Where are some good shore diving in Florida?

[Hypertek99]

Hi. Been lurking around on here but haven't posted much. My buddies and I are planning to head to florida and are looking for some shore diving. It would cost too much to charter everyday for us? Any suggestions?

 

[KLcelticdiver]

I live in SWFL. Only good place I know of for beach dives is The Venice Beach area. If you are going to the Florida Keys I suggest a little online search. Some good deals going now a days. If you get to Disney's EPCOT they have the Living Seas dive. 3 hour program with a 40 minutes dive, all you need is C-card and photo ID. They supply all else. About $150 last time I looked, it comes with a T-Shirt not sold anywhere. Just a suggestion.

 

[FrogManMike]

St Andrews State Park is a pretty OK but not as nice as it used to be before Katrina beached the ship wreck and destroyed the Artifical Reef that the wreck supported
but it is still a good shallow water dive that is probably one of the closest locations to where you live. there are some other good spots in and around the PCB area just go to one of the local dive shops for info.
Destin also has a couple of shore accessable spots but it has been a while since I have done any diving in destin

might want to hurry before the oil slick covers everything down there.

 

[FrogManMike]

I live in SWFL. Only good place I know of for beach dives is The Venice Beach area. If you are going to the Florida Keys I suggest a little online search. Some good deals going now a days. If you get to Disney's EPCOT they have the Living Seas dive. 3 hour program with a 40 minutes dive, all you need is C-card and photo ID. They supply all else. About $150 last time I looked, it comes with a T-Shirt not sold anywhere. Just a suggestion.

Sounds interesting!
what about if you have your own gear how much then?
I am not too into renting gear.
Besides I am a BIG boy I seriously doubt they have a wet suit and BC that would fit any way
so

 

[jokaz82]

the $150 is kind of a donation that goes to conservations efforts around the world. I dove it 2 yrs ago. nice temp, great visibility, guaranteed to see sharks,rays, dolphins, turtles etc. Its worth it. you can't take your underwater camera though :depressed:

 

[floridanewbe]

welcome aboard. Check out my wordpress its all about shore dives in florida. Ask any questions

 

[FrogManMike]

thanks jokaz82 would sound a lot more tempting if i could use my camera
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Going Down to Destin this weekend to check out the jetty's and shell island
I will post a report and some pics when I get back home

 

[DennisS]

If you're going to be in SE florida, there is a book that gives good shore dive information. I think the title is something like Beach dives, by Ray Mcallister. It's available in most dive shops for about $15

Another good book for the whole state is Ned DeLoachs "Underwater Florida"

There is a sticky in the florida conch divers forum on this board, it's called insider information-local dives