What outfit to dive with in Palm Beach, Fl?

[grayfoxden]

Hi,
Unfortunately, I'm a vacation diver with advanced open water rating, but less than 20 dives since I live in the desert. Really crazy about diving and read anything and everything. Going to West Palm Beach August 16th.
1] will this be in lobster season?
2] who & where would you reco for a boat dive to see some reef fish?

thanks,

grayfox

 

[scuba's4me]

Hi grayfox,
I used to live in the west palm beach area for many years and still return annually to visit family and continue diving. In recent years I have used a charter called Puravida and have been very happy with them. They are a solid dive operation and are willing to take you to some nice dive spots further south along the Breaker's reef (that some dive charters won't bother to do).
Can't recall the dates for the mini and lobster season--sorry.
Have fun--I'm sure you will!
You may already know this, but south Florida diving is all drift diving (and there is usually a pretty good current) so make sure you follow the dive guide--that way you'll never be lost

 

[floridanewbe]

Welcome aboard.Try the FLORIDA CONCH section on the boards for more details

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

S. Florida diving isn't all drift diving, just more so up in the Palm Beach area. Generally speaking, it can be a little more advanced there because of the current. Near WPB, you can brush up on your skills before heading to open water at Blue Heron Bridge. You will get to see fantastic stuff, and not flying past you at 3 knots like in the currents. After that, Kevin at Underwater Explorers is always highly recommend, although it would be a little south of you in Boynton Beach. Kevin will guide you to all of the great stuff at no extra charge. Even more south in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, you can do beach dives and not worry about the current either usually. There are good ops in WPB, but I don't get up there too often so I can't recommend any off the top of my head.

You will be in regular lobster season in August. Make sure you get a visitor's license which you can get online. Again, the currents in WPB will be a factor to consider if you're going to try lobstering for the first time. It certainly doesn't make it easier.

 

[metaldector]

There are many charter boats that leave from Riveria Beach Marina, making reservations is easy as walking up to the boats or visiting any local dive shop. They all have their connections with the dive boats. I prefer a 6 pack to the cattle boats. 6 pack can only have 6 passengers while cattleboats have no limits except those set by the Coast Guard. Most do the same dive spots although on a 6 pack you might get them to go to specific dive spots. Anyway, do a search for West Palm Beach Dive Boats and you'll get a lot of good info,

 

[bEasy2o1o]

@GrayFoxDen,
I'm pretty sure the lobster mini season is July 28-29th. Then the regular Lobster season starts Augest 6th and last through March 31.

 

[rbflgirl]

GrayFoxDen -
I'm new to diving - my check out dives were with LittleDeeper charters...they were fantastic! My instructor swears by them and I've got several friends that use them. Check out their website...littledeepercharters.com


Good luck!

 

[joystershell]

I second the recommendation for ScubaBoard's own DiveMaster of the Year, ScubaKevDm. He acts as in water DM on trips from his boat, and will be sure to show you the sites and make your trip quite enjoyable. Here is the link to his site; https://securec7.ezhostingserver.com/diveboyntonbeach-com/indexs.cfm

 

[Scott L]

Hi,
Unfortunately, I'm a vacation diver with advanced open water rating, but less than 20 dives since I live in the desert. Really crazy about diving and read anything and everything. Going to West Palm Beach August 16th.
1] will this be in lobster season?
2] who & where would you reco for a boat dive to see some reef fish?

thanks,

grayfox

Concentrating on your specific request I like the Wetter the Better Dive Charter out of Lake Park Marina. If you can dive deeper profiles there are other charters in the area who are more hunting focused to also recomend...

Scuba Diving in the Palm Beach area - Walkers Dive Charters

 

[livetwodive]

I'll second Walker's charters. I dove with them last year and have a trip set with them in mid July.