Amelia Island and St. Mary Ga Where to Go?

Ok, fellow boarders. I am looking to take my son who is 12 diving for a weekend. He lives in St. Mary, Ga. Which is just across the boarder from Florida, on the coast. I could grab a boat out of St. Mary's but its all wreck diving, and with him only having 8 OW dives in quarry here in Pa, and his check out dives at Blue Gorotto (I know I didnt spell that right). So from speaking with the LDS in St. Mary, the vis is real bad there in the ocean. Like Jersey diving here. Which I wasent to sure if I wanted him in a low viz open ocean dive, just yet.

So I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for some diving in the area of St. Marys, or maybe even Jacksonville. I dont mind traveling 3 hours or so if need be. I dont have the time to take him down the keys just yet, which is where I would like to start him out at. But if there is some beginner dive locations with some stuff to see, I would really like to hear about it.

Plan on heading down like Set. 4 or 5th.

Thanks in advance!

Vis is variable here due to storms and thermoclines but averages 20' to 40' inshore this time of year.Call ahead.
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Shore dives with good vis may be as close as 3 hours away.I have had great dives from the beach from Vero south.

We were at Amelia Island this year and ended up driving to Ginnie Springs,

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Ginnie is about 2 hours away, and well worth it. Awesome dive.

If you don't want to drive that far, I would suggest talking to the people at the Divers Den. Diver’s Den Georgia|Full-Service Dive Shop, PADI Certification, Local Charters