Florida east coast road trip help.

jkaterenchuk · 7th August 2006, 18:25

I am newly CCR certified on a Inspiration Classic. I will be going to the east coast of Florida Sept 16-24 with two OC divers. We were planning to do a couple days of diving in West Palm/Ft Lauderdale area, a couple days in Key Largo area and a couple days in Key West area. I want to get some hours on my unit and stay within recreational limits. I have already determined that I can rent Insp tanks and a Bailout tank from Fill Express.

I could really use some help with the following items:

1) What operations to use in each location that are Rebreather friendly?
2) What specific sites should we dive that keep us within recreational limits?
3) Places to pick-up O2 fills and sorb if needed other than Fill Express?
4) Hotels or Accomodations in each location (prefer a two bedroom suite type arrangement).

Thanks for your help.
John

GrahamP · 8th August 2006, 00:26

In Key Largo, well actually Tavernier to be precise Divers City would probably be OK. I don't know if they are rebreatehr friendly, but would imagine so. They specialise in technical diving and can certainly do O2 fills. The Eagle (about 30m), USCGC Duane (25-38m) and USCGC Bibb (about 35-40m) are all nice recreational levle dives around there. Check out www.diverscityusa.com

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 8th August 2006, 00:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by GrahamP)

In Key Largo, well actually Tavernier to be precise Divers City would probably be OK. I don't know if they are rebreatehr friendly, but would imagine so. They specialise in technical diving and can certainly do O2 fills. The Eagle (about 30m), USCGC Duane (25-38m) and USCGC Bibb (about 35-40m) are all nice recreational levle dives around there. Check out www.diverscityusa.com

Divers City will be fine with CCR. We do tech diving with them frequently. Just make sure to tell them what you want so that they can set up the boat properly with the right mixture of divers for you.

The places that I know well enough to say about CCR friendly are mostly in Broward County, not so much Palm Beach County. There are links to boat operators (not as much for PBC as for Broward) in the Fill Express web site.

Palm Beach County has some great dives within recreational limits. Most boats run drift dives in the 60 to 90 foot range (about 25-30 meters max). So, there should be plenty of good quality dives (great fish life, turtles, clear water, nice reefs) that you can share with your OC friends.

I would be happy to let you know about anything I can concerning local matters. However, I live in Miami, which is still a couple of hours from up there. I have been there several times, however, that was in my prior life on open circuit.

I really don't know much about the hotels since I just drive up and back for the dives.

***debersole*** · 8th August 2006, 02:44

I dive West Palm on my Sport Kiss all the time. I usually dive with Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures (www.scuba-adventures.com) and they are very accommodating regarding rebreathers. As mentioned, the reefs are very pretty and there is both a 60 foot and 90 foot reef systems. Farther north in Jupiter there are a lot of sites around 90 fsw and even Hole in the Wall which is a ledge at 110 at the top with an oversized swim-through (that you could put a couple of 18 wheelers in) at a depth of about 140 fsw. Check with Cpt Paul at Jupiter Dive Charters (www.jupiterdivecharters.com) or Randy at Jupiter Dive Center (www.jupiterdivecenter.com)

You'd probably still need to get sodasorb and O2 fills at Fill Express, however, as I don't know anyone in Jupiter/West Palm that can fill O2 to 3000psi.

As far as lodging goes, I drive over from Lakeland which is about 2 1/2 hours away, but if I stay overnight there is a very nice Hampton Inn just off PGA Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens. Nice rooms, refrigerator, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi internet service.

PM me when you guys come down. I'd love to drive over and dive with you!

Okidiver · 8th August 2006, 05:13

Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk)

2) What specific sites should we dive that keep us within recreational limits?
4) Hotels or Accomodations in each location (prefer a two bedroom suite type arrangement).
Thanks for your help.
John

John,
Here's another option: Boynton Beach--I've dove with Loggerhead (tech friendly, great Captain, spearfishing allowed) and Splashdown (cattleboats on weekends, lighter during the week, nice boat, no mo spearing

). Drift diving, nice soft corals, lots of fish, turtles, lobster, Nurse/Bull Sharks/Hammerheads show up on occasion. Holiday Inn Express (wi-fi, happy hour

, pool to hang WET suits) is right off I-95 and 10 minutes from said dive shops. Great places to eat within walking distance of the boats. If you're lucky, you'll pass through when the winds aren't blowing...

Rick

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 8th August 2006, 05:18

Anyone been out with these boats? I dive dry, and I am looking for adequate shade. Surprisingly, not enough boats have it despite the high Summer temperatures and strong sun down here.

tomhanaway · 8th August 2006, 10:45

I dive Splashdown on a weekly basis. Old fashion type shop. Delta type boat with cabin/cover over 2/3's of the staging area.
Lot of building construction going on in the area. Shop is actually making more money serving food to all the local construction workers than running dive trips. So, although morning and afternoon trips on the weekend, only 1:30 pm dives during the week.
You can check them out at www.splashdown.com. I've been leaving my oc gear at their shop for years. Call them up, please put my filled tanks on boat, I'll be there in 20 minutes....
Only real requirement is that divers be back on surface in one hour for each dive.
Tom H.

eanxdiver · 8th August 2006, 12:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk)

I am newly CCR certified on a Inspiration Classic. I will be going to the east coast of Florida Sept 16-24 with two OC divers. We were planning to do a couple days of diving in West Palm/Ft Lauderdale area, a couple days in Key Largo area and a couple days in Key West area. I want to get some hours on my unit and stay within recreational limits. I have already determined that I can rent Insp tanks and a Bailout tank from Fill Express.

I could really use some help with the following items:

1) What operations to use in each location that are Rebreather friendly?
2) What specific sites should we dive that keep us within recreational limits?
3) Places to pick-up O2 fills and sorb if needed other than Fill Express?
4) Hotels or Accomodations in each location (prefer a two bedroom suite type arrangement).

Thanks for your help.
John

Have dove rebreaters with Tavernier Dive Center (in Tavernier/Largo) on several occasions, and they were great. Mike does an excellent job and dives tech himself. He can fill up to pure O2 if needed, and has bailout and inspiration cylinders for hire if needed. http://www.tavernierdivecenter.com

Just got back from down there diving rebreathers, and had many nice dives.

7th August 2006, 18:25	#1 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 1,085	Florida east coast road trip help. I am newly CCR certified on a Inspiration Classic. I will be going to the east coast of Florida Sept 16-24 with two OC divers. We were planning to do a couple days of diving in West Palm/Ft Lauderdale area, a couple days in Key Largo area and a couple days in Key West area. I want to get some hours on my unit and stay within recreational limits. I have already determined that I can rent Insp tanks and a Bailout tank from Fill Express. I could really use some help with the following items: 1) What operations to use in each location that are Rebreather friendly? 2) What specific sites should we dive that keep us within recreational limits? 3) Places to pick-up O2 fills and sorb if needed other than Fill Express? 4) Hotels or Accomodations in each location (prefer a two bedroom suite type arrangement). Thanks for your help. John
(Online)

8th August 2006, 00:26	#2 (permalink)
GrahamP New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iwade, Kent, UK Posts: 19	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. In Key Largo, well actually Tavernier to be precise Divers City would probably be OK. I don't know if they are rebreatehr friendly, but would imagine so. They specialise in technical diving and can certainly do O2 fills. The Eagle (about 30m), USCGC Duane (25-38m) and USCGC Bibb (about 35-40m) are all nice recreational levle dives around there. Check out www.diverscityusa.com
(Offline)

8th August 2006, 00:44	#3 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,215	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. Quote: (Originally Posted by GrahamP) In Key Largo, well actually Tavernier to be precise Divers City would probably be OK. I don't know if they are rebreatehr friendly, but would imagine so. They specialise in technical diving and can certainly do O2 fills. The Eagle (about 30m), USCGC Duane (25-38m) and USCGC Bibb (about 35-40m) are all nice recreational levle dives around there. Check out www.diverscityusa.com Divers City will be fine with CCR. We do tech diving with them frequently. Just make sure to tell them what you want so that they can set up the boat properly with the right mixture of divers for you. The places that I know well enough to say about CCR friendly are mostly in Broward County, not so much Palm Beach County. There are links to boat operators (not as much for PBC as for Broward) in the Fill Express web site. Palm Beach County has some great dives within recreational limits. Most boats run drift dives in the 60 to 90 foot range (about 25-30 meters max). So, there should be plenty of good quality dives (great fish life, turtles, clear water, nice reefs) that you can share with your OC friends. I would be happy to let you know about anything I can concerning local matters. However, I live in Miami, which is still a couple of hours from up there. I have been there several times, however, that was in my prior life on open circuit. I really don't know much about the hotels since I just drive up and back for the dives. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com Last edited by ScubaDadMiami : 8th August 2006 at 00:46.
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8th August 2006, 02:44	#4 (permalink)
*debersole* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 253	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. I dive West Palm on my Sport Kiss all the time. I usually dive with Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures (www.scuba-adventures.com) and they are very accommodating regarding rebreathers. As mentioned, the reefs are very pretty and there is both a 60 foot and 90 foot reef systems. Farther north in Jupiter there are a lot of sites around 90 fsw and even Hole in the Wall which is a ledge at 110 at the top with an oversized swim-through (that you could put a couple of 18 wheelers in) at a depth of about 140 fsw. Check with Cpt Paul at Jupiter Dive Charters (www.jupiterdivecharters.com) or Randy at Jupiter Dive Center (www.jupiterdivecenter.com) You'd probably still need to get sodasorb and O2 fills at Fill Express, however, as I don't know anyone in Jupiter/West Palm that can fill O2 to 3000psi. As far as lodging goes, I drive over from Lakeland which is about 2 1/2 hours away, but if I stay overnight there is a very nice Hampton Inn just off PGA Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens. Nice rooms, refrigerator, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi internet service. PM me when you guys come down. I'd love to drive over and dive with you! __________________ www.debersole.com
(Online)

8th August 2006, 05:13	#5 (permalink)
Okidiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ft Walton Beach, FL, USA Posts: 86	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk) 2) What specific sites should we dive that keep us within recreational limits? 4) Hotels or Accomodations in each location (prefer a two bedroom suite type arrangement). Thanks for your help. John John, Here's another option: Boynton Beach--I've dove with Loggerhead (tech friendly, great Captain, spearfishing allowed) and Splashdown (cattleboats on weekends, lighter during the week, nice boat, no mo spearing). Drift diving, nice soft corals, lots of fish, turtles, lobster, Nurse/Bull Sharks/Hammerheads show up on occasion. Holiday Inn Express (wi-fi, happy hour , pool to hang WET suits) is right off I-95 and 10 minutes from said dive shops. Great places to eat within walking distance of the boats. If you're lucky, you'll pass through when the winds aren't blowing... Rick
(Offline)

8th August 2006, 05:18	#6 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,215	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. Anyone been out with these boats? I dive dry, and I am looking for adequate shade. Surprisingly, not enough boats have it despite the high Summer temperatures and strong sun down here. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

8th August 2006, 10:45	#7 (permalink)
tomhanaway New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 52	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. I dive Splashdown on a weekly basis. Old fashion type shop. Delta type boat with cabin/cover over 2/3's of the staging area. Lot of building construction going on in the area. Shop is actually making more money serving food to all the local construction workers than running dive trips. So, although morning and afternoon trips on the weekend, only 1:30 pm dives during the week. You can check them out at www.splashdown.com. I've been leaving my oc gear at their shop for years. Call them up, please put my filled tanks on boat, I'll be there in 20 minutes.... Only real requirement is that divers be back on surface in one hour for each dive. Tom H.
(Offline)

8th August 2006, 12:18	#8 (permalink)
eanxdiver Rather be Diving Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA, SC Posts: 115	Re: Florida east coast road trip help. Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk) I am newly CCR certified on a Inspiration Classic. I will be going to the east coast of Florida Sept 16-24 with two OC divers. We were planning to do a couple days of diving in West Palm/Ft Lauderdale area, a couple days in Key Largo area and a couple days in Key West area. I want to get some hours on my unit and stay within recreational limits. I have already determined that I can rent Insp tanks and a Bailout tank from Fill Express. I could really use some help with the following items: 1) What operations to use in each location that are Rebreather friendly? 2) What specific sites should we dive that keep us within recreational limits? 3) Places to pick-up O2 fills and sorb if needed other than Fill Express? 4) Hotels or Accomodations in each location (prefer a two bedroom suite type arrangement). Thanks for your help. John Have dove rebreaters with Tavernier Dive Center (in Tavernier/Largo) on several occasions, and they were great. Mike does an excellent job and dives tech himself. He can fill up to pure O2 if needed, and has bailout and inspiration cylinders for hire if needed. http://www.tavernierdivecenter.com Just got back from down there diving rebreathers, and had many nice dives.
(Online)

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