Hi
My college age son has taken a course in scuba diving. He now needs to dive to get certified.
He thinks that it will be easier , and safer, to do it in the USA (versus islands, etc.) Is Key West the most logical choice?
Is there any where else in FL that might be easier to get to that also offers good, (beginer) diving?
We are thinking about going over the 4th, so we need help ASAP.
Thank you!

whoops, sorry about the typo!

Check out Ginnie Springs:

http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com/index.html

I went years ago for a certification. It's a lot further north than Key West.

Hi,
I am really hoping that someone can suggest a quick weekend trip from Boston to get my son certified in diving.
Please help!

Ginnie Springs is also where I went for my cert about 12 years ago.

It was great! (And much warmer than the local quarry!)

Ft. Lauderdale has tons of wrecks. A bunch of people I know got certified in Crystal River. CR may be better for your son because it isn't in the ocean.

be careful about a 'quick trip' if it involves flying. You need to wait a day after diving before flying. Usually 2 dives at least in certification.

A little more details. You build up 'bad' gas in the system while diving. The first dive has to be deeper than following. In olden days you had charts and calculations to figure out how much bottom time you could have. Now with computers no need to calculate the info yourself.

I did check out dives in the Florida Springs and I would recommend there because you don't have to worry about currents and tides and seasickness.

Make sure son gets transfer paperwork.

Hi,
Thank you. Where are the Florida Springs and Ginnie Springs?

Just spoke to my son and he would really prefer the ocean.
Will Fort Lauderdale or Miami offer what we need?

ttt

cpeicott
Check with Dive Shops in your area. Almost all of them will offer certification dives. Tell them specificially that you want to go to Florida, if in fact that's the case. Check with the place where he took his course; most people I know get their certification dives as part of their classes (sometimes a separtatly paid for trip, but certainly offered by the dive school)

There are definitely plenty of dive shops in Ft Lauderdale or Miami, but I might suggest heading a bit farther south to Key Largo and the Pennekamp Reef state park. Diving is quite popular there, you have a fairly nice coral reef. When we lived in the FtL a few years ago, my diver friends didn't really like diving off the FtL or Miami beaches that much because there were too many drunk boaters racing around near diving areas.

Your best bet would be to contact dive shops in Ft. L and Miami - since these are easy, non-stop flights from Boston. Take heed of warning about flying after diving, though. Dive courses would offer classroom, pool and then open water components - it is possible he could do the first 2 in Boston area and then open water (ocean) part in a warmer climate - but many dive shops in Boston area offer courses - so if he is in Boston area, why not just do it all here.

As far as wrecks, coral reefs - that is for after he gets certified - on the certification dives, his main focus will be learning, safety, etc - not sightseeing.

In many resort areas, they offer quickie vacation courses - that do not lead to certification and do not teach everything you really need to know about safety.

New England Aquarium has a very active dive club with many very experienced divers who might be able to offer some more local advice - as well as many divers who travel quite a bit to dive.

Hi,
Thanks for all of the input.
We have booked a trip to Ft Lauderdale for a long weekend over the 4th. (Fri-Tues.)
Can anyone suggest a dive shop to do the dive part of his certification?
Yes, by the way, he could have done it here, as part of his course, but the water was way too cold.(Boston in May)
Some of the class dove in a pond.
He would really like to dive in the ocean.
Thanks for any input.

Hi,
We are leaving in 2 days. Please, any dive shop suggestions in Ft. Lauderdale?

Hi we are heading over to FLL right now(to look at our new house there), and I would say call the Dive Club in FLL(do a Google) and they should be able to help you..we will joining it when we move over. I do know that there is some shore snorkeling near Mangoes restaurant, maybe they could dive there too! FYI, Judy