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Scuba Month at Ocean Fest '99Diving Fort Lauderdale
"Each year, Scuba Month becomes more and more popular as Greater Fort Lauderdale's reputation as one of the great dive destinations in the Americas continues to spread around the world," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "This is an occasion that goes far beyond promoting a great sport; it makes diving, and the unique opportunities here in Greater Fort Lauderdale, accessible to thousands of people who have never tried it and provides a memorable, rewarding experience to all divers, no matter how experienced." Highlighting Scuba Month is Ocean Fest '99, an event featuring over 200 dive related exhibits, introductory classes on scuba and snorkeling, a Reef Clean Up, Treasure Hunt, music, food and over $25,000 in prizes. Scheduled for September 17-19 in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Ocean Fest was recently named one of Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events for September 1999. Now in its third year, Ocean Fest '99 will conclude with a "Celebration of the Oceans" featuring world-renowned oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau. Special seminars such as coral and reef identification, snorkeling, underwater photography, technical diving and dive equipment repair will also be offered. One day admission is $5 with weekend passes available for $10. A portion of the proceeds from Ocean Fest '99 will benefit the Ocean Watch Foundation and other environmental organizations.
Unbeatable scuba packages are offered year around by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau making Scuba Month's many events including Ocean Fest '99 extremely easy to attend. Varying per hotel, the packages may include diving instruction, multiple dives and meals in addition to accommodations. For more information about Greater Fort Lauderdale's Scuba Month and for free copies of the destination's Superior Small Lodging guide and all-inclusive Vacation Planner, contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1850 Eller Drive, Suite 303, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. Toll-free telephone and immediate fax information as well as reservations for scuba packages are available at 800-22-SUNNY (U.S. and Canada), or visit the website at www.sunny.org . Ft. Lauderdale Dive Association is www.diveftlauderdale.com Photos courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Edited by Dave Shultz |
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Greater Fort Lauderdale's annual Scuba Month
keeps getting bigger and better attracting experienced and novice divers from around the world. During September, the official "Scuba Month,"
Greater Fort Lauderdale will feature endless activities, award-winning events such as Ocean Fest '99 and limitless diving. One of America's
premier diving spots, according to Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine, the destination boasts more than 80 artificial reefs complementing a
world-renowned three-tiered natural coral reef system that parallels 23 miles of perfect beach.
It is not surprising that Ocean Fest and Scuba Month have caught on.
Greater Fort Lauderdale was recently named among the top five destinations for Best Wreck Diving, Best Advanced Diving, Best Topside Attractions and
Best Overall Value in North America by the 6,000 readers of Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine. They also named it as one of the Top 10 Best Dive
Destinations in North America. Among the destination's diving attractions are sunken freighters and airplanes in crystal clear waters up to 200 feet
and the ancient living coral formations, up to two miles wide, that run the length of Greater Fort Lauderdale's beaches.