Where to dive in FL?

[gfb]

My wife and I are looking for some nice warm diving so we figured we would go down to florida for a week or two

The plan is to hop on a plane in Chicago, hop off in Miami or Orlando, rent a car and go diving. Trouble is, where do we go? Neither of us have been diving in Florida and have no idea what we _must_ dive We both enjoy wrecks and want to do 2-3 dives a day.

Recommendations greatly appreciated! We are looking to go mid August, hopefully the water will be as warm as the air

 

[Mopar]

I just got back from diving The Vandenburg. Great wreck it is just off shore of Key West.

 

[gfb]

Thats definitely on the list, I just wish Key west and Crystal Springs weren't so far apart!

 

[Scott L]

Key Largo seems to match your requirements well although I am a big fan of drift diving in the Jupiter - Boynton area of Palm Beach County. Heck, why not simply meander from the Springs southward...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjkHf0q4Li4

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...379-boynton-dive-chronicles-new-improved.html

 

[Gatorshark]

With a rental car, no agenda, and 2 or three weeks you can do it all (provided your budget lasts!) Take your time dive in the day and drive a little in th next day to a new locale! Take your time and enjoy! Keys, Ft Lauderdale, Jupiter, Orlando, Crystal River, Venice, even PCola if the oil is away.

 

[gfb]

Hi Gator & Valhalla,

Can you guys give me specific sites to dive? I'm willing to drive/dive it all, just unfamiliar with whats worth driving to

 

[gfb]

ok, so im thinking:
- fly into miami, drive down to key west for two days - dive the vandenberg and?
- drive up the coat towards crystal springs for two days - manatees, devils den, blue grotto? what else? I can make it a 2 or 3 day drive stopping along the coast? Where?

It seems like I might save some money If I could rent tanks at a cheaper place for the whole two weeks instead of peacemeal? Any suggestions?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Scott L]

ok, so im thinking:
- fly into miami, drive down to key west for two days - dive the vandenberg and?
- drive up the coat towards crystal springs for two days - manatees, devils den, blue grotto? what else? I can make it a 2 or 3 day drive stopping along the coast? Where?

It seems like I might save some money If I could rent tanks at a cheaper place for the whole two weeks instead of peacemeal? Any suggestions?

Thanks for all your help!

Key Largo is a much better diving destination than Key West...

 

[gfb]

Thanks for the info Valhalla, are there specific sites or operators in Valhalla that we should look at?

 

[Gatorshark]

I would consider a day of diving in Key West and one day in Key Largo (Spiegal Grove/Duane, etc)

I would definitely try to hit Ft Lauderdale/Jupiter/Boynton Beach area for a day or two of diving. Then head across the state and hit Venice, easy shore diving and you can hunt for Mega teeth/fossils. There is a whole forum here - Venice Beach Fossil Divers- devoted to it.

Try this link to a helpful pretty accurate site

USA : Florida Scuba Diving Sites - Dive Spots