Where to dive near Orlando, Florida ?

[mddolson]

I have to be in Orlando, June 8-15 on business.
I have one day off, Saturday June 14/2003.
I'd like to get a dive in.
Can anyone recommend a nearby sight & shop etc.
I'm traveling light, I can only bring MFS, 3 mm suit, regulator.
I'd need to rent tank, bc, weights + belt.
I've heard devil's grotto is not to far away.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Mike D

ps
I'm a certified instructor, with over 1000 dives.
I am wreck and nitrox certified, but have no cave or cavern training.

 

[Wendy]

There are several threads about this is you do a search.

Are you wanting fresh water dive or a salt water dive? Let me know cuz then it would be easier to suggest something.

Oh and I think you were getting Devil's Den and Blue Grotto mixed up.

 

[mddolson]

Hi Wendy thanks for replying.
I'm in Ontario, Canada
I haven't been to Orlando in about 12 years.
I assumed fresh water since Orlando is more or less central.
I just have the one day so I was looking for something close by.

You're are probably correct on the names, I got the referal 3rd hand.

Mike D

 

[pdoege]

Depending on where you are in Orlando, you may wish to stay a bit closer. Blue springs is very close by.

Anyway, search around the board, this has come up before.

Peter

 

[Wendy]

Some springs are an hours drive, but you can get some good drift diving done with only a 2 hour drive. I think you would enjoy the drift diving in the Jupiter to West Plam area, more to see. But if you haven't ever dived the springs before, some springs within an hours drive are paradise spring, devil's den, blue grotto, and blue springs in orange city.

 

[mddolson]

I'll be at a conference and training course at
The Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive, Orlando
(per web sight )
5 minutes from Universal studios
10 minutes fro airport
10 minutes from Disney World.

If you know some dive operators/shops in the area, I can call them and hopefully hook up with one of them.
I'll need to rent gear.
I've never dived Srings, Caverns, Manatee, etc
I am an experieced river/drift/wreck diver

thanks

Mike Dolson

 

[Wendy]

Ginnie Springs is like 1.5 hours north of Orlando. If you'll have a rental car go up there, they rent gear as well. There is a cavern that is 'deemed safe for ow divers'. Maybe you'll be able to hook up with a buddy from this board.

www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com

If you decide to go the ocean drift dive route, let me know and I can recommend dive ops and shops in those areas.

 

[mddolson]

I have couple of months to look around.
I'll brows the net check out what's in the area.
I appreciate everyone's input.
I've looked at a couple of web sights already.
Look's like I should be able to get a dive in,


Thanks again

Mike D

 

[Dr. Jay]

This one comes up a lot in the Florida Dive Club forum, as well as North America.

I'm quite familiar with "tourist town". The Rosen Centre (formerly the Omni, I think) is a real nice hotel. The Peabody is just accross the street, also a nice hotel. Pointe Orlando is just down the street from the Rosen - good shopping and dining.

Look at driving at least an hour for any diving. I don't know for sure yet, but I may be able to set up a dive for you if you're interested. My normal "dive day" is Sat.

Let me know if you need any more info. I could go on and on about Orlando Tourism and....diving . There's not many huge tourist traps, except I-Drive in general is a little more pricy than most other places. I've been working in the area for a number of years now, and I'd be happy to help .

Jason