Orlando Area Dive Operators?

[Spartacus20]

Hi,

Unfortuantely it looks like I'm having to cancel a cruise I was going to take over the holidays (Dec 21 - Dec 28) at the last minute (long story - daughter developing allergies, increasingly nervous mother, etc...). Plans are still being worked out, but it looks like we might just head to Orlando instead. I've done some reading on this forum and found several reviews of the different springs/manattee dives within reach, but haven't found any reviews of the operators (likely because this is a local board and nobody needs to use an operator - they just drive and dive).

I've spent very little time researching so far, but the one operator I have found is Orlando Scuba Vacations (apparently the trip arm of the American Dive Institute shop). Does anyone have any experience with them? Any other shops I should definitely look at/stay away from??

Thanks for the help,
Brandon

[DiveInFlorida]

If your just looking to dive or a buddy, check out Lake County Golden Triangle SCUBA Group (Mount Dora, FL) - Meetup.com . You can post the area of interest or see if any locals are doing the springs or Rainbow River, etc. during your stay in Central Florida.

[Fox-Cousteau]

Hi, (Dec 21 - Dec 28) Plans are still being worked out, but it looks like we might just head to Orlando instead. I've done some reading on this forum and found several reviews of the different springs/manattee dives within reach, but haven't found any reviews of the operators Any other shops I should definitely look at/stay away from??

What are you looking for? Spruce Creek Scuba in S. Daytona is sponsoring a dive at Paradise Springs the morning of Dec. 24th.

[Spartacus20]

Really only thing I'm looking for in particular is to dive any of the springs (i.e. not offshore) at least once. Not in Florida much and would like to take this opportunity. Other than that I'm completely open. I've mentioned to some of the people going on the trip with us that I was going to try to see manatee and they were interested in possibly snorkeling. Between work and trying to rearrange this trip at the last second I haven't had any time to even see what's available. I suppose at least one day it would be nice to plan a dive/snorkel trip for several folks (I don't even know if that's realistic yet) with another day of something like Ginnie Springs or Blue Grotto for myself. I'm going to make a couple of phone calls to dive shops tomorrow along with taking DiveInFlorida's advice and just seeing if anybody wants to meet (I hadn't even considered that until he suggested - that's how out of sorts I am).

Thanks for the help so far!

[Fox-Cousteau]

Really only thing I'm looking for in particular is to dive any of the springs (i.e. not offshore) at least once. . . I've mentioned to some of the people going on the trip with us that I was going to try to see manatee and they were interested in possibly snorkeling. . . I suppose at least one day it would be nice to plan a dive/snorkel trip for several folks (I don't even know if that's realistic yet) with another day of something like Ginnie Springs or Blue Grotto for myself. I'm going to make a couple of phone calls to dive shops tomorrow along with taking DiveInFlorida's advice and just seeing if anybody wants to meet

For the scuba/snorkeling thing 2 suggestions:
1. page 20 of Nov/Dec Scuba News has an article on Rainbow Springs Lodging, Rainbow River, and Bird's Underwater dive shop. If you don't have a copy of this FREE mag. try Scuba News

2. For Manatees, I strongly recommend that you contact Capt. Joe at Fun to Dive Scuba. (407) 322-9696 He specializes in Manatee trips and he will make sure you stay out of jail for violating Manatee interaction rules. He is also an accomplished photographer and video-grapher (I made that word up just now) so you should end up with some great pics to make your friends back home jellous!

For the other spring stuff, If you post it they will come...