Diving Conditions In Florida
Updated , by Nancy
Temperature #
There is no end to our dive season. To stay warm in the cooler months, just wear a wet suit or a dry suit and bring a jacket or sweatshirt to stay warm between dives.
Air Temperature #
Average
Minimum and Maximum
Degrees Fahrenheit
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 56 | 57 | 61 | 65 | 70 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 64 | 59 |
| Maximum | 65 | 66 | 70 | 74 | 78 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 81 | 78 | 72 | 68 |
Water Temperature #
Degrees Fahrenheit
Mid-Month
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 72 | 72 | 74 | 79 | 80 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 79 | 75 |
Wind and Waves and Surf #
Flat seas are ideal for beach diving and boat diving. As the height of the waves increases, it becomes more difficult to get in and out of the water and the shallow beach areas become stirred up to the point you can not see underwater.
Diving Conditions #
| Wave Height | Beach Diving(Visibility) | Boat Diving(Entry and Exit) |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 foot | Ideal | Ideal |
| 1 to 3 feet | Good | Easy |
| 2 to 4 feet | Marginal | Easy |
| 3 to 5 feet | Poor | Challenging |
| 4 to 6 feet | Very Poor | Challenging |
| More than 6 feet | Not safe | Not Safe |
Current #
Current, or the strength and direction of the water you dive in, has a significant bearing on your diving safety and enjoyment.
Map of FloridaAs the Gulf Stream flows off shore to the North it sets up eddies or swirls of water on our dive sites. These eddies result in the current going light, medium, or strong, to the North or to the South. All combinations e.g. light/North, strong/South, etc. are possible. And, of all the ocean conditions, current is the most changeable e.g. it is not unusual for the current to change strength or direction during a single dive!
Because of our currents, the most popular form of boat diving in our area is drift diving. Just "go with the flow" and when you surface the boat is there waiting for you. Cool!
Visibility #
Visibility is defined in terms of how far you can see horizontally underwater. 30 to 80 feet is typical for our area. The better the visibility, the more you can see and the easier it is to keep track of the other divers you are with.