Recommended Dive Charters (Venice, FL)
Aquanutz is my go-to charter choice for fossil diving in Venice. Now, I may be biased since I worked with Captain Mike for several years, but in my opinion he is one of the best in the game. Aquanutz is a full service dive charter and will take care of everything for you throughout the day for you 3-tank trip on their 26 ft. World Cat. Tanks, weights, fossil bags, and snacks are included. Rental gear is available upon request. The captain and crew setup up your gear when you arrive, change it over in between dives, and break it down for you at the end of the day so you can just spend your time admiring your fossils.
If you are new to fossil diving, you’re in luck. Either on the way out or at the dock in the morning you will get an interactive fossil lesson complete with hunting tips from the crew and when you get to the dive site, Captain Mike will give you details on the specifics and draw you a map of the area. They also don’t limit your bottom time.
Captain Mike has a true interest in fossil diving and has thousands of dives in area. He is able to identify most finds and has a copy of the Vertebrate fossils: A Neophyte’s Guide on board for those more obscure finds.
The only downside to Aquanutz is that they tend to book up far in advance so you have to be quick to book. Luckily, cancelations occasionally come up that give you a chance of getting on last minute. The preferred booking method for this charter is to text Captain Mike at 941-961-2235.
Fun Fact: the Aquanutz logo and t-shirt were designed by me!
Top 2 Bottom Charters
My other go-to charter in Venice is Top 2 Bottom. Captain Dustin and Captain Joe run a great operation on a 32 ft. Boston Whaler. It’s another full service 3-tank dive charter that sets up your gear in the morning, changes it between dives, and breaks it down for you at the end of the day. Tanks, weights and fossil bags are provided, and rental gear is available upon request.
Captain Dustin is a fossil hunter at heart. He was born and raised here in Venice and has been diving for teeth since he was young. He or his crew will give a fossil lesson for new hunters on the way out to the site in the morning to help with identifying the different fossils you might find and to help you while you're underwater hunting.
The preferred booking method for this charter is to text Captain Dustin at 941-525-8744.
Fossil Junkies
Fossil Junkies is run by the husband-and-wife team Captain John and Captain Carrie. They offer a 3-tank dive on their 26.6 ft. Sea Fox and don't limit bottom time. Tanks, weights, fossil bags, and snacks are included, and rental gear is available upon request.
What’s unique about this duo is that in addition to their Venice charters, they also run fossil hunting charters on the Peace River, both for sifting and for diving.
Though I haven’t personally dove with them yet, I am looking forward to doing so in the future and hear nothing but positive feedback from their customers.
Venice Dive Charters
Venice Dive Charter is an excellent option for larger groups, new divers, or those who wish to dive with a divemaster. Tanks, water and snacks are provided on this 2-tank dive, though you can buy or rent anything else you may need the day before your trip at their shop, Venice Dive Center (VDC), located about a half mile north of the boat.
For an extra fee, a dedicated divemaster is available to spend the day assisting you both on the boat and as your buddy in the water.
In addition non-certified divers can book their open water dive class through VDC. As long as the conditions allow, one of the check out dives for the class will even be a fossil dive.
The preferred booking method for this charter is to call the shop at 941-497-4985.
