The dive operators in the Pompano Beach area have a unique arrangement. They all contract out to the same boats that go out from the Atlantic Avenue pier, so you can rent a spot on most any boat at any dive shop.
We chose Fill Express because after careful research, I had found Fill Express'' owner Mark to be so enthusiastic about his classes. He was perfect for teaching this physics-challenged gal a course in Nitrox. "No one fails my course" was his declaration, and then he spent 45 minutes explaining over the phone in detail why that is.
And pass, we did, although I required several hours of tutelage. He never lost his patience with me, and got me reasonably operational in the physics aspect of Enriched Air Nitrox. After passing our written test, he booked us onto the boat ScubaTyme for our two certification dives on 40% Nitrox.
Well, we never suspected the diving could be so fabulous there! Our first dive was on the wreck of the Sea Emperor. Now, understand that my husband and I are not fond of wreck dives. This one was also a snore, but we did see some remarkable things. One was a behemoth free-swimming, chartreuse green moray (seeing them free-swimming is very unusual. They like to take up residence in holes or small caves and never come out!) and a free-swimming stingray that swam in and out of between the two of us.
The next was a reef dive and was populated by an abundance of the usual tropical suspects, plus a nice size reef shark. We saw a nudibranch and a juvenile spotted drum. The corals are in excellent shape, and very colorful.
Two days later, we again chartered a spot on the Scubatyme and they were going to a wreck, which we didn''t want. So they dropped us off all by ourselves onto the reef with a dive buoy. We had a superb dive exploring the lush reef once again and saw abundant marine life. Also encountered a remora, and at the end of the dive, found out where he came from. A HUGE bull shark swam about 8'' beneath us while we were on the surface! The boat drove up to pick us up after about three minutes on the surface, fortunately. Bull sharks are one of the most aggressive and unpredictable of all shark species, so he had spent the time in the surface with his mask in the water, watching in case the shark returned.
The crew is cordial, helps set up your gear. There are plenty of sodas and juices in the cooler, plus crackers and pineapple.
The boat has a full marine head and back platform, plus plenty of shade. The next time in the area, we will definitely charter Scubatyme through Fill Express once again.