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#58
Where is best dive site between Tampa & Naples in Florida?
ScubaDue - 12/22/2012 2:32 PM
Category: Travel
Replies: 4

I will be on a business trip in late January and can squeeze in one day of diving anywhere between Tampa & Naples. What would be the best site and or dive shop to make the best use of my time?
#5828
Agojo - 12/23/2012 10:00 PM
Two recommendations: 1) Go to Epcot in Orlando and do the aquarium dive. 2) Go to the Atlantic coast anywhere south of Palm Beach. I would go to Pompano Beach (South Florida Diving Headquarters).


Diving if far off shore on the Gulf Coast, in the western panhandle you can get a few decent wrecks in 100’ if you go 12 miles off shore (that’s after you go 4-10 miles in the inland waterway to get to a pass into the gulf). You won’t find much for reefs on the gulf coast either.
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 12/24/2012 7:20 AM
How about looking for shark teeth in Venice? Scuba Earth shows a lot of dive sites but yes, most are green water or a long boat ride.

That time of year is best for going an hour drive north of Tampa to see manatees but that’s snorkel, not scuba.
#1633
DIVERHERB - 12/24/2012 7:06 PM
Actually there is alot of nice diving in the gulf. It is true that the vis can range anywhere from 5ft to 30ft depending on the time of the year, the amount of rain we have had, the water temp and how far off shore you go. As mentioned diving for fossills in Venice can be fun and easy if you are into that. Depths range is about 30ft max. For that Scuba West would be your best bet. In the Sarasota/Venice area "off shore" from about 5 to 12 miles you will find alot of limestone ledges usually full of sealife. Just check out some of the local dive shops for boat trips. The gulf has alot to offer as long as you do not expect it to be as clear as the east coast of Fl. There are alot of artifical reefs on this coast that draw alot of attention also. The water temp here varies alot more than on the east coast. That time of the year expect the water temps to be in the mid 60’s, but on the up side the colder the water the better the vis here. Try it you will enjoy it.
#4035
uwlover4u - 12/27/2012 12:36 PM
If you like wrecks then go dive the newly sunken USS Mohawk out of Ft. Myers. It was sunk only a few months ago.