Recreational Diving Around Florida

Rob Dobson · March 13th, 2006, 08:43 PM

I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to Florida in April and therefore looking for a decent DIR friendly dive centre to hook up with. Just looking to do basic recreational bimbles on nitrox but would rather do it somewhere with a sense of awareness and where they won't freak out at concepts such as primary donation.

I was thinking more of the coast than the fresh water caves - maybe Miami but not really fussed. Where's good??

***ericfine50*** · March 13th, 2006, 08:59 PM

West Palm beach, Key Largo. Are you going solo or traveling with family?

Rob Dobson · March 13th, 2006, 09:08 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50)

West Palm beach, Key Largo. Are you going solo or traveling with family?

Somewhere between the two - me and the missus are splitting up but she wants to get a holiday in before the lawyers start carving up the record collection. She knows she won't see me because I'll be underwater most of the time but that suits her just fine. If I see her buying a spear gun I might get a little twitchy but other than that it's all cool.

***ericfine50*** · March 13th, 2006, 10:40 PM

How about just Key West then for some drinking?

Rob Dobson · March 14th, 2006, 12:23 AM

Sounds like a damn fine idea...

Dan T · March 17th, 2006, 02:38 AM

West Palm its alot of fun. The hotels are close to the docks, so you dont have to lug your gear clear across town.

My 2cent

rooster · March 17th, 2006, 09:29 AM

Hi Rob

I have dived in Miami and also the keys - if you are planning to pass either spot let me know and I'll try to help.

Diving is good in Miami, although it can be challenging due to the currents. An experienced UK diver should have no issues though. I stayed in South Beach and used:

www.southbeachdivers.com

these guys also arrange day trips to the Keys to dive the Spiegel Grove.

We stayed at:

www.clayhotel.com

which is one of the cheaper hotels in SoBe but quite nice and on the same street as some nice restaurants in Espanola Way.

You can dive all the way down the Keys, although we did most of ours in Pennenkamp National Park (jump off at Key Largo). If you are down that way check out the Diving superstores on Highway 1, they make UK dive shops look a little sad!

Drop me a line if you need more info.

Regards

Roy

Little Pete · March 17th, 2006, 03:24 PM

I may annoy everyone now as I've just got a good indication I can take my year abroad (in my degree) in Miami. I will therefore have to spend my student loan on Cave 1 and 2 minimum as well as a silly amount of diving in the area....

Rob Dobson · April 21st, 2006, 01:55 PM

I'm getting a load of grief from the missus about this one now and she wants to book something *today*.

She has two things lined up - option 1: Fly to Miami, spend a night there, hire a car and drive down to Key Largo and stay at the Sheraton Beach hotel for 6 nights and drive back to Miami for another night.

Option 2: As above only drive further to Key West and stay at the Doubletree Grand key Resort before heading back to Miami.

My focus is diving, hers is sunny herself and shopping. Key Largo seems good for diving but not much else going on whereas Key West seems better for her but not much good for diving. We both want decent bars and restaurants to hang out in (just not necessarily the same ones at the same time).

Soooo...... Are the Key Largo dive sites in range of key West? Are there any decent dive operators in Key West? Is Key Largo the cultural desert it seems to be or is there enough going on to keep her off my back for a week?

Or do we just book two seperate holidays and be done with it?

Tricky · April 21st, 2006, 02:07 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson)

Or do we just book two seperate holidays and be done with it?

Sounds like a better plan

March 13th, 2006, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 533	Recreational Diving Around Florida I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to Florida in April and therefore looking for a decent DIR friendly dive centre to hook up with. Just looking to do basic recreational bimbles on nitrox but would rather do it somewhere with a sense of awareness and where they won't freak out at concepts such as primary donation. I was thinking more of the coast than the fresh water caves - maybe Miami but not really fussed. Where's good??

March 17th, 2006, 09:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
rooster(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 61	Hi Rob I have dived in Miami and also the keys - if you are planning to pass either spot let me know and I'll try to help. Diving is good in Miami, although it can be challenging due to the currents. An experienced UK diver should have no issues though. I stayed in South Beach and used: www.southbeachdivers.com these guys also arrange day trips to the Keys to dive the Spiegel Grove. We stayed at: www.clayhotel.com which is one of the cheaper hotels in SoBe but quite nice and on the same street as some nice restaurants in Espanola Way. You can dive all the way down the Keys, although we did most of ours in Pennenkamp National Park (jump off at Key Largo). If you are down that way check out the Diving superstores on Highway 1, they make UK dive shops look a little sad! Drop me a line if you need more info. Regards Roy Last edited by rooster; March 17th, 2006 at 11:02 AM.

April 21st, 2006, 02:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson) Or do we just book two seperate holidays and be done with it? Sounds like a better plan __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

March 13th, 2006, 08:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	West Palm beach, Key Largo. Are you going solo or traveling with family?

March 13th, 2006, 09:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 533	Quote: (Originally Posted by ericfine50) West Palm beach, Key Largo. Are you going solo or traveling with family? Somewhere between the two - me and the missus are splitting up but she wants to get a holiday in before the lawyers start carving up the record collection. She knows she won't see me because I'll be underwater most of the time but that suits her just fine. If I see her buying a spear gun I might get a little twitchy but other than that it's all cool.

March 13th, 2006, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	How about just Key West then for some drinking?

March 14th, 2006, 12:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 533	Sounds like a damn fine idea...

March 17th, 2006, 02:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dan T(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orange Park Posts: 128	West Palm its alot of fun. The hotels are close to the docks, so you dont have to lug your gear clear across town. My 2cent

March 17th, 2006, 03:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	I may annoy everyone now as I've just got a good indication I can take my year abroad (in my degree) in Miami. I will therefore have to spend my student loan on Cave 1 and 2 minimum as well as a silly amount of diving in the area....

April 21st, 2006, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 533	I'm getting a load of grief from the missus about this one now and she wants to book something today. She has two things lined up - option 1: Fly to Miami, spend a night there, hire a car and drive down to Key Largo and stay at the Sheraton Beach hotel for 6 nights and drive back to Miami for another night. Option 2: As above only drive further to Key West and stay at the Doubletree Grand key Resort before heading back to Miami. My focus is diving, hers is sunny herself and shopping. Key Largo seems good for diving but not much else going on whereas Key West seems better for her but not much good for diving. We both want decent bars and restaurants to hang out in (just not necessarily the same ones at the same time). Soooo...... Are the Key Largo dive sites in range of key West? Are there any decent dive operators in Key West? Is Key Largo the cultural desert it seems to be or is there enough going on to keep her off my back for a week? Or do we just book two seperate holidays and be done with it?