As I adjusted my mask and sunk beneath the Atlantic’s emerald green waters, I suddenly knew why Southeast Florida has made a name for itself within the diving community — the numerous wrecks, amazing visibility and proximity of its dive sites make it a top dive destination among divers of all skill levels.

Some of the state’s best wreck diving is just hundreds of yards off Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea; in fact, the area was christened the Shore Dive Capital of South Florida in 1997 by the Broward County Commission. Say goodbye to those two-hour boat rides and jump into your wetsuit, because you’ll be blowing bubbles before you can blink.

As soon as our group arrived at South Florida Diving Headquarters, a dive shop located conveniently on the Intracoastal Waterway with over 15 years of experience, I could sense the energy. Two spacious, 45-foot power catamarans were docked just 20 feet from the shop, and a smaller 34-foot dive boat completed their fleet. The dive crew was all smiles as they loaded our gear onto the Aqua View — our ride for the day — and kept us from lifting anything, reminding us that we were here to “just chill” and enjoy the diving.

It was a calm day on the water as we headed out of the harbor: sunny, humid and hot (a typical Florida summer day, as I soon found out.) Because it only took 30 minutes to get to our first dive site, Divemaster Dave Heaney began the dive briefing before we were even out of the harbor!

We were diving the “Aqua Zoo,” a South Florida wreck dive site. The Sea Emperor, a hopper barge formerly used for mitigation and filled with concrete culverts, was purposefully sunk to create an artificial reef. When the barge sank, it flipped and the culverts spilled out all around it, creating a playground for marine life. Its nickname comes from the diversity and size of the marine life that inhabits the wreck and the culverts.

As we descended to 70 feet, I was mesmerized by the dozens of massive concrete tubes-turned-reefs — peering inside each one was suspenseful and satisfying. Large southern rays glided by on the outskirts, and as I made my way across the wreck, I saw a group of nurse sharks nestled on the ocean floor. Everywhere I turned, dozens and dozens of fish caught my eye. I would be coming back to dive this remarkable wreck again.

After a surface interval, complete with freshly sliced pineapple, we moved to our next site: a shallow reef known for its soft corals and vast array of sea life. Schools of yellow-striped grunts gathered around purple sea fans, making quite a picturesque underwater scene. A gentle current floated us along, and I found myself having to fin only occasionally.

I slowed down to check out the macro life, and was rewarded for doing so — banded shrimp perched within their hiding places waved their antennae at me, and upon closer investigation, a patch of sand revealed a cleverly disguised spotted flounder.

On the short ride back, I talked with Jim “Chiefy” Mathie, who had accompanied us on the dives in hopes of bagging a few bugs during mini season. Florida’s mini lobster season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July; 2015 dates are July 29-30.

A veteran lobster hunter with over 25 years of experience — with his own company and two published books to boot — Mathie knows this area well.

Diving in the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area “is very good for open water divers. It’s easy, a lot of beach — people go right off the beach to go diving,” Mathie said. “Right here, literally 500 feet off shore, you’re in 15-25 feet of water. It’s beautiful stuff.”

According to Mathie, Ft. Lauderdale’s reef tract is the third largest reef tract in the world.

“We’re kind of in the middle, and what’s cool, if you see a reef tract map, everything’s right here, right off the coast. That’s not the case for a lot of places,” Mathie revealed.

But the area holds its own for technical and more advanced divers as well. Since 1982, over 80 artificial reefs structures (including barges and boats) have been sunk off the coast, many in 70 feet of water or greater. Wreck penetration and technical diving is possible only a little farther off the coast.

If you’re looking for a dive site off the beaten track, Dave Heaney, local Floridian and divemaster, suggests Crab Cove, a section of the outer reef where the north and south ends curl to resemble crab claws, forming coves.

“Inside those coves are some of the best spots down here,” Heaney said.

The depth ranges from 45-67 feet. He also commented on the great quality of diving off of Hollywood Beach (south of Ft. Lauderdale) as well as Dania Beach.

As many divers know, a long day of diving means big appetites.

Blue Moon Fish Co., a chic waterfront restaurant located on the Intracoastal Waterway, serves fresh-caught seafood with a creative flair. Known as Fort Lauderdale’s “freshest seafood by the waterway,” Blue Moon promises a unique fine dining experience you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Twinkling lights on the Intracoastal provided a scenic backdrop for our exquisite dinner.

History buffs rejoice, because Cap’s Place Island Restaurant is just a boat ride away. Located on a small peninsula, this seemingly innocuous wooden shanty holds the prestigious title of being a national landmark and Florida’s oldest restaurant. Stepping through the weathered wooden doors was like taking a step back in time; not a board’s been changed in the restaurant that once hosted Franklin D. Roosevelt and Churchill during World War II. Amazing food and a unique atmosphere combine to make your time at Cap’s Place not just a meal, but a truly memorable experience.

Take a break from diving and experience what Flyboards South Florida has to offer. Flyboarding, the newest sport to hit the water, is simple: just strap into the boots and helmet, stand up on the board that doubles as a personal flotation device, and harness the power of a Jet Ski to propel you above the water’s surface. Let the pros at Flyboards South Florida show you how its done — but beware, it’s not as easy as they make it seem!

Paddleboarding and kayaking are also great ways to get some sun and relax on the emerald water of the Atlantic. We enjoyed our watersports under the iconic black and white Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. Book a tour with Flyboards South Florida and get a behind the scenes look at one of the oldest lighthouses on the Eastern coast. The stunning panoramic view makes the long climb up worth it.

The next morning, we woke up early to take advantage of the world-class shore diving. Gold Coast Scuba met us in the LBTS pavilion and set us up with a float, dive flag, and showed us where one of the best reef dives in the area is — right off Lauderdale-By-The-Sea’s beaches. Once again, I was met with colorful soft coral and schools of fish; a moray eel even poked its head out from its den to greet me.

After working up an appetite shore diving, we ate brunch at the Village Grill, a charming restaurant located within walking distance from most local hotels in the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea area. Choose between freshly caught seafood, steaks, crisp salads, sandwiches, and their tasty brunch menu — get the vanilla-cinnamon battered French toast with their hickory-smoked bacon.

The Greater Ft. Lauderdale area is a unique chance to experience Florida diving at its finest with short boat rides, tons of wrecks, a huge, healthy reef system and temperate, clear water. Accompanied by fantastic food and exciting topside experiences, you simply can’t go wrong in sunny Southeast Florida.

For more on the Great Ft. Lauderdale area, visit the website of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Visitors and Convention Bureau.

See more of Ft. Lauderdale featured in Sport Diver's 2014 World's Best Diving & Resorts: Ft. Lauderdale.