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wholehawg · 08-27-2002, 01:36 PM,

Hello Everyone I am a native Minnesotan and I have been transplanted down here in Tampa. I got certified OW 2 years ago and have been diving and training non stop. I now have my Full Cave and Tri-mix cards and 200+ dives all around the State. If any of you folks are thinking of heading down this way and would like to know good spots to dive or the names of good charters that I have used in the Keys, Pompano, West Palm, Manatee Springs area, Tampa etc. Post here and I'll get back to you. In the mean time, happy diving!! P.S. I want to head back and dive Superior some time. Whats it like? (besides cold Smile

nomads · 08-27-2002, 02:03 PM,

I just got back from Isle Royale. Some say the best wrecks in the world. I haven't been all over the world but I have dove wrecks in the Carolinas', FL, MI and Guam and these are the best I have seen, especially the Emperor. I also lived in Fl some years back and am quite envious of the variety of Fl diving. Good Luck

lwright · 11-04-2002, 11:32 PM,

wholehawg,

I have some family moving to Tampa, so what do recommend for diving in the Tampa Bay area?

wholehawg · 11-07-2002, 10:05 AM,

Hey lwright

There are few good charters if your looking to dive the gulf. I would reccomend an charter out of St Pete called DIVE CLEARWATER . Most dive charters down here do a good job. The only reason I reccomend these guy is they go to a really cool spot called the Rube Allen reef. Its a man made from chunks of an old bridge they dumped out in the gulf.

Also Tampa is on the southern tip of cave country. So if you intersted in getting cavern certified or if you already are. they're are a lot of great places up around the Gainsville area. (About a 2 1/2 hr drive from Tampa)

Then of course to the south on the Atlantic side you have the West Palm/Pompeno area. They have some great diving down there too. A lot of cool wrecks etc. but I dont know if your going to want to do that much driving around Smile

tcjtn0 · 11-17-2002, 11:12 PM,

I am going to Key Largo first part of December...
What charters have you used and/or do you highly recommend any???
I have looked at most of them on the Net.
I went thru Ocean Divers on a couple of dives there in October...They were very good...

Any help you could pass onto me would be a great help...Since I am still fairly new to non-MN/WS diving!!!

Thanks...Jean ;D

wholehawg · 11-18-2002, 08:25 AM,

Hello Jean

I have used a couple of operations in the Largo / Taviner key area. And I would agree with you Ocean Divers is a pretty good operation. I know a couple of the dive masters and its the one I usually go with if I am heading out to Pennekamp National park. I would reccomend you do a dive on the Spiegel Grove. I think they require you have at least and Advanced card to do it. But its pretty neat. It sits on its side in about 130 ft of water. The top of the wreck is at around 50ft, there's still not much growth there but most people ar saying that it will be ripped apart after the first hurricane goes through, so snap a few pics while you can.

Have Fun on your trip and let me know how it goes.

Mark

tcjtn0 · 11-18-2002, 09:34 AM,

Thanks for the info...I will probably use Ocean Diver once or twice while I am down there...
Maybe I might skip around a little...And see which one's I like...
I have my AOW PADI, and am going to be wreck certified my first two days down there...
(But I am a wreck every morning...So it should be no problem!!!)
That is interesting about a hurricane "relocating" the Grove, so to speak. Maybe mother nature will flip
the ship upside down...Wouldn't that be just a shame???
Yes, I will shoot pictures up the ying-yang as they say...

Thanks again...Appreciate the info!!!!

Jean ;D

DanL · 12-04-2002, 09:45 PM,

Will be in Orlando 3/16-17 and want to dive east coast 3/13-15. Looking at Lantana area just south of W.Palm. Are you familiar with the area? Looking at dive operator Starfish Entrprise in Lantana - know anything about them?
Seems this area is drift diving - true? Place to stay (cheap one bed)?
What is ocean condition/temp/viz in mid-March?
Any info much appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan

nomads · 12-05-2002, 02:06 PM,

Dan, Jim Abernethy is the best diver operator in W.Palm period. You can check them out at . You will be doing drift diving. My guess is that the water temp will be in the mid 70's in March. You will want a 3 mil suit. You can rent one. The further North you go the better the chance of seeing pelagics. I don't know his rates anymore but you should be able to do 3 dives w/ lunch on a six pack boat for less than $100. I suggest the 6 pack and stay away from cattle boats. Paul

DanL · 12-05-2002, 06:26 PM,

Paul,
Thanks. I'll contact them and make arrangements.
Looking fwd to diving with you EARLY this spring. May be major beaver dam action in Louise. See pic 6 at:

pw is divecrosby

Dan