biscayne NP diving info needed

I've been reading the forums for a while now but this is my first post so go easy on me

any way some co-workers and I are going to Biscayne National Park in March of this year. we are going to be camping and diving.

I am looking at camping in the national park on elliot key, and diving that weekend with the dive operator for the park. going to do that Sat and Sun two tank dives.

I noticed we have to take a boat out there from the "convoy point" so we can't actually drive out there, is that correct? could make it difficult to get the camping and Diving equipment out there.

has anyone camped and dove from the park? is it worth it? I am kind of worried about having to take the boat out to the key and leaving the car on the main land all weekend.

any tips, do, or don't would be GREATLY appriciated.

I decided to go here after reading several posts about people suggesting it. but they didn't go into much detail about it. anyone care to go into great detail for me? especially on the camping and getting there part?

Thanks!
Seth

I did not take my own boat there, but I did a charter dive their. We got there around 11:00 am and the road leading in was full. I mean FULL!!!!! The charter boat had to get the rangers to escort us from the middle of the line into the park so we could go diving. I would suggest going there very very very early.

so what is the deal with the boat. we are drving from Atlanta and mapquest said it's a 12 hr drive.

are there certain times the boat goes?

do you know what the charter you took was called?

we are going to camp while we are there, I really enjoy camping (and the money it saves)

oh yea the dates we are going is March 11th-13-th (fri-sun)

Have you researched the park at all?

Biscayne National Park

I've been out to some of the islands by boat, but have never formally dived in the area.
However, the website seems to specify the only camping available is on one of the islands within the park itself, not on the mainland. Therefore, I would assume you will have little access to your car while there. (And I'm pretty sure I've never seen any cars on the islands...they aren't large).

However, as you noted, the dive boat pulls out from the mainland and back, so it seems you would be traveling back and forth from the Key you're camping on to the mainland in order to go out diving......assuming your group is not bringing their own boat.
Specifically, this link Concessions details the ferry to and from the islands, as well as the dive boat operations.

Hope that's helpful; enjoy your trip!

There is only one dive operator that operates at the Convoy Point HQ. They only run scuba trips on Saturdays and Sundays. You can drive to Convoy Point, but access to Elliot Key is only by boat so you'd have to rent one. There are cheap motels in nearby Florida City and Homestead (although I don't know if I'd drive 12 hours to go there).

You might consider driving the additional 20 miles to Key Largo. I think there is camping available at Pennekamp park, which you can drive to. I think Pennekamp Park also has only one authorized on-site dive operator, but there are dozens of other operators within a couple minutes drive. IMO, the diving is also better and with many more options.

I have seen their website and even talked to them, I jsut wanted to get fellow diver's opinions.

I don't like the idea of having to carry all the camping AND the dive equipment like it sounds like I would have to there. I like being able to lock some stuff (including food) in the car when I leave.


the pennekamp looks really nice I will have to look into that more.

I tried booking twice with the park dive op and both times, a single group had chartered all the spots. Make sure you make a reservation as soon as you know you are going.

Elliot Key is the island located about 3 miles from the mainland. Convoy point is the park headquarters, there are exhibits, parking, and concessions. There is no way to get to Elliot except by boat. There is a ferry from Convoy Point.

The dive boat leaves from convoy point. This means that you would have to take the ferry in $$, go out on the dive trip, and then take the ferry back out $$ to the key after the trip. If the ferry runs such a schedule, which is unlikely.

The dive boat only goes out Sat and Sunday. Sunday is usually an advanced dive to the "wall" that starts around 100 ft. Check and see what the qualifications are.

Camping on Elliot is great, unless the bugs are out-ie. no wind.
Snorkeling off of Elliot is great, unless there is a wind. I've never done it but I bet the beach diving would be excellent.

I'd recommend camping during the week and staying at one of the motels, about 15 minutes away, while diving the weekend. The motels are in the $40-60 range. An alternative is the "campground", mostly RVs, near the turnoff to Biscayne nat'l.

If you are toting your dive gear around with camping gear, think about a hand truck.

If you're planning on camping at Pennecamp get a reservation now, they fill up fast.