Orlando shops and sites?

[Stephanie Kidwell]

I've really enjoyed the dive sites along the Florida keys, but is there anywhere interesting to dive around Orlando (or within a reasonable driving distance)? My husband and I will be there for a family trip to Disney but would like to take a few days to ourselves to do some diving. Any recommended dive shops? Thanks!

 

[Salmonboy97]

Epcot Center lets you dive the the exhibit "Living Seas". It is a huge fish tank with all sorts of different fish. The last time I heard it was $150.00 but that may have changed.
Most of the rest of the dives will be springs, cavern, and caves. (Some drift diving rivers too)
Nice caverns to the north of Orlando are: Blue Grotto, Devils Den, Paradis Springs.

 

[deepstops]

Steph,

If the weather is favorable, I'd suggest a 2 hour sprint down to Jupiter/Palm Beach/Boynton Beach for some ocean diving.

 

[Bob]

Steph,

If the weather is favorable, I'd suggest a 2 hour sprint down to Jupiter/Palm Beach/Boynton Beach for some ocean diving.

Spot on! You're as close to Jupiter as you are to the Blue Grotto from Orlando. Jupiter is much better than any spring dive. I recommend Jupiter Dive Center. Jupiter Dive Center, Scuba diving lessons at a PADI 5 Star facility, daily scuba diving trips in Jupiter, Florida. These guys won't disappoint you. almtree: Bob

 

[cdndivefan]

In March, during a visit to Orlando I dove at Epcot and did the drive down to Boynton Beach. The dive at Epcot was with my daughter, and was a nice easy 40 minute dive.

We had planned the Boynton Beach trip for later in the week. Unfortunately the small craft warnings scrubbed the ocean dives arranged with Underwater Explorers Underwater Explorers - SCUBA Diving Boynton Beach, Delray, Palm Beach, Reefs and Wrecks.

Kevin was amazing in arranging to shore dive with me (daughter picked up a cold and couldn't dive). We went to the Blue Heron Bridge as an alternate; which was an excellent critter dive.

A few threads here on the board are very helpful:

Kevin's (aka scubakevdm) Boynton Dive Chronicles thread -

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/193379-boynton-dive-chronicles-new-improved.html

The continuing sagas of the Blue Heron Bridge-

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/279974-continuing-sagas-blue-heron-bridge.html

I just need to figure out how and when I can make a return trip