WPB vs. Pompano Beach diving

[Upwelling]

I will be going to Pompano Beach, using Force E as the dive shop. They have a shop with dives departing from WPB area, and a shop in Pompano (which would be closer to the hotel). Are the dives off of Pompano & WPB pretty much the same or would it be worth driving to WPB? thanks

 

[Charlie99]

I'm not a local, but have done a few trips to FLL/Pompano/Boynton Beach/WPB. The 3rd reef is basically the same in that area.

Pompano has the added advantage of having several wrecks. I'd dive near your hotel.


Charlie Allen

 

[jokeborn]

I love the playground around WPB, have seen so many creatures there. Turtles, rays, barracuda, etc all in the area. Pompano has nice wrecks, Captain Dan was my first down there. A little deeper, but worth the trip.

 

[garyfotodiver]

I use the Force-E shop in Boca Raton, and usually dive from the Diversity or the Fish Food. Both very good operations. You can book either through the dive shop.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

I think the reefs are much prettier in Palm Beach, and there is a lot more diverse life. There are more wrecks in Pompano.

 

[Tom Winters]

Well there is that most-dreaded of all possibilities - dive both areas. Force-E is fine at all three of their locations. The boat ops that they use that I like best are Parrot Island in Pompano and Diversity in Riviera Beach (West Palm to you). Both boats are the nearest boats to their respective inlets. Diversity is ok - the Boca store uses them a lot, but there's a long ride just to get to the inlet.

 

[jviehe]

I vote for West Palm. Drift diving is nice there. Pompano didnt seem to have as much life.

 

[MY01SHADOW]

Well there is that most-dreaded of all possibilities - dive both areas. Force-E is fine at all three of their locations. The boat ops that they use that I like best are Parrot Island in Pompano and Diversity in Riviera Beach (West Palm to you). Both boats are the nearest boats to their respective inlets. Diversity is ok - the Boca store uses them a lot, but there's a long ride just to get to the inlet.

I'll second Tom's advice. Dive both! If you do make it up to WPB ask if you can dive the Mizpah wreck and see how many of the wrecks you can dive before you have to surface. We got 3 out of 4 (5?).

I also use Parrot Island in Pompano (FishFood/Fathoms o Fun). Jerry (owner) is a great guy and runs a fine outfit. We're using him again this May/June.

If it's life you want in Pompano, dive the AquaZoo (Sea Emperer Wreck). Lots of life there (usually). Also, save a few bucks one day and shore dive at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. You won't be sorry. Our max depth there was about 20' and saw all kinds of creatures of varying sizes. Bottom time over 1 hour!

Have fun,

Mike

 

[DennisW]

Both areas have their advantages as has been said. The reefs are nicer in WPB, the wrecks are better off Pompano. All good diving.

 

[Upwelling]

Thanks everyone!...as usual, a wealth of info here...