Hi, I may organize a dive trip in Florida with 5 to 10 divers. I have no idea where to go in Florida since I don`t know what dives are available where... So far I`ve heard about: - diving with the Manatee - dolphins (the keys I think) - spiegel grove`s wreck - megalodon teeth Is it possible to do all this in the same area? Does anyone have a suggestion? We`ll need to rent a condo, or motel rooms. And need to find a charter and possibly shore dives (if possible). Thanks !

Comments

Sandrabramm - 11/29/2007 10:57 PM Ocean Quest Scuba "Sandy`s Sunday" out of West Palm Beach is a great operation, and your group could charter the whole boat for a great price. Good diving, great crew, and no bottom time limits, you get to dive your computer. Hunter and Photographer friendly. Ask about thier group rate. www.oceanquestscuba.com

anemone - 11/11/2007 8:03 PM Crystle River/Homosassas springs is the best area to find the manatees, I have gone several times and use Americanpro divers, they are excellent in setting up any combo of dives you want. However, you cannot dive with the manatees, only snorkle with them. The dives are in the local caverns around the area, and for cavern dives they are not bad. This is also a great area for kayak/canoeing.

MsDiver - 11/07/2007 9:44 PM If you want to go to West Palm Beach for drift diving on reefs, check out Capt Bill and his boat, The Wetter the Better. Really good guy with great crew. I`ve gone out with him via Ranger Rick, instructor (he`s on DiveBuddy too) several times. Variety of dives from 50 ft reef to 100 ft wreck options. Capt Bill 561-253-4294. Good luck and have fun in Florida. Teri

ReefHound - 11/07/2007 10:43 AM There is excellent shore diving along the southeast Florida coast near Ft Lauderdale where you can reach the first reef line or two. There is decent shore diving along the panhandle coast where there aren`t natural reefs but plenty of life on the pier rubble and jetties.

BMoore_Naui_Ins - 11/07/2007 8:18 AM Off Pensacola we have the Oriskany, the worlds largest artificial reef. A totally intact aircraft carrier from the Viet Nam era. Vis is between 50-60 to 100+ feet. A spectacular dive!

TColJeep - 11/06/2007 10:24 PM South Florida is drift diving. Easy, comfortable and usually some great viz. I go down to Boynton Beach for a week each year and dive with Splashdown Divers. (www.splashdowndivers.com). I don`t think you would be disappointed with the boat, captain or crew.

seawolfdiving - 11/06/2007 5:22 PM As far as North & Central Florida goes, I recommend that you check out Scuba World in Orlando. They are very familiar with most springs and Atlantic coast dive sites and can book a dive trip just about anywhere. As for the Keys, I usually dive with Amy Slate at Amoray in the upper Keys. In middle keys I like Looe Key Dive Center. and For Key West I use Key West Divers. It`s been two years since I visited, but these folks have all been in business for a very long time and they usually do a great job.

OcalaJim - 11/06/2007 11:07 AM My personal experience along with living in Florida... stay away from the Gulf Coast. The visibility is poor. The only exception is diving in Venice for Megalodon teeth. I dive with Florida West Scuba School in Venice Beach. Jupiter has some great diving and there are plenty of dive operations in Jupiter. Further South, like Ft. Lauderdale, Lantana and those areas, you *can* get pristine diving conditions much like the Bahamas. Check out Starfish Enterprise. Great crew and good diving from within 1/2 mile offshore.