Questions re: Diving on west coast of South Florida

[sytech]

Am getting familiar with dive destinations of the east coast of South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale and south through the Keys).

Would like to get some information about what diving is like on the southern west coast of Florida and the proximity to airports that have arriving flights from NYC area.

Thanks,

Sy

 

[adurso]

Fossil diving in Venice. Airport in Sarasota

 

[deepstops]

In addition to the fossil diving, there's good wreck diving well offshore in the Gulf.

There's decent diving infrastructure in the Tampa/St. Pete area and so-so infrastructure from Sarasota down to Naples.

Continental Airlines serves Fort Myers, Sarasota, and of course Tampa with daily non-stops from Newark.

I would also point out the temps in the Gulf are already 10 degrees below the east coast and I've seen as much as a 20 degree difference in February/March.