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#4083
aquarium diving
divingbear - 9/21/2010 3:23 PM
Category: General
Replies: 14

I am taking my 10 year old to FL this year, and was thinking about bringing her to Sea World for her first "tropical" dive. Any thoughts good or bad on canned diving?
#5687
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tshark - 9/21/2010 6:22 PM
I could be wrong but I believe they have to be 12 yr old to dive there?
#4083
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divingbear - 9/21/2010 8:21 PM
I was looking at Epcot and thinking Sea World. Epcot alows 10 y/o. Have you done an Aqurium Dive?
#5687
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tshark - 9/21/2010 9:07 PM
Just the big ones the gulf of mexico & the atlantic ocean
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Greg - 9/22/2010 9:58 AM
I’ve never done an aquarium dive, but I think it would be a great experience. I would love to hear more about it when you return.
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SaintsReturn - 9/22/2010 10:24 AM


please post about the experience once you return. i have not done one, yet. i turned down one at the florida aq due to cost at the time but hope to do one sometime in the future. 


thoughts wise, it should be a good experience since it is heavily controlled for the young one. really couldnt ask for a better first dive without all the classes first. Good luck and we look forward to hearing about it
#190
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JillCW - 9/22/2010 12:03 PM
DiveQuest in Epcot would be perfect for a 10 year old. As long as they’re certified first. Personally, I miss the the violence of the ocean. But at 10 who wants to deal with current and waves and wait around for sharks and rays? It’s a luxury diving experience and perfect for beginners. No stress. 
#238
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fmatus - 9/22/2010 12:26 PM
I have dove at epcot 4 times with my son and we loved it every time.

Huge diversity of fish to look at including sharks and rays. One of the turtles had to be removed because it was biting the sharks on the tail and stealing the sharks food when the sharks turned around.

They staff at Epcot give you a behind the scenes look of the aquarium and you get to dive for about 50 minutes. You actually get to become part of the attraction and the kids on the other side of the glass love to wave at you.

Lastly all the proceeds from the dive are donated to Disney’s ecology and wildlife funds around the world.

I never miss going when I am in Orlando. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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Div4fun - 9/23/2010 4:48 AM
Our daughter’s first OW dive was at Epcot when she was 10. She was much more excited to see the people eating dinner than the variety of fish all in one place. We are returning this year and she will do her 100th dive there. It is quite pricey but it is an opportunity to see things from waters you may never be able to afford to visit.
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tardmaster - 9/23/2010 8:18 PM


Itook my wife diving in the Georgia Aquarium last February. I’m a volunteer diver there, but it was her first experience. it was and is FABULOUS !!!
#4083
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divingbear - 9/25/2010 2:50 PM
Thanks all I am going to put this on the top of the list.
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MO-diver - 9/26/2010 11:29 AM
I dove at epcot a couple years ago, and had a blast. Playing with all the people looking in at you was great. 
#134
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smileydiver - 9/26/2010 11:55 AM
We have something similar in the UK where you can do a dive with the Sand Tiger Sharks. Whilst nothing beats the open water and seeing them in their natural environment, this was a great chance to see them up close and learn a bit more about them. I really enjoyed it :0). Hope you have a great time!
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Rex - 10/05/2010 12:48 PM


I dove at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach,SC. It was pretty neat but they put you a cage about 4’x6’x7’ on the bottom and that’s where you stay for about half an hour. It’s good to look at the fish and sharks. I don’t know if the cage is for our protection or the fish. It’s called " Dive with the Sharks" and and cost $150.00


 
#8046
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Rich-D-Fish - 10/06/2010 10:49 PM


I was very lucky two weeks ago to have my wife pay to get me into the local aquarium as a birthday present. The best present ever! I got to dive the Tropical Reef habitat (350,000 gallons) at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Loved it! They treat you like a real VIP. $299 got me a 30 min behind the scenes/tanks tour, souveneir towel, t-shirt, certificate of completion and an amazing 45 minute dive. They even give you a 14 MP camera to use and give you the 2GB memory card to take home. I took those memories, combined with footage my wife shot through the glass and made the following video to share. Enjoy! Playing rock-paper-scissor with the kids watching is a blast!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nunyjjiHEQ






Rich