Quick drive down weekend trip ideas?

[divad]

96 hours with in-laws.

Is that a good thing?

 

[hilljo88]

Call/google dive shops to see what dives they are running. There are several good shops. We like Pura Vida on Singer Island and Rainbow Reef on Key Largo. If budget is no issue you can hire dive guide or even schedule AOW dives with instructor. Note that some shops run their own boats and some just book space on independent boats. Wind can be an issue both in the Keys and up north, so check the weather before heading out. Keys have some reef diving, but feature wrecks. Many of the wrecks are on the deeper side, so be careful if you dive them.

 

[divad]

I remember The Breakers @West Palm used to have some really nice shallow reefs. The dome one in front of the hotel was like something curated for an aquarium...

 

[Steve_C]

Is that a good thing?

. Ok at the time. 4 hours of diving made it more so. .

 

[Brian Huff]

I've already started AOW with my LDS, is it possible to have another instructor step in while I'm down there? Didn't think that was an option.

 

[Brian Huff]

You will need SMB. Nitrox is the game changer. I have seen Captain advise air divers 25 minutes max and Nitrox divers 45 minutes max at Jupiter on 80 ft reefs.

Understood, I'm Nitrox certified

Can’t finish your AOW while in Florida for the weekend?

IF I can convince my instructor to head down with me sure... is it an option to use a local instructor? Didn't think it was.

What sort of diving do you like?

All of it frankly. I'm less than 30 dives in, so I'm looking for it all. I've done NC Wreck/Deep dives, would be happy with reef and drift.

22+ hours of driving for a couple of hours (maybe) of diving doesn't sound like a great deal.......but.... I am old and smell like eggs..

Yeah, it's a bit of a drive, but I'm rather addicted to the water. Actually, I'm only driving if my dive buddy or instructor goes with. If I'm solo, I'll fly to Ft. Laud or something.


Great advice from everyone, thank you. Think I'll try Jupiter first.

 

[PoolsOpen]

FYI.. In Jupiter, Nitrox AL 80 tanks are about $15 ea, but for $20 ea, you can rent steel 100s. $10 extra for 2 bigger tanks is a no brainer in my opinion.
If you decide to rent steel tanks subtract about 6 lbs of lead from what you normally use when diving an AL 80

 

[Brian Huff]

FYI.. In Jupiter, Nitrox AL 80 tanks are about $15 ea, but for $20 ea, you can rent steel 100s. $10 extra for 2 bigger tanks is a no brainer in my opinion.
If you decide to rent steel tanks subtract about 6 lbs of lead from what you normally use when diving an AL 80

Agreed, that is a no-brainer.

 

[NothingClever]

I've already started AOW with my LDS, is it possible to have another instructor step in while I'm down there? Didn't think that was an option.

Yes, this seems to be a trend in the industry. I don’t have enough experience to say if it’s a dominant trend or universal across the globe but it appears as a trend in Florida and the Red Sea. Obviously, the ideal scenario is you start with one instructor and maintain continuity of training. However, that’s not always practical and it seems an acceptable option that you complete your eLearning, perhaps complete a CW session or two with your home base instructor, travel somewhere, provide proof of your eLearning to a new instructor (coordinated in advance obviously), go through your knowledge reviews, conduct any remaining dryland training and then conduct the OW sessions. It will probably be imperative you stick with the same certifying agency rather than eLearning with one and OW sessions with another.

But I’m not an instructor so it’s best to tap into some of the seasoned instructors we have here. You might consider a PM to Kosta.....he goes by wetb4igetinthewater. I don’t know him personally but I find his posts to be very informative, well written, underpinned by experience and very polite.

 

[Brian Huff]

Thanks, I would not have thought to do that.

I'll chat with my instructor