Posted by brianc on November 14, 2000 at 08:36:26:
In Reply to: Travel Plans for 2001 posted by Bernie Santos on November 14, 2000 at 00:14:29:
A lot of people overlook South Florida, because its in the U.S., but you can find good diving at varing skill levels (reefs and lots of wrecks) for low cost. Flights can be had now for $198 rt. That price is real, I've done it from SF, Oakland, and Sacto about 10 times over the last few years.
After Easter is a great time to go there. The tourist season has just ended, so lodging rates are cut in half. The humidity is still bearable, and the ocean gets up to about 80F in late May. The third week of May this year is when OceanFest will take place in Lauderdale by the Sea.
You'll have easy access to the Keys and the Bahamas are only about 55 miles away, there are fast boats that will take you there in the morning and back in the evening. Since there is so much dive business competition, the boats are much cheaper there than out here - $40-45 for a two tank dive is typical.