FAQs

Is it "Palm Beach" or "West Palm Beach"?

West Palm Beach is a city of approximately 117 thousand residents, and home to many shops, restaraunts, high rises and office buildings. It borders the Intracoastal Waterway, which is what separates the mainland from the barrier islands. Palm Beach is small town of just 9 thousand residents, and is on the barrier islands east of West Palm Beach. In that sense, if you are going to the "beaches" of West Palm Beach, you are actually in Palm Beach. Both are located in Palm Beach County, along with Riviera Beach, where our dock is located. The reason some people say West Palm Beach? Because it's the largest city in the county, so the surrounding cites are commonly referred to as the "West Palm Beach area". Either way you say it, doesn't matter to us, just come diving here!

Does Florida have good scuba diving?

Yes, Florida offers excellent scuba diving opportunities with diverse marine life, clear waters, and numerous dive sites, including reefs, wrecks, and shore diving at the Blue Heron Bridge. Popular areas to explore in addition to West Palm Beach include: Key Largo, Key West, Pensacola, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. However, West Palm Beach has the best combination of affordability, convenience, and quality reef dives.

What is the best time of year to scuba dive in Florida?

Scuba diving in Florida can be enjoyed year-round due to its warm climate. Our "high season" is generally from May to September when water temperatures are warmer and kids are out of school. If you don't mind a slight chill (it's still Florida!), and have a cozy 5mm wetsuit, the "low season" of October to April can be a great time to get in your dives with less people on the boat! As far as sea conditions are concerned: the summer months bring afternoon rain showers, and the winter months can get windy (windy means choppy). Thankfully there are a lot of other activities in the West Palm Beach area in case you meet less than ideal weather - no matter what the time of the year.

Can you fly the day after scuba diving?

Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends a minimum pre-flight surface interval of at least 18 hours after multiple dives.

What is the minimum age for scuba diving certification?

Short answer: 10 years old, but we can only take 12 & up on our boat due to depth rescrictions.

PADI makes distinctions between 10-11 year olds, 12-14, and 15-17 year olds. The 15 and up group is able to be Open Water certified and dive without restrictions similar to the adults. The only difference is that a parent or guardian will need to sign a waiver for the boat every time they dive (as with all minors). 12-14 year olds can be Junior Open Water certified, but are limited to 60ft depths and must dive with a certified adult. We often go to 60ft reefs on our daily trips, but you will need to speak with Captain Alex ahead of time to ensure he is able to stick to those depths for a particular trip.

The 10-11 age group may get Junior Open Water certified, but they are restricted to diving with an instructor or parent, and limited to 40ft depths. The Palm Beach area dive sites are too deep for 10-11 year olds, so we recommend diving with a charter in Boynton Beach, or going to the Blue Heron Bridge. Kids under 10 cannot get certified, but PADI has a other types of programs on their website for them to enjoy. Other certifying agencies may have slightly different rules, but they are all similar.

At what age should you stop scuba diving?

There is no specific age to stop scuba diving, as long as you are in good physical health and possess the required skills. It is essential to consult with your physician regularly and assess your fitness for diving, regardless of your age.

Do you need a wetsuit to scuba dive in Florida?

A wetsuit is recommended for scuba diving in Florida, particularly during the cooler months (December to March). A 3mm "shorty" or "skin" (or long tight pants and rash guard) will suffice in the summer, while a 5mm wetsuit may be more suitable during winter. See our Dive Log for a sample of historical water temperatures.