possible florida trip

Gadget · 2nd April 2008, 20:20

A couple of us in the uk have been talking about organiseing a trip doing a fly dive trip to florida and was looking for some advise from you guys in the sunshine state.

the idea is to work our way up the state from key west to pensicola diveing some of the fine wrecks you have to offer.

we are looking to at wrecks in the 200' to 300' range. I havent dived in florida for many years and found at that time skippers were not into long run times more into shuttles and 4 dive a day.

would you have to book entire boats to get to do the dives and time you need. If so what is the average cost of a boat to charter for the day. if there are skippers that will work without a charter then what is the minimum number of pax they will leave dock for.

I am sure 02 and helium are easily obtainable through out florida.

thanks in advance

**sfldiver** · 2nd April 2008, 21:10

There are certainly some "fine wrecks" to dive in the Sunshine State - Good choice!

I'm sure you will receive lots of feedback and varying opinions as to which wrecks to dive and what operators to utilize, so you shouldn't have a problem finding suggestions.

Howard (scubadadmiami), the Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s fearless leader, had created a list of dive boats in the South Florida area. This should be a good starting point for you. The list is not comprehensive, as it is work in progress, but it should be a big help to you.

http://www.rebreatherworld.com/flori...dive-boat.html

As far as suggested wrecks to dive in the 200' to 300' depth range, there are a few fine choices. Finding a suitable dive boat to tackle each wreck is not always the easiest task in the world, but it is certainly doable, especially if you give us Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s adequate lead time to make plans to join you, because the more divers you have onboard, the easier it usually is to coordinate a boat, for the most part. There are a few smaller 6-pack dive boats that are well suited for the deeper dives, so that is always an option.

Personally, I am pretty familiar with a fair amount of the wrecks in the South Florida area, especially from the Pompano Beach area down to the Keys, so I'd be happy to give you my opinion of a few wrecks I've personally dove and suggest you put on your todo list. Keep in mind there are many more, but I'm sure the masses will point those out to you. Here's a few:

In Key West:

- Wilkes Barre (approx. 220-240')
- Kendricks (approx. 300')

In Key Largo:

- Northern Lights (approx. 190')

In Miami:

- Sir Scott (approx. 230') - South of Miami

In Miami Beach:

- Cruz Del Sur (250')
- Lotus (235')

In Pompano Beach:

- Hydro Atlantic (175')
- Lowrance (210')
- Ronald B. Johnson (260')

Here's a link to the Association of Underwater Explorers (Florida Shipwrecks), there you will find pictures and information on manywrecks in Florida.

For more detailed advice regarding dive shops that might help you out with planning the details of your trip, Silent World in Key Largo is tech friendly (DIVE KEY LARGO AND PENNEKAMP WITH SILENT WORLD DIVE CENTER, FLORIDA - SCUBA Diving, snorkeling, PADI diver training). In Pompano/Ft. Lauderdale, definitely contact Fill Express (Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale), as they are the best in town and can help you with all your rebreather and tech needs!

That ought to get you started for now. Definitely keep us posted of your plans, because I'm sure there are many in the area that would love to join you, if feasible!

Good luck!

**sfldiver** · 3rd April 2008, 11:46

Si Lawrence,

One footnote, even though we do have some great deeper wrecks, there are several factors that can make them difficult dives to execute. In Florida, our proximity to the Gulf Stream can often complicate deeper dives, especially those in the 200' - 300' depth range. The problem is, the deeper the wreck, the further out and the closer the wrecks proximity to the constantly swaying and swerving Gulf Stream, which often makes deeper dives unpredictable. In the past, I have had MANY deeper wreck dives I was very excited about diving only dissappoint me, because we had to cancel when we arrived at the site due to the extreme current we found when we arrived.

Consequentely, I would discuss a potential backup shallower wreck with the captain when planning your dives, just in case.

FYI

Gadget · 5th April 2008, 09:16

Thanks for your info it is a good starting point for me to look at.

Dont worry we will definatly invite any local divers to the party if we get it up and running there will be pleantly of time to get those holiday days from work as this will be a 2009 trip.

2nd April 2008, 20:20	#1 (permalink)
Gadget Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon rEvo Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Dolphin Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hoddesdon, Herts. Posts: 164	possible florida trip Help needed A couple of us in the uk have been talking about organiseing a trip doing a fly dive trip to florida and was looking for some advise from you guys in the sunshine state. the idea is to work our way up the state from key west to pensicola diveing some of the fine wrecks you have to offer. we are looking to at wrecks in the 200' to 300' range. I havent dived in florida for many years and found at that time skippers were not into long run times more into shuttles and 4 dive a day. would you have to book entire boats to get to do the dives and time you need. If so what is the average cost of a boat to charter for the day. if there are skippers that will work without a charter then what is the minimum number of pax they will leave dock for. I am sure 02 and helium are easily obtainable through out florida. thanks in advance __________________ Si Lawrence www.divehdi.com Last edited by Gadget : 5th April 2008 at 09:13.
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2nd April 2008, 21:10	#2 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 784	Re: possible florida trip There are certainly some "fine wrecks" to dive in the Sunshine State - Good choice! I'm sure you will receive lots of feedback and varying opinions as to which wrecks to dive and what operators to utilize, so you shouldn't have a problem finding suggestions. Howard (scubadadmiami), the Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s fearless leader, had created a list of dive boats in the South Florida area. This should be a good starting point for you. The list is not comprehensive, as it is work in progress, but it should be a big help to you. http://www.rebreatherworld.com/flori...dive-boat.html As far as suggested wrecks to dive in the 200' to 300' depth range, there are a few fine choices. Finding a suitable dive boat to tackle each wreck is not always the easiest task in the world, but it is certainly doable, especially if you give us Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s adequate lead time to make plans to join you, because the more divers you have onboard, the easier it usually is to coordinate a boat, for the most part. There are a few smaller 6-pack dive boats that are well suited for the deeper dives, so that is always an option. Personally, I am pretty familiar with a fair amount of the wrecks in the South Florida area, especially from the Pompano Beach area down to the Keys, so I'd be happy to give you my opinion of a few wrecks I've personally dove and suggest you put on your todo list. Keep in mind there are many more, but I'm sure the masses will point those out to you. Here's a few: In Key West: - Wilkes Barre (approx. 220-240') - Kendricks (approx. 300') In Key Largo: - Northern Lights (approx. 190') In Miami: - Sir Scott (approx. 230') - South of Miami In Miami Beach: - Cruz Del Sur (250') - Lotus (235') In Pompano Beach: - Hydro Atlantic (175') - Lowrance (210') - Ronald B. Johnson (260') Here's a link to the Association of Underwater Explorers (Florida Shipwrecks), there you will find pictures and information on manywrecks in Florida. For more detailed advice regarding dive shops that might help you out with planning the details of your trip, Silent World in Key Largo is tech friendly (DIVE KEY LARGO AND PENNEKAMP WITH SILENT WORLD DIVE CENTER, FLORIDA - SCUBA Diving, snorkeling, PADI diver training). In Pompano/Ft. Lauderdale, definitely contact Fill Express (Fill Express -- Nitrox & Technical Diving Specialist Serving Greater Fort Lauderdale), as they are the best in town and can help you with all your rebreather and tech needs! That ought to get you started for now. Definitely keep us posted of your plans, because I'm sure there are many in the area that would love to join you, if feasible! Good luck! __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Online)

3rd April 2008, 11:46	#3 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 784	Re: possible florida trip Si Lawrence, One footnote, even though we do have some great deeper wrecks, there are several factors that can make them difficult dives to execute. In Florida, our proximity to the Gulf Stream can often complicate deeper dives, especially those in the 200' - 300' depth range. The problem is, the deeper the wreck, the further out and the closer the wrecks proximity to the constantly swaying and swerving Gulf Stream, which often makes deeper dives unpredictable. In the past, I have had MANY deeper wreck dives I was very excited about diving only dissappoint me, because we had to cancel when we arrived at the site due to the extreme current we found when we arrived. Consequentely, I would discuss a potential backup shallower wreck with the captain when planning your dives, just in case. FYI __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Online)

5th April 2008, 09:16	#4 (permalink)
Gadget Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon rEvo Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Dolphin Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hoddesdon, Herts. Posts: 164	Re: possible florida trip Thanks for your info it is a good starting point for me to look at. Dont worry we will definatly invite any local divers to the party if we get it up and running there will be pleantly of time to get those holiday days from work as this will be a 2009 trip. __________________ Si Lawrence www.divehdi.com
(Offline)

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