... depends on how much time you *really* have to dive.
The Keys would be a priority for me, and Key Largo is fine as far as that goes. The reefs are great, and though you aren't into wrecks so much those in the Keys are GREAT.
You don't have to drive far to dive, however, if you're in Ft. Lauderdale. Just about any local dive operator is great, here. We all have our preferences and they're more or less equally distributed between outfits, so that tells me we're in good hands wherever we dive.
Ft. Lauderdale has great shore diving in addition to boat dives, depending on the weather. Nobody's bored with our local reefs anywhere from the north area of Ft. Lauderdale beach up to the Commercial Blvd. Pier (Angler's) and a little beyond. We get together whenever the weather is cooperative, so post to start a shore dive or just join one already planned.
If you're looking for a place to stay, look for anything on El Mar in Lauderdale by the Sea in the vicnity of the Holiday inn - prices are reasonable and you can gear-up in your room it's so close to the beach!
Palm Beach County has some excellent diving, though you should time the drive to avoid traffic. I wouldn't discourage anybody from diving up around West Palm Beach.
Soo..... if I were planning a trip for somebody, I'd hotel them in Lauderdale by the Sea on El Mar and plan the first trip for the Keys. The rest of the trip would be boat & beach diving locally (includes Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, etc.). Then, if you want a change, you can always return to the Keys or head up to the West Palm Beach area.
seastarr2:
SNIP...Where should I head? Should I go to the Lower Keys or where else? Any great dive operators that I should look for?
