Nittany Divers Island Tour...

In the Florida Keys Winter / New Years Break

December 27th through January 2nd

Trip Organizer / Contact Person:

For questions or to sign up contact: Jon Leslie — e-mail him — 814-883-9152

Trip Description:

The trip fee is for six nights of camping in the Florida Keys and three, 2-tank SCUBA dives (that's size dives in all). Because these are boat dives, they are weather permiiting. Tanks and air will be provided for all six dives. The campground has a beach, pool, hot tub, showers, laundry, "entertainment", "restaurant", and a general store. There are various shops, stores, bars, and scenic places within easy driving distance of the campgrounds. Non-divers are always welcome!

Trip Costs and Conditions:

The cost of the trip is $200 for divers and $95 for non-divers, but subject to change due to booking issues.

Divers must provide certification card as proof of certificaton and a log book as proof of diving experience. There is a limit of 20 SCUBA divers on the trip and people will be signed up on a first pay, first served basis. For divers, a $100 deposit is required to reserve your position on the trip. Final payment is due AROUND THANKSGIVING TIME. Contact Jon for exact dates.

Organizational Meeting:

There will be an organizational meeting after the Thanksgiving Holiday in the HUB. This meeting is to go over all aspects of the trip, provide maps, allow individuals to arrange for car-pooling, and answer any questions. Please plan to attend.

Responsiblity:

The Nittany Divers Scuba Club, it's members, and the trip organizer act solely in the capacity of an agent for the participants with the expressed condition that it/they shall not become liable for any damage, loss, delay, injury, or accident due to any default on the part of any company or person engaged in providing transportation, lodging, or any other services which are part of the trip. The Nittany Divers Scuba Club and/or the trip organizer expressly reserve the right to withdraw the trip or make any changes that are deemed necessary.

Tentative Itinerary

December 26th: Leave Happy Valley for 24-28 hour drive to Sugarloaf Key.
December 27th: Arrive at Sugarloaf Key (Mile Marker 20), recieve welcome toast, setup camp, soak in hot tub or swimming pool, or swim/snorkel off the beach. GET WEIGHTED. We'll try to have a campfire social.
December 28th: Dive meeting at 10:30am at the campsite. Two afternoon dives with Underseas, Inc. in Looe Key Sanctuary's coral reefs. Underseas, Inc. is about 11 miles north of Sugarloaf KOA at Mile Marker (MM) 30.5. Their marina is at MM 28.5.
December 29th: Brief dive meeting at 8am at the campsite. A morning wreck dive followed by a shallower reef dive. Group dinner in early evening.
December 30th: Dive meeting at 4:30pm at the campsite. One twilight and one night dive with Underseas, Inc. in Looe Key Sanctuary. Cylum sticks will be provided for this dive. Lights are required and can be rented from Underseas, Inc. or the club.
December 31st: Kickback day for swimming, snorkeling, beach combing, scooters, shopping, and sightseeing, riding the wave runners, parasailing, etc. Duval Street on Key West is the place to be on New Years Eve. Meet in front of Sloppy Joe's at 5pm to regroup for sunset at Mallory Square.
Jaunuary 1st: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Another kickback/recovery day. Campfire social possible.
January 2nd: Pack up and head for Happy Valley. Campsites must be vacated by 11am, but you can still hit the beach, pool, hot tub, showers after packing up camp. Many trek to North Florida for an extra day or two to snorkel with manatees and/or dive Ginnie Springs.

Each participant is responsible for providing their own transportation, food, clothing, camping gear, SCUBA gear (except tanks), and any personal items they may need for the duration of the trip. Car/Vanpools will be arranged at the organizational meeting. A full wetsuit is recommended (including hood). For those who do not have their own equipment, it is recommended that they arrange to get such from the Nittany Divers before leaving for Winter break. Rental fees for gear in Florida will be much more expensive.

Return to the list of trips.


	Nittany Divers Island Tour... In the Florida Keys Winter / New Years Break December 27th through January 2nd Trip Organizer / Contact Person: For questions or to sign up contact: Jon Leslie — e-mail him — 814-883-9152 Trip Description: The trip fee is for six nights of camping in the Florida Keys and three, 2-tank SCUBA dives (that's size dives in all). Because these are boat dives, they are weather permiiting. Tanks and air will be provided for all six dives. The campground has a beach, pool, hot tub, showers, laundry, "entertainment", "restaurant", and a general store. There are various shops, stores, bars, and scenic places within easy driving distance of the campgrounds. Non-divers are always welcome! Trip Costs and Conditions: The cost of the trip is $200 for divers and $95 for non-divers, but subject to change due to booking issues. Divers must provide certification card as proof of certificaton and a log book as proof of diving experience. There is a limit of 20 SCUBA divers on the trip and people will be signed up on a first pay, first served basis. For divers, a $100 deposit is required to reserve your position on the trip. Final payment is due AROUND THANKSGIVING TIME. Contact Jon for exact dates. Organizational Meeting: There will be an organizational meeting after the Thanksgiving Holiday in the HUB. This meeting is to go over all aspects of the trip, provide maps, allow individuals to arrange for car-pooling, and answer any questions. Please plan to attend. Responsiblity: The Nittany Divers Scuba Club, it's members, and the trip organizer act solely in the capacity of an agent for the participants with the expressed condition that it/they shall not become liable for any damage, loss, delay, injury, or accident due to any default on the part of any company or person engaged in providing transportation, lodging, or any other services which are part of the trip. The Nittany Divers Scuba Club and/or the trip organizer expressly reserve the right to withdraw the trip or make any changes that are deemed necessary. Tentative Itinerary December 26th Leave Happy Valley for 24-28 hour drive to Sugarloaf Key. December 27th Arrive at Sugarloaf Key (Mile Marker 20), recieve welcome toast, setup camp, soak in hot tub or swimming pool, or swim/snorkel off the beach. GET WEIGHTED. We'll try to have a campfire social. December 28th Dive meeting at 10:30am at the campsite. Two afternoon dives with Underseas, Inc. in Looe Key Sanctuary's coral reefs. Underseas, Inc. is about 11 miles north of Sugarloaf KOA at Mile Marker (MM) 30.5. Their marina is at MM 28.5. December 29th Brief dive meeting at 8am at the campsite. A morning wreck dive followed by a shallower reef dive. Group dinner in early evening. December 30th Dive meeting at 4:30pm at the campsite. One twilight and one night dive with Underseas, Inc. in Looe Key Sanctuary. Cylum sticks will be provided for this dive. Lights are required and can be rented from Underseas, Inc. or the club. December 31st Kickback day for swimming, snorkeling, beach combing, scooters, shopping, and sightseeing, riding the wave runners, parasailing, etc. Duval Street on Key West is the place to be on New Years Eve. Meet in front of Sloppy Joe's at 5pm to regroup for sunset at Mallory Square. Jaunuary 1st HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Another kickback/recovery day. Campfire social possible. January 2nd Pack up and head for Happy Valley. Campsites must be vacated by 11am, but you can still hit the beach, pool, hot tub, showers after packing up camp. Many trek to North Florida for an extra day or two to snorkel with manatees and/or dive Ginnie Springs. Each participant is responsible for providing their own transportation, food, clothing, camping gear, SCUBA gear (except tanks), and any personal items they may need for the duration of the trip. Car/Vanpools will be arranged at the organizational meeting. A full wetsuit is recommended (including hood). For those who do not have their own equipment, it is recommended that they arrange to get such from the Nittany Divers before leaving for Winter break. Rental fees for gear in Florida will be much more expensive. Return to the list of trips.