sick of the lakes and rivers

[andyhu]

Alright, so far in the past year i have visted a lot of sites in texas and really enjoted myself diving, but i want to go somewhere else, preferable the ocean, any ocean. It will be my first non freshwater dive, and money and time are always a concern but what are everyones suggestions for a great first time saltwater dive site.
thanks
andy

 

[Tom]

Cozumel - should be easy to get to from Texas. One of the better dives around. Natasha should be able to set you up.

Tom
That's where I'd go.

 

[andyhu]

thanks for the sugestion, and sorry that went up as another post!
also, what is a good price and are there any places to avoid?
thanks again,
andy

 

[herman]

Hi Andy,

The Florida Keys are another good option, my preference is the upper Keys, around Largo. You can get some cheap air fare some times and there are a lot of good dive operators there. But if you really want to go to a place that will spoil you, try Bonaire. Best shore diving in the world and great people, can't wait to get back.

 

[diverguy]

Originally posted by andyhu
thanks for the sugestion, and sorry that went up as another post!
also, what is a good price and are there any places to avoid?
thanks again,
andy

I went to Cozumel two weeks ago - got a good deal at http://www.worryfreevacations.com . I paid $325 for air+hotel (Casa Del Mar) and then another $110 for diving at Dive w. Martin (http://www.cozumel-diving.net/martin/). I'm in Dallas, btw. They have good deals now when it's low season and the rainy season. The weather report said showers and high 60's at night, but we had sunny w. a few clouds and > 70 at night. Perfect weather! Tripreport on my website.

/Mike
http://www.diverguy.com

 

[diverguy]

Originally posted by herman
Hi Andy,

The Florida Keys are another good option, my preference is the upper Keys, around Largo. You can get some cheap air fare some times and there are a lot of good dive operators there. But if you really want to go to a place that will spoil you, try Bonaire. Best shore diving in the world and great people, can't wait to get back.

A very good option! I have had some great dives in Key Largo. It's normally shallow diving unless you dive the wrecks (Duanne, Bibbs...) but I do video and I get great light then! The vis. is not as good as Cozumel, but it's still good. Check out some pictures I grabbed from my last video at: http://www.diverguy.com/miscscuba/miscscuba_f.htm (scroll down to the bottom). The UW pictures are frame grabbs taken directly from my video.
I have flown in to Miami Saturday morning, dived the same afternoon, dived Sunday morning, spent the afternoon/evening in South Beach and then flown back early Monday morning and gone directly to work from the airport. Didn't need to take any vacation time. American normally has netsaavers to Miami for $200 now in the low season. That's the best price I have seen to Miami. Otherwise you can sometime find it for $240.

I have dove with Quiescence, http://www.keylargodiving.com/ and can recommend them. They have small boats w. 6 people or less and they get you to the reef, give a fairly good dive briefing and then tell you to be back in an hour and have a good dive. A very relaxed diveshop - just the way I like it. Since it's only 20-30 feet you still come back with half a tank, but I believe they want to get back for the afternoon trips.

/Mike
http://www.diverguy.com

 

[TexasMike]

Another good choice for Texans is the Flower gardens. You can usually book a 2-day 9 dive trip for about $350. The only downside is that you must travel to Freeport to meet with the boat ( http://www.rinnboats.com ) and bring your own equipment.

Other than that, the diving is very very good, the crew very professional, the food good and plentiful, and lots of sea creatures (we saw a whale shark!!). Night and oil rig dives are also included.

I recently returned from the Flower Gardens (Still working on my trip report) aboard the M/V Spree. Capt. Frank and Divemaster Melanie made the trip lots fun and a definite for me to return to.

Cozumel is also a good suggestion if you desire to travel outside of the country and want to try out drift diving.

Which ever blue water trip you do, be sure to outfit yourself with the appropriate signaling equipment in case you get separated from the boat (such as a safety sausage, singal mirror, whistle, etc).

 

[TexasMike]

I should mention that the Flower Gardens should be considered something of an intermediate dive since the depth averages 80 fsw, and there are typically currents up to 2 to 3 knots.

While I was there, the current was fairly negliable, but still present, so if you weren't paying attention to your navigation, finding the anchor line became a fun (sarcastically speaking) excercise.

Comfort and familiarity with your gear is a must as are good nav skills. I would advise 20 dives in your log (along with doing a deep dive with an instructor, such as the PADI/NAUI Advanced Diving course) before taking this one on.

 

[greg somers]

Well slap my hand and call me a watermelon....
I thought that Texas was the centre of the universe and had everything.....Well it is nice to know that some of us unfortunates have something of our own.....lol
Cheers Not living next to the ocean ears,
The Gasman

 

[TexasMike]

<<WHACK!>> You're a watermelon...want some salt with that? or vodka? (spiked watermelon...yum!)

Actually, we have to share it with Lowsy-ana and Me-hee-ko.

But the diving's pretty cool...once I finish my dive report on the Flower Gardens (thing's turning out to be a bloody novel, and I'm slowly packing for a move to new digs) I will post a link here. Photos on the way too.