Upcoming Florida Trip

[DoubleBubbles]

Hi all; My daughter is going to complete her certification in Florida, specifically Panama City Beach in mid March. She, my son, and I are going to dive Vortex Springs on Saturday, then dive in the Gulf on Sunday. The name of the motel we are staying at in Panama City Beach is "Holiday Lodge & Resort", and the dive boat we are going out on is called "Splash". Our LDS is setting the trip up. Anyone ever used these facilities or dive boat? Any recommendations for where to eat (cheap)?

Thanks!

 

[The Chairman]

But that's out of my "Florida Neighborhood"...

 

[Stone]

DoubleBubbles,

Here's a link to the Coastal Waters Forcast that I use when I dive PC.

And here's the link I use for real time Buoy Data . It says Pensacola, but the buoy is closer to PC.

Have fun!

 

[sharpenu]

That area of FLA put the LA in FLA. That part of Florida is what we peninsula dwellers call LA--- for Lower Alabama. You know, the part of Florida that seems like a Jeff Foxworthy skit. (Before the flames start, I am KIDDING) I usually don't dive that far north (too long of a drive) and I don't dive the Gulf much. Let us know how it was and have fun!

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Uhm vortex? Can we say YUCK? The two in that area that comes to mind is morrison springs (right down the road, really), cyphress springs and magnolia springs. These are MUCH better than vortex. If you like diving in the swimming pool enviroment then by all means do vortex.

The holiday lodge is a decent place to stay and I am not familar with that boat. What shop is it thru?

Ed

 

[DoubleBubbles]

Vortex was chosen by the Dive Instructor. I am sure it was because of the fact he will have 5 neophytes (including my daughter) and two recently certified divers (my son and me) with him. He most likely wants a "safe" place to get them comfortable. The boat is out of PC Dive Center. The boat is featured at www.pcdivecenter.com/splash I have never been in the springs down there, or out in the gulf, but sure am looking forward to the trip! Now just gotta' find some good cheap food while down there. My two teenagers eat like horses.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Well cyphress springs is the #1 place to get certified at. The natural beauty is a far cry better than the man made junk at vortex. Plus you can really spoil new divers at cyphress.

Ed

 

[DoubleBubbles]

Originally posted by sharpenu
That area of FLA put the LA in FLA. That part of Florida is what we peninsula dwellers call LA--- for Lower Alabama. You know, the part of Florida that seems like a Jeff Foxworthy skit. (Before the flames start, I am KIDDING) I usually don't dive that far north (too long of a drive) and I don't dive the Gulf much. Let us know how it was and have fun!

LOL! Up here it is known as The Redneck Riviera.

 

[Duncan]

Highly recommend Hydrospace in PC. Dove with them last fall. The dives are just offshore with a water depth of about 85' max. Good sandy Bottom with several wrecks (USS Strength), and old bridge spans sunk as artificial reefs. Saw a good bit of marine life, jewfish, rays, etc.

Professional operator.

Good Luck.

 

[Rick Murchison]

The Splash is one of PCDC's boats, a 33 footer - see http://www.pcdivecenter.com/splash.htm PCDC has larger boats too, so you should still be able to get out unless it gets really rough. [Frankly, this time of year I'd ask your shop to get a different boat - one of the crew boats that has a cabin. It's a pretty good bet that y'all will freeze your tails off on the Splash]
Holiday Lodge is where we always stay when diving at Hydrospace (next door - PCDC is about three miles distant). Right now Holiday Lodge is looking a little rough as the office has just been knocked off to make room for the new bridge connecting Panama City with Panama City Beach (your motel and your boat are actually in PC Beach) - I was there this past weekend and it was fine. Nothing fancy, but adequate.
It is the "off season" in Panama City right now. You said mid-March - March 16-24 is Spring Break, and you won't be able to stir the college kids with a stick that week - but aside from that week it'll be pretty quiet. Many restaurants are closed until Memorial day, but there are still plenty of good places to eat. Four of my favorites are the Black Angus (excellent steaks and seafood - the Grecian Grouper is superb) and Bayou Joe's in PC; Hamilton's and Montego Bay in PC Beach. Montego Bay has two restaurants - They and Bayou Joes are less expensive than the other two. The usual collection of fast food joints are available if you really want to go cheap.
We'll be at Cypress this weekend.
Have fun...
Rick