Where is the best place to dive in FL?

[fish.freak]

I am interested in getting my cert. over xmas and would like to do it in Fl, but Im not sure where is the best place to dive.

[wiszmaster]

I've been wanting to take a course and get my certification as well ...

My guestimate would be the keys .... Here in swfl the gulf hasn't been all that clear lately - mostly from the river outflow.
Last i heard the water was pretty clear up in the Sarasota/Venice area ... Venice has a great beach!

[Kimberfish]

A friend of mine owns a dive shop right on the outskirts of Daytona Here's a link to his shop http://www.sprucecreekscuba.com/ His name is Charlie and he is AWESOME!!!! My husband and I got our advanced certification from him way back in 1994. He does lots of different trips both in state and abroad. He's the kind of guy I would follow anywhere in the water. My favorite FL dive is drift diving near West Palm (maybe not the best first dive though) or John Pennekamp Nat'l Park in Key Largo. The brains coral there is so big you almost have to stay on the surface of the water to get around it - great first dive!!!

They do a Christmas dive every year where they decorate a tree w/ glow sticks - check out the pictures page - fun fun fun people

You may also contact TRT member seadevil I think he heads a local diving club as well

[YLChik]

GregT too

[scootman]

The cool thing about diving is that you will find great dive sites throughout the entire state. I lived in Central Florida and moved up to Pensacola 4 years ago. Up here, there is the Oriskany. It's a 300 ft long aircraft carrier which was sunk off the coast. It's HUGE! I believe it's the largest artificial reef in the world.

There are freshwater springs such as Vortex Springs over in Ponce De Leone. Great clarity and even a cave & cavern to explore (use caution & experience).

Down south, there's probably thousands of great dive sites. The keys is cool, especially if you go with area guides who can show you their favorite spots.

Enjoy diving. It's a great experience. I miss it terribly, but my circumstances no longer allow it.

[fish.freak]

That trip got canceled, went to NYC instead.

[reefmanwannabe]

I watched them sink that aircraft carrier on a doc. show and its actually over 900 feet long and your right scootman, it is the largest artificial reef in the world

[connie27]

Sorry your diving trip got canceled. NYC is nothing like diving but I'm sure it was interesting. I was ther last week.
For future dives....check out http://www.pennekamppark.com/ (Florida Keys) I snorkled there and it's beautiful. Never dove. Something about breathing under water freaks me out. I know I'm missing something awesome though! I live in Sarasota county and go to the beaches here all the time. Siesta key in Sarasota is breath taking but I havn't seen many divers. I heard there's some good diving in Venice but really havn't seen many divers. Enjoy when you do go!