South Florida (Naples, Miami) diving?

[Pisces Diver]

Hi gang, I know this question has probably been asked before, but I did a search and didn't find the answer I was looking for, so.... I'll be in Florida next week, Orlando to Naples to Miami to Orlando again, and would love to find a 2 tank boat dive while in the Naples or Miami area. Haven't dived (dove?) in Florida yet, but am looking for some advice for what options there are. I'll be in Naples 5 nights, and Miami just one night, but could do a Sunday morning dive while there. Thanks for any advice you can offer as to dive operators, locations, etc.

[Scubastud16]

There's really not much in Naples, unless you have your own boat. There are 1 or 2 guys that run charters out of Marco Island in the South. Diving on the gulf side (Naples/Venice/Sarasota) is much, much different than Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. I'll be in Naples next Tuesday/Wednesday until Friday, and I may do a "shore" dive. If you can call it that (small rubble pile in about 6-10 feet of water). The real wrecks, viz, depth, fish, etc. are all way offshore.

Danny

[Marvel]

I've never dived with them but I've heard good reports about RJ's in Miami. Their boat is great. On the west coast, the trips out/back are much longer. You might want to consider a beach dive to look for shark's teeth in Venice. Here's a thread on it: Venice

[Pisces Diver]

Any idea what water temperatures are like now? I have a shorty, which was fine in the Virgin Islands last month...

[deepstops]

For Miami, there's only one charter I'd consider, RJ Diving Ventures.
here's a link to water temps in the Miami area: NDBC - Station FWYF1

Here is RJ's schedule:

April 26th, Saturday @ 8:30 AM............Cascades Drift (50-80') and the pipes (45')
April 26th, Saturday @ 1:00 PM..............2 reefs (30')
April 27th, Sunday @ 8:30 AM...........Private charter FULL
April 27th, Sunday @ 1:00 PM..........The Belcher Barge (60') and the Neptune Atlantis reef (40')
April 30th, Wednesday @ 6:00 PM.........the Proteus (75') and the Belcher NIGHT (60')
May 1st, Thursday @ 11:00 AM.............2 reefs (30')
May 2nd, Friday @ 1:00 PM.............The Princess Brittany, Atlantis Neptune
May 3rd Saturday @ 8:30 AM.............The Orion (100') and the pipes (45')
May 3rd, Saturday @ 1:00 PM...........2 reefs (30')
May 4th, Sunday @ 8:30 AM..........The Belcher Barge (60') and the Neptune Atlantis reef (40')
May 4th, Sunday @ 1:00 PM............. The Belcher Barge (60') and a reef (30')

[Pisces Diver]

Thanks, that's just the kind of info I was looking for!

[diver918]

RJ diving seems to have a good setup. May give them a call when I make a trip down to visit the family.

[deepstops]

RJ diving seems to have a good setup. May give them a call when I make a trip down to visit the family.

While their boat is big and holds quite a few divers when full, there's nothing out there like the 42' and 46' Newton Dive Specials.

[HawkCane]

I dive with RJ all the time. I have also gone on different boats from West Palm to the Keys and RJs is the best boat I have been on. I, personally, think that the night dives on the wrecks are the best dive to do in the Miami area. Also, here is the updated schedule:

April 26th, Saturday @ 1:00 PM..............2 reefs (30')
April 27th, Sunday @ 8:30 AM...........Private charter FULL
April 27th, Sunday @ 1:00 PM..........The Belcher Barge (60') and the
Neptune Atlantis reef (40')
April 30th, Wednesday @ 6:00 PM.........the Proteus (75') and the Belcher
NIGHT (60')
May 1st, Thursday @ 11:00 AM.............2 reefs (30')
May 2nd, Friday @ 1:00 PM.............The Princess Brittany, Atlantis
Neptune
May 3rd Saturday @ 8:30 AM.............The Orion (100') and the pipes (45')
May 3rd, Saturday @ 1:00 PM...........2 reefs (30')
May 4th, Sunday @ 8:30 AM..........The Belcher Barge (60') and the Neptune
Atlantis reef (40')
May 4th, Sunday @ 1:00 PM............. The Belcher Barge (60') and a reef
(30')
May 7th, Wednesday @ 6:00 PM............The DEMA Trader and a reef (30')
May 8th, Thursday @ 11:00 AM...........2 reefs (30')
May 9th, Friday @ 1:00 PM............The Orion (100') and a reef (30')
May 10th, Saturday @ 8:30 AM.............The Sheri Lyn (110') and a reef
(30')
May 10th, Saturday @ 1:00 PM.............2 reefs (30')
May 11th, Sunday @ 8:00 AM.........The Patricia (55') and the Tanks (55')
SCHEDULE CHANGE
May 11th, Sunday @ 12:00 PM...The Belcher Barge (60') and the Neptune
Atlantis Reef SCHEDULE CHANGE