Visiting tampa

[stas]

Hi,
My girlfriend and I were thinking of trying to make the following plan for our spring break. Sometime on or soon after April 2, we would fly to Tampa and then for one week, divide our time between driving to the springs to see the manatees and doing some local diving in the Tampa area. The cites I have looked at say that manatee season ends on March 31. Do the manatees have calendars and all haul out on March 31 or will be able to find some a week later. Also, can anyone direct me to a website that lists some local (To the Tampa area) dive sites and recommend an operator.

In general, is our plan stupid or is it something reasonable?

 

[truck1]

As far as the manatees I honestly dont know.Worst case scenario you can always drive to Sea World.
PM Capt Ty.He is a member of this board and runs a boat out of Tampa area

 

[truck1]

try these links.These were from our Jan Trip to the sheridan
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=2627935&postcount=266
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y204/engtroll/Sheridan Dive Pics Jan 27th 2007/
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=2624179&postcount=252
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=2624830&postcount=254
The last linkhas Capt Ty contact info.

 

[scootermcfly]

I am planning on being in the Indian Rocks/Tampa area in July, so let me know if you find any good dive shops so I can start planning.

Scooter McFly

 

[truck1]

I am going to send a pm to a local expert and she my be able to help both of you in dive shops in that area.I am about an hour away and have only been in the area once or twice.

 

[Missdirected]

Hi,
My girlfriend and I were thinking of trying to make the following plan for our spring break. Sometime on or soon after April 2, we would fly to Tampa and then for one week, divide our time between driving to the springs to see the manatees and doing some local diving in the Tampa area. The cites I have looked at say that manatee season ends on March 31. Do the manatees have calendars and all haul out on March 31 or will be able to find some a week later. Also, can anyone direct me to a website that lists some local (To the Tampa area) dive sites and recommend an operator.

In general, is our plan stupid or is it something reasonable?

Their calendar runs by the water temps We have had many a warm day lately, so don't set your heart on seeing them, just in case. They come in when the water/weather is cold but as it warms they head back out. The shop to go with up that way is Birds. They will be happy to help you with anything. Stay away from American Pro. I once didn't listen to a wise friend and went with them :shakehead http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=167641

If you do miss the manatees we have a zoo here - Lowry Park Zoo. It is nothing special by any means, with the exception of the manatee exhibit. The zoo takes in and rehabilitates injured manatees. While they are healing you can go underground and view them. There are seating areas, so you can sit there for ages, if you would like. It is a brilliant exhibit and I believe the cost to get in the zoo is about $10.

As for diving the Tampa area; far and away is Captain Ty. You can shoot Captain Ty a pm here on the board. The next place I would recommend is SeaFox/captain Herman. If you know your dates and things, start a thread and other locals will be sure to join you for dives

Let me know if you have other questions.

*oh and thanks Rico

 

[purduepete007]

If all else fails for seeing Manatees, you can try the TECO viewing area. http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/
As for diving in the Tampa area, I agree with Missdirected, Seafox is the boat.

Erik

 

[eandiver]

Indian Rocks you have Jims Dive Shop on Bay Pines Blvd, Aquatic Obsessions in St.Pete on Central Ave, Bill Jacksons in Pinellas Park. Some of the folks in Tampa can give you dive shops over there.

Capt Ty runs a top notch operation out of Bay Pines in St.Pete, Capt Ben with Tanks a lot in Clearwater is as good along with SeaFox and Plunger.

Doubtful on the manatees as the water will be warm(er)

Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[Missdirected]

Indian Rocks you have Jims Dive Shop on Bay Pines Blvd, Aquatic Obsessions in St.Pete on Central Ave, Bill Jacksons in Pinellas Park. Some of the folks in Tampa can give you dive shops over there.

Capt Ty runs a top notch operation out of Bay Pines in St.Pete, Capt Ben with Tanks a lot in Clearwater is as good along with SeaFox and Plunger.

Doubtful on the manatees as the water will be warm(er)

Sounds like a good plan to me.

I forgot to list Ben... Do you know he hasn't been out in 3 months :11: Just spoke to him a day or two ago.

 

[eandiver]

I had called him a month or so ago to see if he was going out but never heard back from him. Why hasn't he gone out?