Best places to dive in Florida?

[Sigyn]

What are the best places to dive in Florida in October? Is there anywhere that's not too brackish in the Pensacola area? Trying to find somewhere that's a relatively short distance to get to, so that would be Pensacola, Tampa or Jacksonville. 

Edited September 25, 2023 by Sigyn

[Bobroo]

The best answer is Ft Lauderdale. 

[ROUS]

If diving in that area, I'd go to the fresh water springs before I'd dive Pensacola.  Consider the caverns at Ginnie Springs and Williston.

[NutsAboutGolf]

On 9/25/2023 at 9:20 AM, Sigyn said:

What are the best places to dive in Florida in October? Is there anywhere that's not too brackish in the Pensacola area? Trying to find somewhere that's a relatively short distance to get to, so that would be Pensacola, Tampa or Jacksonville. 

 

I wouldn't call P-Cola to Tampa or to J-Ville remotely close.  Where is your starting point, NOLA?  If so, P-Cola would be your best option for the panhandle as they have many wrecks.  On the other hand, if you plan on staying for a few nights, Tampa and J'Ville are much larger cities than P-Cola.  P-Cola Viz is best in the summer but should still be good in Oct.  If you're looking for unique experiences, about an hour north of Tampa is Crystal Lake which is one of the few places you can legally snorkel with the manatees.  Venice FL, roughly an hour south of Tampa, they get to go hunting for fossilized shark teeth including the megalodon.  Find a big one and you can sell them for hundreds and in some cases $1,000+

[Laszlo]

One of the top places to dive in Florida, at least it was is Looe Key. The amount of fish the reef held was unreal 

[bucky0926]

Don't dive go snorkeling with the manatees in crystal river.  Truly a life changing event.

[Old Flamingo]

My husband recommends Jim Abernathy in West Palm Beach. Uses a live aboard so they can refil nitrox on the reef and the reef diving is great.