Charter boats for freediving in South Florida?

[mannydib]

any suggestions on charter boats to use to freedive in South Florida?
i know alot of them take snorkelers out to the first reefline which might be good for now. not sure if they take you out to the actual ledge where it drops to 30', though.

 

[MKDVR]

Look what the cat dragged in. Manny, you found me. Did you give up and sell your gear too? Say hello to the gang for me.

Anyway, I'd be interested in the answer too. I haven't tried freediving the ocean yet but hit the springs when I can. I'm sure there are some charters in Miami but haven't had the need to look yet.

 

[Lehmann108]

Hey, I'm a south florida guy too and would be interested in freediving charters.

 

[lungfish]

While I can't help with specifics I do have some suggestions....

I have dove from commercial snorkel/Scuba charters in a number of countries. I have never had a boat refuse to allow me to freedive. This is what I do....

I always try to have a buddy to dive with. I get our reservations and get to the boat early, like we are the first ones there. I watch the crew, find out who is the dive master and who is the skipper. Then I introduce us and tell him that we are freedivers and want to use our skills while we snorkel. I always understate my intentions and make sure they understand that we have a lot of experience.

I have never been turned down.

In fact, out of Port Douglas I have cultivated relationships by diving the same boat for a week at a time. The crew started to cater to different locations to show me things even though the boat had 50 paying guests. They stopped worrying about me having a buddy and allowed me to dive on top of the Scuba tours.

If anyone wants specific names and boats, just ask.

In one situation I enjoyed four separate days where the boat moored up just on the inside of the outermost ribbon reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (Opal Reef/St. Crispins complex off of Cape Tribulation) and after deploying the tourists the skipper zodiac-ed me out to the outside of the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea in about 300meters of water and let me off solo to swim several miles back on the incoming tide. Its really a trip to flip off the boat, descend 10meters while it goes away and find oneself alone, thirty miles from shore in 1000ft of blue water. Of course, as you drift in, the reefs are prominent and the life is spectacular......

but I digress.

The main thing is to gain the confidence of the crew and captain and it is pretty easy if you have a buddy and take a little time to make it social....

my two cents worth.

lungfish

 

[mannydib]

In one situation I enjoyed four separate days where the boat moored up just on the inside of the outermost ribbon reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (Opal Reef/St. Crispins complex off of Cape Tribulation) and after deploying the tourists the skipper zodiac-ed me out to the outside of the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea in about 300meters of water and let me off solo to swim several miles back on the incoming tide. Its really a trip to flip off the boat, descend 10meters while it goes away and find oneself alone, thirty miles from shore in 1000ft of blue water. Of course, as you drift in, the reefs are prominent and the life is spectacular......

Crikey! I think I'd feel like White Pointer bait!

 

[Lehmann108]

Crikey! I think I'd feel like White Pointer bait!

My feelings exactly!

 

[lungfish]

I would never recommend that kind of dive to anyone. It is an aescetic practice and you deserve WHATEVER you experience out there.

It is really cool though.

giggle.

I did it with Susan, once.

Read my journal entry here at deeperblue titled "Barracuda!"

hee hee hee


The way it worked was the boat would moor up on the inside of the outermost reef complex. The tide was incoming. So Mick would zip me across the coral bombies and out into the sea about 500yds and drop me off. Then I would drift in on the tide, and follow the channels around the reefs for miles back to the boat around the coral outcrops(bombies, as they call them). The "bombies" are incredible structures of coral the size of large buildings, sometimes ten stories high and reaching within a foot of the surface at low tide. They are covered in structure for fish and other critters and are fully occupied...

here are some pics..keep in mind I was using a wide angle, Cheapo Deluxe UW camera - the Cuda was close enough to touch and you can tell by his posture that he was on his best behaviour.....

lungfish

 

[Chad Carney]

Capt Conrad of Misconduct Charters does a great job with freedivers.

http://members.tripod.com/~missconduct/index.html

You are best off to book a smaller 6 pack boat to dive how you like, not a big boat with mixed purpose divers.

Chad

 

[lungfish]

I have added some of the barracuda pics to my previous post that related to my journal entry "Barracuda!" and a couple others to show just how alive the GBR is...
Lungfish

 

[Lehmann108]

I have added some of the barracuda pics to my previous post that related to my journal entry "Barracuda!" and a couple others to show just how alive the GBR is...
Lungfish

I saw my first barracuda yesterday since returning to snorkeling/freediiving. Off of Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, Florida. About 5 meters down I was cruising along the sandy bottom and he was too. He let me follow him for a while and then with a quick flick of his tail he shot away. Pretty cool.

 

[mannydib]

I saw my first barracuda yesterday since returning to snorkeling/freediiving. Off of Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, Florida. About 5 meters down I was cruising along the sandy bottom and he was too. He let me follow him for a while and then with a quick flick of his tail he shot away. Pretty cool.

i used to snorkel Red Reef Park as a kid. im glad they didnt bury it again with their beach renourishment plans

 

[mannydib]

Capt Conrad of Misconduct Charters does a great job with freedivers.

http://members.tripod.com/~missconduct/index.html

You are best off to book a smaller 6 pack boat to dive how you like, not a big boat with mixed purpose divers.

Chad

cool. i didnt know he ran those trips.

Ive considered just going from shore. Id feel safer with some kind of inflatable or kayak 100+ yards from shore.
Im kinda embarrased to say this, but i feel like bait on the surface.
Although in my 300+ scuba dives ive only seen a shark (other than a nurse) twice and at a distance, it's the surfers and swimmers that you hear about getting attacked.
Not sure what i would do if a bull showed up other than panic.

 

[raif pomeroy]

any suggestions on charter boats to use to freedive in South Florida?
i know alot of them take snorkelers out to the first reefline which might be good for now. not sure if they take you out to the actual ledge where it drops to 30', though.

Hi Dan. I own a 44 foot sailboat and am a PADI divemaster. I have twentyfive years of experience diving in the bahamas. My boat is outfitted to take between 2 to 4 people. 2 people with their own cabin and bathroom, 4 if they can share the bathroom. Freediving is my thing. I will be available in early june. write to me at raif_pomeroy@yahoo.com
Take care,
Raif

 

[raif pomeroy]

Look what the cat dragged in. Manny, you found me. Did you give up and sell your gear too? Say hello to the gang for me.

Anyway, I'd be interested in the answer too. I haven't tried freediving the ocean yet but hit the springs when I can. I'm sure there are some charters in Miami but haven't had the need to look yet.

Hi. I have a 44 foot sailboat thats available for charters from june onward. I've been a padi divemaster for 22 years and my boat is SCUBA equipped but freediving is my thing. If you are interested in specifics write to me at raif_pomeroy@yahoo.com.
Best, Raif

 

[raif pomeroy]

Hi. I have a 44 foot sailboat available for charter early june. I have 25 years experience diving in the bahamas. I am PADI certified but freediving is my thing. I am planning an exciting trip, if you are interested write to me at:
raif_pomeroy@yahoo.com
Best,
Raif