Suggestions for Dive Operations/Sites Near Englewood

[Bobmarley]

Hi Everybody,
My fiance and I just finished up our first year of diving up here in Mass. (~40 dives for the season) and are planning on visiting her grandparents in Englewood the first week in March. We're trying to get the lay of the land and figure out if there are any good shore dives or shops we should get in touch with before we head down. Any dive site suggestions would be a big help so we can start figuring everything out.

Also, Im guessing our 7mm suits would be a little bit of overkill for the FL waters so I was planning on looking at 3mm for myself and she feels that 5mm is better for her since she gets cold relatively fast. Is that what is 'normal' down there with temps near 65 from what I have heard?

Thanks!

 

[CMOST]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ve...9-insider-info-directions-venice-beaches.html

There are many sites to dive in Venice. If you click on the link it will give you directions to all the sites. These are shore dives also. You can look at "Venice Fossil Divers" forum for all kinds of info. If you look up "Aristakat" who is a member of the board and he takes you out on his boat for a 2 tank shark teeth and it's a great time. When you get down here just put up a post and I'm sure you can find some dive buddies to go with you. I'll be available to dive with you. I try to get out at these sites as often as I can. Right know the water temp is 67. That's what is was last weekend when I was out at Alahambra looking for teeth.

 

[Salmonboy97]

Just north of the Tampa bay area the water temps have been 63-64-65 the last three weeks in a row, getting steadily warmer. With this new cold snap it will probably make it a little colder though. I am diving in my 6.5 mil semi dry. As long as I have something to kill I dont feel cold after an hour BT.

 

[Bobmarley]

Thanks for the info, it looks like we may as well just pack up the 7mm suits and wait until we head further south to get lighter suits (I just hope we can get it all on the plane w/o having to worry about more baggage fees...). I will get in touch with you when the trip gets closer for more info CMOST!
Thanks again!