NAPLES AREA DIVING INFORMATION

The Gulf of Mexico covers an abundance of bottom not yet explored by man. However, diving here is very unpredictable and best for the experienced diver.
Winter cold fronts cause unruly seas, cold water and poor visibility, which usually limits diving to the spring and summers months (April-October). Boat rides to the prime diving spots are long (10 to 30 miles offshore) and visibility on a good day is generally less than 15 feet! There are unusual days of better visibility but they are rare.

However, if you are trained for this type of diving, get ready for a thrill. Fish here are large and abundant, turtles plentiful and shelling superb. Both the ledges and wrecks support a profusion of large colorful sponges and gorgonians.
The waters off Naples are historic for large populations of Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), the largest reef fish species in the Caribbean area, growing to a whopping 700 pounds and eight feet on length. Since the 1990 harvesting moratorium on jewfish, the species had made a dramatic comeback. At times as many as a dozen of these living monoliths are sighted on area wrecks.

Spear fishing is generally the activity of the day. Snapper and grouper are the prime game. To spearfish legally in Collier County jurisdiction, you must be offshore at least 10 miles and have the appropriate licenses. State law prohibits spear fishing in Collier County.

List of area charter Captains who take divers out:

Naples

Mark Garey 239-537-5532

Marco Island

Tim Garner 239-280-7662

Jeff Dawson 239-389-7889

Prices are $100 to $125 per person (min 4 divers)
plus any equipment rentals