Marco Island

[Minaret]

Does anyone know a good dive operator around Marco Island, FL? I want to plan a good day`s diving even if I have to go to the Keys to do it. I`d prefer to stay in the area but cannot seem to locate much information about dive sites or operators in the area. DT

[TaboZ]

Dennis T wrote diving on that portion of the Florida coast pretty much stinks. The bottom slopes off gradually and is mostly sand. There are a few wrecks in the area and, perhaps, a rock ridge here and there, but nothing like the structure and life found on the east coast and the Keys.
If you just want to get wet, go for it. Otherwise, I suggest you drive across the state or down it. Boynton has good drift diving along the second or third reef lines. Ft. Lauderdale has good wreck diving, some reef diving and milder current (generally). Miami`s much like Ft. Lauderdale. Diving in the Keys tends to be relatively shallow, which translates to more color. The fish populations in each of the areas can be very dense. There are, of course, exceptions in each of these areas. There are some nice wrecks in the Boynton area and a few nice reefs in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami as well as deep sites and wrecks in the Keys.
The point is, S. Florida`s east coast is where the diving you`ve heard about is.

[jimithing33]

I live on Marco Island and our dive shop here is ScubAdventures with Capt. Jeff Dawson as owner of the shop and Capt. of the dive boat. Give him a call at 239-389-7889 and tell him Marilyn sent you. When do you plan to be here and where are you coming from? What brings you to Marco? As far as the diving out in the Gulf off of Marco, it depends on what time of the year you dive here. The months of April, May and June usually have good visibility and if you`re looking for big fish, you`ll see them here. We have some very interesting dive sites and wrecks and our own "blue hole" which is about 250ft. deep. We also dive the towers and you will get a good "eyeful" of barracudas, jewfish, permit, snook, turtles, sharks, grouper, snapper, big rays and whatever else comes swimming by. The diving is very different from the east coast or the keys. We do not have the colorful coral formations or extensive plant life. So, it all depends on what you are looking for and how adventuresome you want to be. Spearfishing is good too...I can tell you that first hand. If you need any further information you can either email me or call Capt. Jeff.