I moved into this forsaken place a decade ago. Came from what I consider the real side of Florida, erroneously thinking "how different can it be?"
Back "home" in Broward County I never felt the need of owning a boat, on the opposite... my philosophy back then was that it was crazy to own a boat, when I can choose from a list of boats to go diving for a very reasonable price.
So I moved up here in '01 and what a shock. For starters the prices were at least double, granted it takes for ever and a day to get to a dive site to yes I understand the need for more fuel means more cost, but then came the real deal breaker: at least back then, their typical MO was to get your name over the phone to reserve a spot and that's it. Hmmm what a friendly trusting quaint place, they don't ask for credit card #'s, I wondered.
Well, many many times, the morning of the dive you are already in the boat around 45minutes before the "so called" departure time with no one else besides the capt and crew. Departure time comes and goes and still no one shows up. I guess the trip is cancelled. wtf? so me, the local (potentially loyal) diver gets screwed because the tourist that called the previous Monday, went drinking the night before and doesn't feel like getting up early or even make a phone call to cancel.
I had enough of that in a couple of years, so I did what most of the locals do: got myself a boat and what a great decision that was. Turns out not only I like diving I enjoy boating enormously.
So I have no recommendation for dive boats, but for dive shops you can't go wrong with Dive Locker and PC Dive Charters, both owners Pat and Tony along with their people will go great lengths to get your business.
Good luck here, I personally had my fill of the place, hopefully I'll get my transfer soon and go back home to Pompano Beach were I can go back to a real ocean.