Visiting Miami - Looking for a dive operator for our group

[cburdick1]

Hi Everyone,

I am visiting Miami around xmas / new years for a family trip. We are a group of 6 divers of various abilities and we would like to book a 2 tank trip.

5 of us are OW or AOW, excepting one of our divers who is 11 years old and Jr. open water certified. Therefore, we will be restricted to max 40' depth.

My thought is that it may be easier to do some shallow shore dives (have heard there are a few in the Miami area) rather than boat as we would probably have to do a private charter, considering our depth restriction.

If anyone can suggest a diver shop or operator who might be able to help us out with a two tank trip, we would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Johnoly]

Hi Everyone,

I am visiting Miami around xmas / new years ...

That's a busy holiday week. One possible dive would be Neptune's memorial reef which is very cool and also meets your snorkel/40ft depths. If I was looking for that type of family dive excursion it would be best to call Austin's Dive Center and ask them for a couple of private recommendations for a shallow charter. Austin's Diving Center | Spearfishing and Freediving Specialists They are one of the best known dive shops in Miami and will know all the 6-pack available dive boats that can put you on the best spots.

The only other big charter in Miami would be Deco Divers but you need to check their schedule since it may not fit your dive requirements Scuba Diving Miami | Snorkeling | Rentals | Deco Divers Many other options if you are willing to drive 30-45mins either north or south that others will chime in on. I just gave you Miami only options.

Enjoy your trip, but call the boats early.

 

[RyanT]

I'd recommend Hydrotherapy Dive charters in Lauderdale by the Sea. They run a great operation and Capt. Nick is very safety conscious. Contact them and tell them that you need a shallow dive. They can put you on the first reef. Max depth will be around 30'. We recently did this trip with them and got a 70 min dive poking along the 1st reef, it was really great. They'll be happy to do a two tank trip for you and you can do both dives on the 1st reef.

Hydrotherapy Dive Charters – Snorkel. Scuba. Explore.

 

[delacrue96]

Check out Tarpoon Lagoon Dive Center | Miami Beach | Scuba Diving | Snorkeling or Diver's Paradise, offers an in water dive guide as part of the package. Have fun!

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Head to Key Largo for some very good reefs and clear, warm water.

 

[Wookie]

That's a busy holiday week. One possible dive would be Neptune's memorial reef which is very cool and also meets your snorkel/40ft depths. If I was looking for that type of family dive excursion it would be best to call Austin's Dive Center and ask them for a couple of private recommendations for a shallow charter. Austin's Diving Center | Spearfishing and Freediving Specialists They are one of the best known dive shops in Miami and will know all the 6-pack available dive boats that can put you on the best spots.

The only other big charter in Miami would be Deco Divers but you need to check their schedule since it may not fit your dive requirements Scuba Diving Miami | Snorkeling | Rentals | Deco Divers Many other options if you are willing to drive 30-45mins either north or south that others will chime in on. I just gave you Miami only options.

Enjoy your trip, but call the boats early.

+1 for Ani and Deco Divers

 

[LI-er]

I wasn't aware of any decent shore dives in Miami. The upper Keys would be a much better option for your group but only if there's any coral and fish left by the time you arrive.

 

[FreqFlier]

If driving to Upper Keys is an option - Quiescence Home | Quiescence Diving Services, Inc. may be a really good fit for you. Or potentially Sea Monkeys in Islamorada Sea Monkeys Divers Islamorada - Florida Keys Scuba Diving, Peter Diving Trips, Snorkeling, Padi Lessons, Eco Tours

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Six divers can own the entire boat at Quiescence.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Nice to see so many good suggestions! Ditto the Neptune reef for a boat dive, though I have yet to do it.. Have heard good things.
If you are willing to drive a bit, heading north to West Palm Beach and Phil Foster park may be an option. It's probably the easiest shore dive around. Dive on the slack high tide, (enter a half our before will get you a good hour bottom time) and get there early as the parking lot tends to fill up fast.

Port of Palm Beach, Lake Worth Tides

tides.net

For shore diving locally, you really need to head north to Broward County/Ft Lauderdale area. Once in Broward, any place Hollywood and north, just about anyplace you can get parking, you can dive. One of the most popular places in Hollywood (and easiest to get to) is Perry St. Rockpile. LBTS also is very popular.