Orlando in February?

[Gatorshark]

I concur with CMinerva, springs are an acquired taste, good OW diving about 2-3 hours away from Jupiter south!

 

[Stu S.]

Gotta do a spring dive and decide for yourself. If you are not "schedule flexible", spring diving makes for a plan that's 95% weatherproof. 72 degrees year around. And, rough seas can cancel boat diving, but not spring diving.

You typically can't solo dive a spring, so bring a buddy. I believe Ginnie Springs can provide a guide for hire, but that's the exception.

Have fun with it,

Stu.

 

[Gatorshark]

Its kind of like dating 2 different women. The first is dependable, always there for you, and safe while number 2 is spontaneous and unpredictable, a real firecracker

...never mind, this is probably why I'm single.

 

[mcgowman]

I'll second fldiver1's suggestion about EPCOT's DiveQuest.
Dive Quest

Guaranteed short boat ride.
Guaranteed you won't get sea sick.
Guaranteed they won't cancel due to bad weather/conditions.
Guaranteed to have great visibility.
Guaranteed to see cool fish.
Guaranteed you won't fight any heavy current.
Guaranteed water temps with no thermoclines.
Guaranteed no crowd on the anchor line.
Guaranteed the park visitors on the other side of the acrylic will be jealous.

At first the $140 cost seems pricey for only 1 dive, but that includes all gear. Which means you don't need to bring gear on your business trip (or pay extra baggage fees if you're flying). You can be sure Disney maintains their gear well.

Looks like NAUI certified divers get 10% off?
http://www.naui.org/PDFfiles/dive%20quest%20c.pdf

EDIT: There is something about SSI divers also getting a discount??:
http://www.epcotdivequest.com/contact_details.htm

 

[mohave_steve]

$140 for one dive..... I'll have to give that some thought..

As far as spring diving goes I am game to give it a try. I logged a number of freshwater dives that won't ever make my "top ten" but I still had a great time.

On the other hand, the Jupiter trip report has my attention.

The spring diving is likely the most practical considering the time I have available.

 

[Scubastud16]

If you've never dove in a Florida spring before, it's an experience you need to (IMHO) have. Especially someplace like Ginnie where the water is "Gin" (get it?) clear. 100+ viz is average.

 

[BWDscott]

I'm open for an afternoon trip on the 19th if you want to go south. Or the springs any of those days between the 14th and 19th. Except the 15th and 18th. I've gotta work now and then...

 

[Alpine Storm]

I to will be in town with my family for Disney World the last week of January. And After looking desperately at the equation, I might get stuck at the Epcott. As badly as I would lilke to take two hours and drive down south, I am afraid my wife will flip. In short I would be leaving her without a car, but with the kids.....brutal.

Saturday the 31st is my target date. If somebody else happens to be going out on that day, I would gladly pay for lunch and gas. We are staying in a place called Kissamee, which seems to be very poorly located for tending to my vice. I don't have anything beyond nice fins and a mask, so I am limited, but excited just the same.

 

[mohave_steve]

Alpine,

I am flying into Orlando and won't really need a car for business as I am staying at the same hotel as the conference I am attending. My plan is to rent a car just for the day(s) that I dive. $30-45 a day.

 

[cyberfed]

FYI, most scuba shops around Orlando do group dives to Epcot where you can pay $90 for the dive. You have to be a sucker to pay $140.

Let me know when you are in town I'll dive with you. It'll be spring diving but its a lot of fun.