Diving Florida’s West Coast
Tidal marshes form part of the coastline between St. Marks and Crystal River, the Big Bend of Florida’s west coast. Crystal River and Homosassa Springs are the winter home of the West Indian Manatees. Homosassa Spring is one of the best areas to observe Manatees in 20 to 30 feet of water.
The coastline between Tampa, Sarasota, and Naples has a great artificial reef program, wrecks, and a couple deep sinkholes, where there is an abundance of marine life. There are many wrecks along the west coast. The Bay Ronto, a 400-foot British freighter in 110 feet of water lies 30 miles south of Venice. The 266-foot Baja California sank in 114 feet of water in the Gulf, 25 miles south of Naples.
Spearfishing is very popular in the Gulf of Mexico. With ledges, wrecks, and artificial reefs Grouper, Hogfish, and various snapper are common. Turtles and an occasional whale shark can also be seen offshore.
Best time to dive
April through June
Visibility
Visibility can range from 10 to 80+ feet depending on the time of year and where you’re diving. The Gulf waters get very warm in the summer and create algae blooms causing reduced visibility.
Water temperatures
Water temperatures are 85+ °F in summer months and can fall into the low 50s in the winter.
Weather and climate
Florida has a semi-tropical climate. It is very hot and humid from June through August. Expect temperatures to exceed 90 degrees F and humidity to hover near 100 percent. Cooler temperatures are found during the winter months between December and March when temperatures are around 75 degrees and the humidity is much less. It rains nearly every day in the summer, but the showers are generally short and the sun usually quickly reappears. Florida is the sunshine state and also the thunderstorm and lightning state. Due to the abundance of warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and the hot tropical sun, conditions are perfect for the formation of thunderstorms.
Language
English
Passport/Visa requirements
Canadians do not require a visa, only a valid passport or a birth certificate or citizenship certificate if arriving directly from Canada. Valid passports are required for all other nationalities. Visas are required for many nationalities. You should check current requirements before traveling as requirements can change very quickly. Visitors must have return or onward tickets and the necessary documents for further travel.
Currency
U.S. Dollar – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
110 volts AC, 50 cycles. Plugs are mainly the two, flat-pin type, though three-pin plugs are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter, which can be purchased in most major departure airports.
Capital
Tallahassee
General information
Florida is located in the southeastern United States. Florida is bordered on the west coast by the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast by the Atlantic Ocean. Excellent beaches run up and down both coasts bringing travelers from around the world. Florida is flat and only several feet above sea level at any one spot. Florida is a water and boaters playground.
Florida is also the “sunshine” state and is known for many things: the Everglades; the sun, sand, and surf that make up Florida’s 900 miles of beaches; the Florida Keys; South Beach, the trendiest place in the world at the moment; and Disney World.
Map
Get a map of Florida from WorldAtlas.com.