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LOCAL DIVING AREAS
We understand that you may not be completely confident in the water. We also know that you may not be as comfortable in the water as a seasoned pro. You may not know other divers to go diving with. You may not even know where to go! We have a variety of diving activities scheduled so you can get out and dive, meet other people and gain confidence along the way. Who knows, you may end up meeting new friends, new dive buddies, or even meet that special someone.
We offer 1/2 day trips, full day trips, fresh & salt water diving from beginners to advanced.
Find out even more info for local diving on our divelinks page.
If you need help with rentals, or directions or any other info, give us a call,
"We make dreams come true"
"SALTWATER SITES"
GULF OF MEXICO Anna Marisa island or Clearwater We offer several dive charters in our area to serve your Gulf diving needs. Some of our local Gulf diving can even be done from the shore. Our boat charters run from Clearwater all the way down to Anna Maria Island. We can get you out in the morning and back by lunchtime, or full-day three-tank trips if you like. We have wreck diving on several artificial wrecks and some that Mother Nature claimed for her own. We have reef diving on natural limestone ledges, and many artificial sites that will amaze you with colorful creatures for you to enjoy.
You must call ahead and make payment to reserve your spots for the day.
FLORIDA'S EAST COAST-WEST PALM BEACH/JUPITER BEACH The perfect getaway is only a few hours by car. The East coast is know for great drift diving and these trips are not to be missed. Turtles, sharks & Goliath Grouper are just a few of the critters we encounter on a regular basis. With warm water most of the year and an abundance of wildlife, these dives are truly amazing. Drift diving is effortless and is one of our customers favorite trips. We can cover much more area underwater by drifting with the current instead of staying on a single site. Trips are usually on the weekend, so scheduling is easy for most folks.
Epcot DiveQuest is a unique scuba diving experience inside the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater tank at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion in Epcot theme park. Scuba-certified guests can swim with over 6,000 sea creatures-including sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, eagle rays and sharks. All guests must be SCUBA-certified and at least 10 years of age to participate. Guests ages 10 to 12 must be accompanied by a paying, participating parent or guardian.
The experience lasts about 3 hours and guests will spend approximately 45-50 minutes underwater in the massive Caribbean Coral Reef aquarium. Participants also get to tour the massive backstage infrastructure required to filter and maintain a vast man-made ocean flourishing with marine life. You will join the cast as you are on display in front of Disney guests. Then refreshments, hot showers, a certificate of completion, Epcot/dive quest gift and an opportunity to purchase a video of your dive.
With its clear water and and lack of currents, it is a relaxed dive that both beginners and experienced divers will never forget. All equipment is included in the cost. Park admission is not included or required , all you need is a swimsuit, certification card, and if you wish ,bring your own dive mask-particularly if you use a prescription.
SUGAR BARGE (Bradenton Beach Dive)Known as the Molasses Barge, the remains of this 75 foot long barge lie in 15 feet of water, 100 yards off Bradenton Beach. This site is a popular beach dive and is easily located because of a metal post that sticks through the ocean's surface. Visibility can be difficult. Best in the afternoon or once an easterly has blown for a day or two.
VENICE BEACH (Fossil Diving) While diving in Venice you can dive from the beach or several charters. You may find Megalodon shark teeth, manatee bones, whale bones, prehistoric horse bones and other unique fossils. All the dives in the Venice Beach area are in the 20-30 foot depth range allowing for plenty of bottom time. This type of fossil diving is usually called "muck diving", as the average visibility is normally 2-10 feet.
"FRESH WATER SITES"
WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS - 6131 Commercial Way,Spring Hill,FL 34606 Located about an hour North of Tampa at the crossroads of US 19 & SR 50, Weeki Wachee is more than just a mark on a road map.The Seminole Indians named the spring “Weeki Wachee,” which means “little spring” or “winding river.” The spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. Each day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 72-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns. Visitors can swim at Buccaneer Bay, see the Misunderstood Creatures animal show, or take a riverboat ride down the Weeki Wachee River and into Old Florida. A family of peacocks roams the grounds. Turtles, fish, manatees, otters and even an occasional alligator swim in the spring with the mermaids, amusing both children and adults. Visitors can pose with mermaids, and even swim in the spring with the new Sea Diver program. Children can attend the summer Mermaid Camp and fulfill their dreams of becoming a little mermaid or a merman. We are one of the lucky few who are contracted to dive here and we dive on most Saturdays and some Sundays. Admission includes all areas of the park for a day full of fun. Quality Inn Across the street.
RAINBOW RIVER at K.P. HOLE-19158 S.W. 81st Place Rd, Dunnellon, Florida 34432 Located in Dunnellon, Florida, which is in the southwest corner of Marion County Florida, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala, 100 miles northwest of Orlando and 100 miles north of the Tampa Bay area. The Rainbow River is formed by a first magnitude spring (Rainbow Springs) that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge. In addition to the springs located at the headwaters, there are many smaller springs that discharge from numerous caves, rock crevices, and sand boils the entire length of the river. The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon Florida. The headwaters, Rainbow Springs, is the anchor for the Rainbow Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous vents that issue 400 - 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day. The Rainbow Springs State Park is a popular destination to swim, snorkel, canoe, picnic, or stroll on the walking paths to enjoy the many plants and animals that abound here.
BLUE GROTTO - 3852 N.E. 172 ct, Williston ,FL 32696 Located N.W. of Ocala, Blue Grotto is just outside of Williston, Blue Grotto is a cavern system great for OW divers, and even a snorkel can get you around to several of interesting views. One of the more unique aspects of Blue Grotto is their fresh air filled "bell" at 30 feet that is a novelty many divers enjoy checking out. This air bell is constantly being supplied by a compressor, so you don't have to worry about CO2 retention. It can fit several divers in at once. While in the bell, you can look through the glass at the people swimming above you while you are just talking to your buddies without a regulator. You can explore the open cavern system without any more than open water certification, although it is recommend that you limit yourself to a 60 foot maximum depth.OWilliston Moter Inn.
DEVILS DEN- 5390 N.E. 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696regulati Located just outside of Williston off of Alt-27, lies Devils Den. On a cold winter morning you can see steam, like smoke, rising from the chimney. Thus, the early settlers gave the name Devil's Den. Crystal clear water, year round 72 degree temperatures, ancient rock formations with stalactites, fossil beds, and much more. Devil's Den is truly a natural wonder. Bring the family and enjoy a day of fun and relaxation at Devil's Den. All divers must be Open Water certified, sign release, have proper training, and follow rules and regulations. Williston Motor Inn.
Basic Open-Water certification is needed to 60ft, Deep specialty beyond 80ft.
HUDSON GROTTO - 6815 Tower Dr, Hudson ,FL 34667 Hudson Grotto is located 1 mile north of HWY 52 on us 19, Hudson Grotto is a prehistoric limestone sink, most likely the oldest body of water in Pasco County. This unusual water feature is part fresh, part salt water and descends to depth's over 100 feet. What you'll find here is very unique and different than other sites. Around the edges you'll explore limestone outcropping's with unusual fossils and solution tubes.
Crystal River, the gem of Florida's beautiful Nature Coast, is about a two hour drive from Tampa/St. Petersburg. Because Kings Bay is one of the best places in the world to observe manatees Crystal River is an international destination. Kings Bay, which has been designated an "Outstanding Florida Waterway," offers opportunities for boating, diving, swimming, fishing as well as a variety of Manatee and Eco-Tours. In addition, there are miles of nature trails to hike, bike and observe an abundance of birds, deer, alligators and other wildlife.
PARADISE SPRINGS - 4040 S.E. 84 Lane Rd, Ocala, FL 34480 Paradise Springs, in Florida, is truly a dive oasis. This is a guided two tank dive into a prehistoric cavern. Imagine diving in a crystal clear underwater volcano, where the fossils are just a few feet underwater. This dive starts with a huge whale bone protruding from the cavern. Paradise Springs is a deep dive descending down to 105 feet at the bottom of the ballroom. Over time the water carved this room to look like a roman arena. All that you need is your open water certification card and after a fifteen minute safety stop, American Pro Diving Centers fun, knowledgeable, and professional divemasters / instructors guide you again on your second tank in the 15 to 70 feet ballroom. Many fossils can be found and on this dive and see where, at one time, prehistoric man lived in this cavern before the spring waters filled it in. This untouched dive site makes Paradise Springs Cavern Dive a remote dive oasis.
FORTY FATHOM GROTTO - 9487 NW 115th Ave, Ocala, FL 34482 Geologically, the Grotto is what is known as an in-line sinkhole. Sinkholes form when the earth and rock above an underground river become weakened by the flow of water underneath. Eventually, this earth and rock collapses. Much of this material is carried away by the current; that which remains forms what is known as a debris cone, which the river now flows up and over.
In Highlands County, Florida, about a 1.5-hour drive from Orlando, is Lake Denton, a 66-acre (26-hectare) spring-filled body of water that holds a reputation as a good place to hone your diving skills. The dive site is reached via the 16-acre (6-hectare) property of Lake Denton Camp, a Christian ministry of Lake Denton Management Inc. Underwater finds at Lake Denton include three small boats connected by a line that divers can follow at a depth of 20-25 feet (6-7.5 m). A c-card and signed liability waiver are required.
The lake is nestled between the cities of Avon Park and Sebring, Florida. Aquatic life: Bluegill and other freshwater fish. On-site amenities: A shower and changing room are available.
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