Florida West Scuba School

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Equipment specials
Charter schedule
Dive reports
Special trips
And much much more!

Come and dive with best operation on the west coast of Florida!

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TO VIEW OUR NEW DIVE CALENDAR, CLICK ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS PAGE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you have questions or would like to schedule a dive, it is better to call us at 941-486-1400 than to send email.  With our busy charter schedule, we often cannot answer our email as fast as we would like.

Our new boat - Hammerhead 6 - is parked here at our dock.  Our boat is equipped with two GPS units, two bottom graph machines, a diver recall system, and naturally all the safety equipment required for a certified USCG dive vessel,and then some!

Dive Rules

I am not one for a lot of rules, never have been, as I believe in diver freedom.  However, since pulling divers back to the boat has gotten way to common for me, I have a couple of new rules for our dive boat operation.  Please read the following:

1. All charters below 60 feet deep require advanced training and a dive computer.  We have no morings in the Gulf, nor do we do drift dives.  Dives below 60 feet require the vessel to be at least 12 miles from shore.  Rough conditions can be anticipated.  If the seas are greater than 3-4 feet, the dive trip will be cancelled. Please be advised that all dives are performed with the vessel anchored, and that each diver is responsible to monitor their air supply so as to return to the boat via the anchor line.  Free ascents in the Gulf are NOT recommended!

2. If you are significantly out of shape and cannot walk up a short flight of stairs without getting winded, then diving in the Gulf of Mexico is probably not for you.  The Gulf can be smooth as glass, or very rough.  Rough and windy days on the Gulf can stress out even the best of divers.  Please consider your personal fitness before signing up for a charter.  This is for your safety!!

3. If you are diving with us in the winter months - BE PREPARED!!  You are not diving in the Florida Keys, but in the Gulf of Mexico.  During the winter, the water can get as cold as the mid-50s and conditions can be rough with very limited visibility.  Most charter dates booked in the heart of the winter get cancelled due to rough sees or the lack of vis, or both, so don't be too dissappointed if your diving date gets cancelled.  When diving in the winter, it is best to use at least 7 mil of neoprene on your body, and a thick neoprene hood is mandatory.  We have good rental suits in the shop, and I have a nice supply of thick hoods on the boat which I will loan you for free.

4. Younger divers ages 10 and 11 which have the Junior Certification MUST dive with their parent or a CURRENT (meaning insured!) divemaster or instructor.  Diving depth is restricted to 40 feet max.

5. Certified Junior Divers aged from 12-15 must dive with an adult up to a depth of 60 feet maximum.

6. All Junior divers MUST have a signed release from their legal parent or guardian.

DAY TRIPS WITH FLORIDA WEST SCUBA ABOARD HAMMERHEAD

Hammerhead is piloted by Capt. Steve Thacker - Owner of Florida West Scuba School.  If you do not find a date on our calender, give us a call and we might still be able to get you diving during the week.  If you have a group and want to book a weekend date for something special, we will try and help you.  We also often have divers checking in during the week so give us a call at 941-486-1400 and we will try and get you on a boat.

Upcoming Charters: Check out our calendar link on our main page.  If you don't find a date that fits - call us!!  We need at least 4 divers to make a charter.  During the winter, it is tougher to fill the boat during the week.  During the summer, we are out almost every day that weather permits.  This is also true for the spring break period.  Get reservations for April and May way in advance as these are our best tooth hunting months with the best weather and normally calm seas.

Capt. Steve Thacker 
Owner - Florida West Scuba School