Suggestions for west FL coast diving needed

[Beachman]

I'll be in the Engelwood Beach area (between Sarasota and Ft Myers near Punta Gorda) for a week and would appreciate comments on diving opportunities I should check out and nearby dive operations to use.

I'm DM and Nitrox certified with around 350 logged dives down to 170 fsw.

Don't care about dive conditions......more interested in cool "must do" stuff.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Walter]

When will you be in the area?

Fossil dives off Venice Beach are fun.

 

[Beachman]

I have a place in Tavernier, FL in the upper Keys that I use October - April. I just put in a timeshare exchange for Engelwood around March of next year....we have folks we know in FT Myers, Punta Gorda, and Sarasota. Sort of a mini-vacation getaway idea to socialize with old friends.

My dive gear goes everywhere I travel, so I get anxious to find out what to expect on the diving front very early wherever I plan to go.

I've heard that sharks teeth are big deal off Venice beach. Also that beach diving and hunting are mostly the thing in this area.

Any other ideas? Wrecks?

 

[Wildbill]

Beachman,

I live across the harbor from Punta Gorda in Charlotte Harbor. I am new to diving and have not been to this place but check out their site. It is in Venice 'bout 30 min trip north up US 41.

www.floridawestscuba.com

They advertise shark tooth trips and they have info on artificial reefs, a German freighter and intact army tanks.

Good Luck, and drop us a line.

Wildbill

:copper:

 

[Beachman]

I looked them up and expect they'll be able to give me what I'm looking for. I'll check them out better when I know I've got the timeshare exchange locked in.

Really appreciate the help....