Diving in Fort Lauderdale

[Scuba Pete]

Now it's time for a less (i hope) controversial subject. I'm going down to Fort Lauderdale with my girlfriend in a few weeks. Both of us dive, and I've been trying to track down a good dive op in the area. We'll actually be in Pompano, and I believe we're going to dive with South Florida Diving Headquarters. Do any of you have any experience with this dive op or another one that's near the lauderdale by the sea/pompano area?

I know these guys have a couple of cattleboats and a small boat, but most of our diving is going to be during the week, and it looks like they only get 6 or so divers signing up on weekdays. I'm planning on booking the smaller boat for the weekend diving.

[M&P+4]

Now it's time for a less (i hope) controversial subject.

Florida is a lousy place to dive - spend a couple bucks more and go to Coz!

Just kidding :p!

I've been on the gulf side diving a couple times but not the east coast. Have fun!

[Atlaua]

Florida is a lousy place to dive - spend a couple bucks more and go to Coz!

Just kidding :p!

I've been on the gulf side diving a couple times but not the east coast. Have fun!

Actually, I've always found it's cheaper to go to Coz than to Florida ;).

[theskull]

Come on, somebody give the man a legit answer. Wish I could, but I fly into Lauderdale to rent a car and drive to Key Largo for my dives.

theskull

[MgicTwnger]

Come on, somebody give the man a legit answer. Wish I could, but I fly into Lauderdale to rent a car and drive to Key Largo for my dives.

theskull
So do I, except it's Miami to Tavernier. Something like that actually might be your best bet. Pompano is a bit above Lauterdale, but it's still doable.

[steve2281]

I've been with SFDH; they were fine. I was on the big boat, but it wasn't crowded. The big boat is slow, but the boat rides are short and there was plenty of room.

For a six pack, try Captain Conrad http://members.tripod.com/~missconduct/the_boat.html
Conrad gives plenty of freedom, and he is quite a character. My first choice from my limited experience. good luck. steve

Edit: There's a couple of pics of the Rodeo 25, one of the wrecks of Pompano, in the gallery. Conrad will take you where you want to go and let you dive the way you want to dive. The reefs aren't too great IMHO.

[scubado]

I like to use DCI in Boynton Beach. Leo Sand is the captain and runs a top notch operation. The diving is modified drift diving and I've seen more sea life, better coral, more sponges and turtles in Boynton than in Key Largo. I've dove with Conrad before and his six-pack is good. However, I like the diving a bit north better.

Scubado

[Atlaua]

Come on, somebody give the man a legit answer. Wish I could, but I fly into Lauderdale to rent a car and drive to Key Largo for my dives.

theskull

While my response was a little tonge in cheek, I was kindof epressing the same sentiment. I wish I could answer as well. Other than my trip to cave country, I've never been diving in Florida. We've tried several times but when we added everything up, Cozumel was always cheeper. Belive me I want to go for both an SG trip and an Oriskany trip, but money keeps getting in the way.

James

[theskull]

While my response was a little tonge in cheek, I was kindof epressing the same sentiment. I wish I could answer as well. Other than my trip to cave country, I've never been diving in Florida. We've tried several times but when we added everything up, Cozumel was always cheeper. Belive me I want to go for both an SG trip and an Oriskany trip, but money keeps getting in the way.

James

This is even further from answering (sorry), but since getting cave certified I find it difficult to justify travelling any further than North Central Florida. Hard to beat cave diving anyway, but factor in a rented cabin at $20 a night and a year-long state park pass for $60 that allows all the diving you want in all the area parks, and doubles nitrox fills for $4 each and you just can't beat it. And I can drive there in a single day.

theskull

[Scuba Pete]

Well, diving in florida was not my first choice. Although I do head down there once a year for my sister in laws golf tourney. We had already purchased the tickets for a different vacation that ended up being a scam (long story). So i figured if we're going to use the tickets, I'm going to get some diving in.

[DeepDiverBob]

We had already purchased the tickets for a different vacation that ended up being a scam (long story).

Internet deal?

okay, I'll quit.

[nauifins73]

Internet deal? okay, I'll quit.

You are bad!!

[DeepDiverBob]

You are bad!!

If I didnt do it here, I would have to walk to the other side of the building to his desk and say it. Besides, hes never at his desk anyway.

[Scuba Pete]

If I didnt do it here, I would have to walk to the other side of the building to his desk and say it. Besides, hes never at his desk anyway.

Actually it was mail fraud, but it was my girlfriend that purchased the initial package last summer.

Oh, and Bob, I'm not at my desk because i'm out in the lot picking the lock to your truck and checking out what new gear i'd like next. You're a local shop aren't ya? :D

[Atlaua]

I'd be careful. Bob's gear has been known to cause herniated discs...

Actually it was mail fraud, but it was my girlfriend that purchased the initial package last summer.

Oh, and Bob, I'm not at my desk because i'm out in the lot picking the lock to your truck and checking out what new gear i'd like next. You're a local shop aren't ya? :D

[DeepDiverBob]

Actually it was mail fraud, but it was my girlfriend that purchased the initial package last summer.

Oh, and Bob, I'm not at my desk because i'm out in the lot picking the lock to your truck and checking out what new gear i'd like next. You're a local shop aren't ya? :D

you can have whatever is out there, if you want it. Just a heads up, the 7 mil is from last weekend, and I havent had a chance to wash it out yet.

[Scuba Pete]

you can have whatever is out there, if you want it. Just a heads up, the 7 mil is from last weekend, and I havent had a chance to wash it out yet.

Ah, that's where the smell came from. I thought they had just put down fresh fertilizer this morning.

[DeepDiverBob]

Ah, that's where the smell came from. I thought they had just put down fresh fertilizer this morning.

nah, thats just your Internet deals you smell.

[reefraff]

Shameless plug for Scuba Emporium - we (well, not me personally but the big kahuna) has an outpost in the Lauderdale area and recently bought a 40' dive boat that they're running out of Dania. I haven't seen it first-hand but the folks from Chicago that we've sent down there are coming back with very good things to say.

Call Carolyn in the Florida shop at 954-572-2642 and tell her I promised you that she'd show you a really good time. ;)

Linky thing: http://www.scubaemporiumfl.com

http://www.scubaemporiumfl.com/images/boat1.jpg

[Atlaua]

tell her I promised you that she'd show you a really good time.



I may never forgive you for getting Tommy Tutone stuck in my head.

[DeepDiverBob]

I may never forgive you for getting Tommy Tutone stuck in my head.

867-5309...

[Atlaua]

867-5309...


Ok, I finally got it out of my head and now this...let me introduce you all to our first EX-MOD ;)....

James

[reefraff]

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Ehhhh, Macarena!

[Atlaua]

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Ehhhh, Macarena!


Sory you can't hook me in non 'Merkin. Even if it is the Macarena, now the Electic Slide....doh, did it to myself :). Too many trips to tropical AI's I guess.

[reefraff]

Heh. He said merkin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin). Heh, heh.

[Atlaua]

Heh. He said merkin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin). Heh, heh.

Geez.. the things you find on WikiPedia. I'm pretty sure I meant:


In Europe, the slur "ugly Merkin" refers to uncultured residents of the USA. It is also commonly applied to US visitors to Europe who are thought to make self aggrandising claims of wealth and status. Characteristics associated with "Merkins" include boorishness, boasting (as opposed to European understatement), overly extravagant, colourful and tasteless dress as well as frequent unfavourable comparisons between America and Europe.


But who knows...I might have been calling myself a pubic wig ;)

[MgicTwnger]

But who knows...I might have been calling myself a pubic wig ;)
Now I'm stuck with that image in MY head.
Is there some way you could incorporate this into the MidwestDive banner?

Useless trivia: one of Peter Sellers' roles in Dr. Strangelove was President Merkin Muffley.

[reefraff]

http://www.hbo.com/news/img/252x190/vanzandt_10768819_252x190.jpg
Now I'm stuck with that image in MY head.
It looks like something might be stuck on that head, too - and I don't mean a bandana!

[MgicTwnger]

http://www.hbo.com/news/img/252x190/vanzandt_10768819_252x190.jpg

It looks like something might be stuck on that head, too - and I don't mean a bandana!

I'm tellin Tony.

[nauifins73]

Scuba Pete time for another thread. Yours start some interesting posts. :D

[DeepDiverBob]

I'm tellin Tony.

Hes busy crying to dr melffy

[MgicTwnger]

Hes busy crying to dr melffy
The crying is just an act so he can ogle her legs. There's no crying in the mob!

[steve2281]

Scuba Pete time for another thread. Yours start some interesting posts. :D

Indeed. Is there a subject to this thread?

[MgicTwnger]

Indeed. Is there a subject to this thread?
I think there used to be, in a time long, long ago and a galaxy far away.

[Scuba Pete]

I think there used to be, in a time long, long ago and a galaxy far away.

Someone must have watched the star wars stuff on history channel last night.......

[Scuba Pete]

Reefraff, I will give them a call. We're staying up in the Pampano/Lauderdale by the Sea area, so it may be a bit of a drive.

Thanks

[DeepDiverBob]

Someone must have watched the star wars stuff on history channel last night.......

Nah, Ken is always weird. Dude is out there like Naboo.

[Scuba Pete]

Well, in 48 hours I should be climbing back into the boat after a fun day of diving in FLL. Have fun in the cool waters over the next two weekends :)

[CBKinger]

When I was down there a few years back I dove with South Florida Diving in Pompano. It was good and reasonable as I remember from back then. Was one of my first ocean dives sop at that point everything in saltwater was great.

King