Scuba Diving or Snorkelling in Florida

[TheOriginalJanice]

Hello I'm travelling to Kissimmee, Florida in two weeks with my parents and two sisters and I'm interested in either taking part in some snorkelling or scuba diving.

I'm a qualified BSAC Sports Diver and would love to do some scuba diving whilst out there and was wondering whether anybody knew of any good companies out there that would be willing to take me out and have use of their equipment.

I would love to take my family scuba diving to make them realise why I'm so addicted and to make them see the reasons behind me being prepared to have such a low bank balance! However as they have no experience of diving it would end up being evry expensive and I think I would get very upset if I went on a beginners course with them and being stuck at 3/4 metres with them.

So I have thought about maybe doing a few dives on my own and maybe taking them snorkelling, so does anybody know of any good areas to dive or snorkel and do you know of any companies that would be willing to take us out? Or even better anybody that would take me out diving and them snorkelling at the same time?Unfortunately I don't have any experience of diving in overhead environments, so cave diving is off limits for me - maybe in a few years time!

Any help or advice would be appreciated,

Many thanks,
Louise

[String]

There is some snorkeling in the springs about 2hrs north of you from memory.

Most of the diving in florida appears to be in the florida keys (Key largo mainly) and around the Ft Lauderdale area but thats a good 5hrs south of you.

Equipment rental and try dives arent a problem and lots of the day boats take snorkelling guests as well.

Chardy might be more use for you off this board - he's moved to Orlando so it maybe worth sending him a PM or alerting him to this thread.

FWIW i spent 2 weeks in kissimmee and 1 week in the keys last July. Well, it was supposed to be 7 days in the keys but a hurricane arrived and i lost half the week after being evacuated to Ft. Lauderdale (which is a horrible horrible place). Managed 3 days diving on the wrecks and reef around key largo in low but gradually improving vis.

Some photos here: http://www.whitcombe.org.uk/gallery/florida2005 if interested

[TheOriginalJanice]

Many thanks, I'm always amazed at the helpfullness and goodwill of the diving community. It's not often you find these characteristics these days!

[Chardy]

Louise,

replied,

Paul

[Chardy]

ORLANDO!

Celebration!

[pompeygreg]

When we were there we visited Blue Spring State Park. The spring feeds onto the St Johns River. When we were there (about 5 years ago) there were divers in the spring and the feed into the river. The spring was full of big catfish and the like. The river itself had 'gators in it so you might want to give that a miss

If I remembered rightly the spring was shut to divers / swimmers when the Manatees are in town. More details on their website

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

Should mention that it is a reasonable drive up the interstate from Kissimee. Also recommend the local rodeo if you want a less plastic night out.

[Rod]

Try to get across to Crystal River. There you can snorkle with the Manatees which is fantastic. I recommend www.birdsunderwater.com they are top notch.

[TheOriginalJanice]

Thanks guys!