warm - hmmm from a Houstonian's perspective means a 3m wetsuit or less...

 

[Scuba Barbie]

Jarhead - I forgot to add to my post:

thanks for the information, it does help.

 

[Walter]

The Gulf will probably be in the low 60's with the Atlantic in the mid 70's. The winter of '00 - 01 was bitterly cold with Gulf temps in the low 50's with at least one dip into the upper 40's. Temps drop to wet suit weather next month and stay too cold for me to go with out a wet suit until May.

 

[11B3Y]

I am planning on a Florida vacation during Christmas in or near the Keys. Is the weather (water temps) still warm?
1. For casual swimming / tanning / bumming on the beach?

2. Will a 3mm suit be enough for diving?


Can any South Florida residents recommend a good place to stay that's also near a great dive shop? I need to take care of my Nitox referrals while down there.

Just an FYI - I am originally from the St. Pete area but have not resided in Florida since joining the Army in 79'. I do remember that the Novembers/Decembers were delightful in the Tampa bay area.

Any specific information will be greatly appreciated...thanks!

Thomas

 

[pdoege]

Hello -

This link only covers the Gulf coast.

http://www.marco-island-florida.com/weather.htm

But it should be in the high 60s low 70s.

Peter

 

[Scuba Barbie]

Looks like I am going to head further south.
:cold:

 

[AltonK]

From Palm beach south a 3mm is fine. The thing about winter/early spring is that the winds prevail out of the east. It makes for nasty surface conditions. If you have a tendency to feed the fish on a rough day you may want to consider this too..

 

[MSP Rescue Diver]

Here's a link with average air and water temps in Ft. Lauderdale. March temp of 72°. Bbbbrrrrrrrr - I might be waiting until summer to get back into the water again.

Marc