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Scuba Diving Tours · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
Guided scuba diving tours — reef, wrecks, nights & beyond
From the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea coral reef to Pompano boat dives, local wrecks, night dives, and seasonal lobster hunts — Gold Coast Scuba runs guided scuba tours for all certified divers. Small groups, expert guides, and one of Florida's most accessible reefs just minutes from our shop.
PADI-certified guides
Small groups
All experience levels welcome
Equipment rentals available
Eco-friendly operations
Open Water certification required for all scuba diving tours. Bring your C-card on the day.
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Check available dates
Tours run on scheduled dates — see live availability on our events calendar
Where will you dive? South Florida dive sites at a glance
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LBTS Coral Reef
Walk from the shop
Shore diving on a vibrant coral reef — accessible, diverse marine life, excellent for all cert levels
15–30 ft
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Pompano Beach
~10 min drive
Boat dives to reefs, ledges and occasional wrecks. Multiple depth profiles available
40–80 ft
🛳️
Bahia Mar, Ft. Laud.
~15 min drive
Offshore reef and wreck boat dives from iconic Bahia Mar marina
50–90 ft
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Key Largo
~1.5 hr drive
Florida's premier reef diving — John Pennekamp, Molasses Reef, Christ of the Abyss
20–60 ft
⭐ SIGNATURE TOUR — MOST POPULAR · STEPS FROM THE SHOP
LBTS CORAL REEF · GUIDED
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Guided Scuba Diving Tour
Guided Scuba Diving Tour — Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Our flagship scuba experience — a guided dive on the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea coral reef with a PADI divemaster or instructor leading every group. The LBTS reef is one of South Florida's most accessible dive sites, sitting just minutes from our shop. Encounters with sea turtles, nurse sharks, moray eels, and colorful reef fish are common. Suitable for all certified divers, from newly certified Open Water graduates to experienced divers looking for a guided local dive.
What's included
- PADI divemaster or instructor guide
- Small group — personalised dive
- PADI instructor supervision throughout
- Pre-dive reef and conditions briefing
- Marine life identification guidance
- Rental gear available separately
Open Water cert required
2–3 hours
Eco-friendly · reef-safe
15–30 ft depth
Small groups
From
$229.99
Live price from Shopify
📅 Tours run on scheduled dates. Always check the live events calendar to see available slots before booking — some tours run multiple times per week, others are scheduled on request.
Open water boat dives — 3 departure locations
Join a boat diving charter from Pompano, Fort Lauderdale Bahia Mar, or Key Largo. All boat dives include a certified guide and access to offshore reefs and sites not reachable from shore.
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10 MIN AWAY
BOAT DIVE · POMPANO BEACH
Open Water Boat Dive — Pompano
Join a structured boat dive departing Pompano Beach. Access reefs, ledges, and occasional wrecks not reachable from shore. Multiple depth profiles — suitable for all certified divers. Single or double tank options available.
OW cert required
Half day
40–80 ft
From
$100
⛵
FT. LAUDERDALE
BOAT DIVE · BAHIA MAR MARINA
Open Water Boat Dive — Bahia Mar
Departing from the iconic Bahia Mar Marina in Fort Lauderdale. Access offshore reef systems and deeper sites with GCS-guided boat diving. Great for divers wanting deeper profiles or a different reef system from LBTS.
OW cert required
Half day
50–90 ft
From
$100
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1.5 HR DRIVE
BOAT DIVE · KEY LARGO
Open Water Boat Dive — Key Largo
A day trip to Key Largo's legendary reef system — Florida's most celebrated diving destination. Molasses Reef, John Pennekamp State Park, and the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue. Guided by GCS throughout.
OW cert required
Full day
20–60 ft
From
$100
🚢 WRECK DIVING — GUIDED · SOUTH FLORIDA SHIPWRECKS
$349.99 PER PERSON
Copenhagen
Okinawa
Mercedes I
Guided Wreck Diving Tour · Professional Guide
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Dive Our Local Wrecks with a Professional Guide
Copenhagen
Freighter · 110 ft · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea · Famous for goliath grouper
Okinawa
Barge · 70 ft · Pompano Beach · Coral encrusted, abundant fish life
Mercedes I
Freighter · 90 ft · Fort Lauderdale · Schools of fish, moray eels
Other wrecks
Site selection based on conditions and group experience level
South Florida's wrecks are some of the most accessible and richly populated in the Atlantic — teeming with goliath grouper, schooling fish, and encrusted coral growth. Our guides have logged hundreds of dives on these sites and know every hull, passageway, and resident creature. This is not a casual reef dive — wreck diving requires situational awareness and good buoyancy, and is best suited to divers with some post-certification experience.
OW cert required
70–110 ft
Half–full day
Best for experienced divers
Per person
$349.99
Night Diving · Pompano Beach · PADI-Guided
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Open Water Boat Night Dive — Pompano
The reef transforms completely after dark. Creatures that hide during the day emerge at night — octopus hunting across the sand, lobster picking their way across the reef, bioluminescent organisms drifting in the water column. Our divemasters guide small groups through the darkness, ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience. Night diving is legal for all Open Water certified divers though experience is recommended — the more comfortable you are with your buoyancy and gear, the more you'll enjoy it.
🐙 Octopus
🦞 Lobster
🦈 Nurse sharks
✨ Bioluminescence
🐡 Sleeping fish
🦀 Crabs & shrimp
OW cert required
70–110 ft
Half–full day
Best for experienced divers
Per person
$100
🦞 FLORIDA LOBSTER SEASON · AUGUST THROUGH MARCH
SEASONAL TOUR
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Guided Lobster Hunt · Open Water Boat Dive
Lobster Hunt — Open Water Boat Dive
Florida's spiny lobster season runs from August through the end of March, making it one of the longest-running dive seasons in the state. Our guided lobster hunt dives take certified divers to the best local lobster grounds — rocky ledges, reef overhangs, and sandy patches where lobster tuck themselves during the day. Our guides know the spots, know the legal limits, and make sure every diver has a productive and safe dive. All bags, tickle sticks, and measuring gauges provided.
Florida spiny lobster season: August 6 – March 31. Mini-season runs the last Wednesday and Thursday of July — book early, spots fill fast. FWC regulations →
OW cert required
Aug – Mar only
Half day
All equipment provided
Why Dive With Us
Tours Should Feel Simple
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Wide Choice of Experiences
Scuba, tankless, and snorkeling-style tours with booking options shown on this page.
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Guided or Ticket-Only Flexibility
Boat tickets are scheduled with third-party operators. If you want a GCS Instructor or Divemaster in the water, book the guided tour option.
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Shore Diving Home Base
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea with reef access close to the beach, plus clear entry-point guidance on the local reef guide.
Not sure which course to take? Use the comparison table below, or call us — our instructors will point you in the right direction based on your goals and schedule.
Local Dive Sites
South Florida is not one "site." It is a menu. The right choice depends on your depth comfort, swim effort, and whether you want guided structure or independent exploration.
| Zone | Depth | Conditions | Marine Life | Difficulty | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shipwreck Snorkel Trail | 8–10 ft | Visibility can be strong on calm days. Check daily conditions before you go. | Reef fish and trail-style points of interest. | Easy | Shallow, accessible, great for snorkelers and first-time ocean comfort. |
| First Reef Line | 12–20 ft | Comfortable depth range for longer dive time when conditions are calm. | Coral heads and active reef life close to shore. | Easy to Moderate | An approachable Open Water profile with real reef scenery close to the beach. |
| Second Reef Line | 30–50 ft | Longer swim effort. Conditions matter more. | Deeper reef structure and broader exploration. | Advanced | A step-up option once your comfort, navigation, and conditioning are solid. |
Safety note: Florida requires a dive flag. If you need one, we can help you get set up at the shop before you gear up and enter.
Before You Book
Requirements for Most Scuba Tours
Most scuba tour options require a current certification and completed paperwork before you arrive. Review these requirements early so your booking and check-in go smoothly.
- Certification: Required for most scuba options.
- Waivers: Complete required waivers before arrival.
- Medical Questionnaire: Some answers may require physician clearance before you participate.
- Recent Experience: If you have not dived recently, a refresher is recommended before deeper, wreck, or night dives.
Not Certified Yet?
Start with PADI Training
If you are not certified yet, start with PADI Training and Certifications in Fort Lauderdale, and we will map the safest progression into guided dives.
Daily Boat Charters
Boat diving is for divers who want more variety in one day — reefs, wrecks, and deeper options, without a long surface swim. Gold Coast Scuba offers boat ticket options for Fort Lauderdale and Pompano, and also offers boat dive options in Key Largo.
| Option | Best For | What It Is | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Ticket (Reefs & Wrecks) | Certified divers who want local boat access | A boat ticket scheduled with a third-party operator | Weather dependent. Minimum participants required. Allow a 12–24-hour window for booking confirmation. |
| Boat Night Dive | Divers who want night conditions and a different ocean vibe | A night dive booking option via the boat ticket system | Same scheduling rules apply. If you want a Gold Coast Scuba pro in the water with you, book the guided tour. |
| Key Largo Boat Dive | Divers planning a Key Largo day | A Key Largo boat ticket option | Boat dive locations vary. Same confirmation window guidance applies. |
Paperwork
Usually Included
Waiver links and instructions
You Bring
Completed waivers. Certification card, if applicable. Any requested documentation.
Gear
Usually Included
Ticket variants may include tanks, Nitrox tanks, scuba gear, or snorkel gear depending on what you select
You Bring
Personal-fit items, if you have them — especially a mask for comfort and seal.
Scheduling
Usually Included
Booking confirmation after the stated window
You Bring
Flexibility for weather and operator minimums.
What to bring on your dive
Always required
- PADI C-card (or equivalent cert card)
- Dive logbook (recommended)
- Swimsuit or dive skin under wetsuit
- Towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Water and snacks for boat dives
Your own gear (or rent from us)
- Mask & fins
- BCD & regulator
- Wetsuit (3mm recommended for FL)
- Dive computer
- SMB / surface marker buoy
- Underwater torch for night dives
Lobster hunts only
- All lobster equipment provided
- Gloves strongly recommended
- No spearfishing equipment
- No egg-bearing lobster may be taken
- Florida saltwater fishing license required (buy online)
🤿 Not yet certified? You don't need a certification to experience the reef with us. Try a snorkeling tour, underwater scooter tour, or Discover Scuba Diving experience — all open to complete beginners. Or get your PADI Open Water certification with us and be diving independently within 3–4 days.
Scuba diving tour FAQs
Which certification agencies do you accept?
We accept certifications from all major agencies — PADI, NAUI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC, and others. If your cert is recognised internationally, it's recognised by us. Bring your card.
How do I know which tour matches my experience level?
The LBTS guided tour is perfect for all cert levels including newly certified divers. Wreck dives and night dives are better suited to divers with 20+ logged dives. Call us at (954) 616-5909 and we'll match you to the right tour.
Can I rent gear from you for the tour?
Yes — full rental gear is available at the shop. BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, tanks, and computers. Book rentals in advance during peak season to guarantee availability.
What happens if conditions are bad on my dive day?
Safety always comes first. If conditions are unsafe, we'll contact you in advance and work with you to reschedule. We do not run tours in poor conditions — our guides check NOAA forecasts and local conditions daily.
Do I need a fishing license for lobster hunt dives?
Yes — a Florida saltwater fishing license is required if you intend to keep lobster. You can purchase one online at myfwc.com before your dive. Our guides will brief you on all FWC regulations including size limits and egg-bearing rules.
Are your tours eco-friendly?
Yes. GCS is a BleachWatch certified monitoring center and all our guides follow reef-safe diving practices — no touching, no collecting, no anchoring on coral. We actively participate in South Florida coral reef conservation programs.
WAIVER REMINDER
Before your first session — complete your PADI medical questionnaire and liability waiver.
Takes 5 minutes. Do it before you arrive.