Tampa/St. Petersburg area diving?

Thanks John. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Jon Weinberg

On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:02:19 -0500, JRE <nothing@nowhere.com> wrote:

>Jon Weinberg wrote:
>> Does anyone have any recommendations on dive shops/boats that do trips
>> out of the Tampa Bay/St. Pete's area of Florida? I'll be going there
>> in late January and want to do some diving (gulf and/or fresh water).
>>
>> I've seen several shops/outfitters on the web but was looking for any
>> personal recommendations.
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Jon Weinberg
>>
>> | email: jon at JonWeinberg daht com
>> | web: www.JonWeinberg.com
>>
>
>It's very tough to get out on the Gulf side of Florida that time of year
>from the Tampa area. I gave up trying last year after trying for two
>years. Rivers and caverns are the order of the day unless you want to
>travel to the East coast or up to Pensacola (for the Oriskany). Hudson
>Grotto, Devil's Den, Hospital Hole, and Blue Grotto (in no particular
>order) are all reasonable drives from Tampa. Eagle's Nest is also close
>but you need a vehicle that can negotiate a rutted dirt road and enough
>cave diving experience to keep you safe. Also, Ginnie Springs is 3-4
>hours away in High Springs. (If you do Hudson Grotto be aware that the
>sulfer/tannin layer will instantly corrode any brass in your kit. Oh,
>and it's dark below that--bring at least two lights.)
>
>In the Tampa area, EZ Scuba in (I think) Oldsmar is IMO the best dive
>shop in the area by far. For one thing, so far as I know, it's the only
>place you can rent a set of doubles. (I live in NYS and have no
>connection with them other than as a satisfied customer.)
>
>Oh--and manatees are *big* up close.
>
>John Eells

Jon Weinberg

| email: jon at JonWeinberg daht com
| web: www.JonWeinberg.com

Thanks John. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Jon Weinberg

On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:02:19 -0500, JRE <nothing@nowhere.com> wrote:

>Jon Weinberg wrote:
>> Does anyone have any recommendations on dive shops/boats that do trips
>> out of the Tampa Bay/St. Pete's area of Florida? I'll be going there
>> in late January and want to do some diving (gulf and/or fresh water).
>>
>> I've seen several shops/outfitters on the web but was looking for any
>> personal recommendations.
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Jon Weinberg
>>
>> | email: jon at JonWeinberg daht com
>> | web: www.JonWeinberg.com
>>
>
>It's very tough to get out on the Gulf side of Florida that time of year
>from the Tampa area. I gave up trying last year after trying for two
>years. Rivers and caverns are the order of the day unless you want to
>travel to the East coast or up to Pensacola (for the Oriskany). Hudson
>Grotto, Devil's Den, Hospital Hole, and Blue Grotto (in no particular
>order) are all reasonable drives from Tampa. Eagle's Nest is also close
>but you need a vehicle that can negotiate a rutted dirt road and enough
>cave diving experience to keep you safe. Also, Ginnie Springs is 3-4
>hours away in High Springs. (If you do Hudson Grotto be aware that the
>sulfer/tannin layer will instantly corrode any brass in your kit. Oh,
>and it's dark below that--bring at least two lights.)
>
>In the Tampa area, EZ Scuba in (I think) Oldsmar is IMO the best dive
>shop in the area by far. For one thing, so far as I know, it's the only
>place you can rent a set of doubles. (I live in NYS and have no
>connection with them other than as a satisfied customer.)
>
>Oh--and manatees are *big* up close.
>
>John Eells

Jon Weinberg

| email: jon at JonWeinberg daht com
| web: www.JonWeinberg.com

In article <k5ceo2922planabl31hqq4dopjgeghme4g@4ax.com>,
Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:


>
> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
> River, it's a neat dive.



In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
(http://www.birdsunderwater.com)

They have great manatee toursand will gladly direct you other dive
locations. Very knowledgable and helpful staff for everything from OW to
technical cave dives.

Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask
them for a recommendation to another shop.

On the flip side, avoid American Pro Dive Center - Their goal is to get
as much money out as you as possible using any trick they can.

In article <k5ceo2922planabl31hqq4dopjgeghme4g@4ax.com>,
Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:


>
> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
> River, it's a neat dive.



In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
(http://www.birdsunderwater.com)

They have great manatee toursand will gladly direct you other dive
locations. Very knowledgable and helpful staff for everything from OW to
technical cave dives.

Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask
them for a recommendation to another shop.

On the flip side, avoid American Pro Dive Center - Their goal is to get
as much money out as you as possible using any trick they can.

In article <k5ceo2922planabl31hqq4dopjgeghme4g@4ax.com>,
Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:


>
> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
> River, it's a neat dive.



In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
(http://www.birdsunderwater.com)

They have great manatee toursand will gladly direct you other dive
locations. Very knowledgable and helpful staff for everything from OW to
technical cave dives.

Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask
them for a recommendation to another shop.

On the flip side, avoid American Pro Dive Center - Their goal is to get
as much money out as you as possible using any trick they can.

Ron T wrote

>> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
>> River, it's a neat dive.

Agree on both points.

> In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
> (http://www.birdsunderwater.com) They have great manatee tours and
> will gladly direct you other dive locations. Very knowledgable and helpful
> staff for everything from OW to technical cave dives.
> Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask them
> for a recommendation to another shop.

Personally, I prefer to rent one of the Jon boats at the Best Western, which
is where we stay when we're in Crystal River. They give you a chart that
will help you find the more interesting snorkel/dive sites and the manatees.

If you want a nice day doing something other than diving, the Homosassa
Attraction, in Homosassa Springs, is worth the small charge.

If you're going as far as Crystal River and Rainbow River, you may also want
to set aside some time to do Devil's Den and Blue Grotto, a couple of
interesting sink hole dives in Williston.

Lee

Ron T wrote

>> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
>> River, it's a neat dive.

Agree on both points.

> In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
> (http://www.birdsunderwater.com) They have great manatee tours and
> will gladly direct you other dive locations. Very knowledgable and helpful
> staff for everything from OW to technical cave dives.
> Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask them
> for a recommendation to another shop.

Personally, I prefer to rent one of the Jon boats at the Best Western, which
is where we stay when we're in Crystal River. They give you a chart that
will help you find the more interesting snorkel/dive sites and the manatees.

If you want a nice day doing something other than diving, the Homosassa
Attraction, in Homosassa Springs, is worth the small charge.

If you're going as far as Crystal River and Rainbow River, you may also want
to set aside some time to do Devil's Den and Blue Grotto, a couple of
interesting sink hole dives in Williston.

Lee

Ron T wrote

>> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
>> River, it's a neat dive.

Agree on both points.

> In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
> (http://www.birdsunderwater.com) They have great manatee tours and
> will gladly direct you other dive locations. Very knowledgable and helpful
> staff for everything from OW to technical cave dives.
> Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask them
> for a recommendation to another shop.

Personally, I prefer to rent one of the Jon boats at the Best Western, which
is where we stay when we're in Crystal River. They give you a chart that
will help you find the more interesting snorkel/dive sites and the manatees.

If you want a nice day doing something other than diving, the Homosassa
Attraction, in Homosassa Springs, is worth the small charge.

If you're going as far as Crystal River and Rainbow River, you may also want
to set aside some time to do Devil's Den and Blue Grotto, a couple of
interesting sink hole dives in Williston.

Lee

In article <k5ceo2922planabl31hqq4dopjgeghme4g@4ax.com>,
Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:


>
> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
> River, it's a neat dive.



In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
(http://www.birdsunderwater.com)

They have great manatee toursand will gladly direct you other dive
locations. Very knowledgable and helpful staff for everything from OW to
technical cave dives.

Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask
them for a recommendation to another shop.

On the flip side, avoid American Pro Dive Center - Their goal is to get
as much money out as you as possible using any trick they can.

Ron T wrote

>> Should be manatee season in Crystal River. Also, look up the Rainbow
>> River, it's a neat dive.

Agree on both points.

> In Crystal River I suggest Bird's Underwater Dive Shop
> (http://www.birdsunderwater.com) They have great manatee tours and
> will gladly direct you other dive locations. Very knowledgable and helpful
> staff for everything from OW to technical cave dives.
> Reservations for Manatee tours are a must. If birds is booked up ask them
> for a recommendation to another shop.

Personally, I prefer to rent one of the Jon boats at the Best Western, which
is where we stay when we're in Crystal River. They give you a chart that
will help you find the more interesting snorkel/dive sites and the manatees.

If you want a nice day doing something other than diving, the Homosassa
Attraction, in Homosassa Springs, is worth the small charge.

If you're going as far as Crystal River and Rainbow River, you may also want
to set aside some time to do Devil's Den and Blue Grotto, a couple of
interesting sink hole dives in Williston.

Lee