10 Best Dive Charters and Dive Shops in Fort Lauderdale (Updated 2022)

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Great for: Beginner divers and those looking to get scuba certified.

*Conflict of Interest Alert* Admittedly, I worked for Sea Experience for years. But, maybe, just maybe, that’s why it’s such a great operation.

Totally kidding. Sort of.

But seriously, they run a great operation that highly focuses on newbie divers and those seeking a little fun on their South Florida vacation.

The instructors are great, the captains are equally as wonderful, and the operation is safe and smooth. Don’t hesitate to book a dive or snorkel trip with them!

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Great for: advanced-level divers seeking a dive charter in Fort Lauderdale.

The American Dream II is a highly professional operation focusing on safety above all else.

Their track record speaks for themselves with decades of incident-free diving. Experienced divers will take a liking to the operation as they visit the wrecks and reefs in Fort Lauderdale.

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Great for: affordable open water dive instruction.

Another option for those seeking instruction in becoming a scuba diver is Pineapple Scuba.

Somehow, they offer the most affordable open water diving course in South Florida with a mix of beach and boat dives for a well-rounded experience.

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Great for: Dive retail and hard-to-find scuba diving accessories.

Just up the road in Dania Beach is Divers Direct, an emporium for scuba divers, snorkelers, and freedivers.

They have the best selection of dive equipment compared to anywhere else in Florida. The store is huge, yet wildly dangerous for your wallet – you will be leaving with a new piece of equipment you never knew you needed.

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Great for: high-end spearfishing and freediving equipment.

Since its inception in 2003, Headhunter Spearfishing has quickly become the top retailer for spearfishing and freediving equipment in the world.

Their brand focuses on uniquely designed polespears that live up to the billing. Specifically, the Nomad Polespear is revolutionary in the spearfishing game.

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Great for: group dives and beach snorkeling guides.

Gold Coast Scuba is one of two dive shops in the town center of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (the beach diving capital of the US).

Their shop has a great following as they coordinate group dives right off the beach, dives up in Pompano Beach, and even internationally.

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Great for: specialty items and yacht outfitting

Lauderdale Diver is one of the oldest and most reputable dive shops in Fort Lauderdale.

They’re near the cruise port and airport, so if you’re passing through town before you depart towards the Caribbean, I recommend stopping in here for any last-minute items!

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Great for: personalized dive instruction and retail gear

Scuba Network has been a staple of South Florida’s diving community for years. Their location in Fort Lauderdale, specifically, specializes in fantastic personalized dive instruction while keeping well-stocked shelves of the latest dive gear in the game.

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Great for: beach diving needs in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Deep Blue Divers is the closest dive shop to the beach diving launch point of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. They have dive flag rentals, tank rentals, or any other last-minute gear items you might need before exploring the coral reef just off the shore.

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Great for: yacht outfitting and specialty gear

Brownies have been specializing in outfitting boats and yachts with dive gear for years. Their famous third-lung, tankless dive system is THE premier diving hookah on the market and the top pick diving aboard megayachts departing from Fort Lauderdale.