Baltimore diving - aquarium or open water?

[Crush]

I hope this is the right place to post.

If one was to travel to Baltimore in June, is there any good diving in the area? My searches keep turning up the National Aquarium dives and not much else. Comments or suggestions, anyone?

 

[Rand]

You might want to post this question in the Mid Atlantic Bottom Feeders forum because Maryland is considered Southeast US. I'll try to help you as best I can.

For local diving around here, you pretty much are limited to either quarries or ocean boat dives out of Ocean City Maryland.

My local dive shop, Brass Anchor Scuba has this info on their site that pretty much covers the local options: http://www.brassanchor.com/divewher.htm

Also, here's another operation. I haven't been out with this operation, but have seen them advertise on Scubaboard. Dive Ocean City | Ocean City Diving | Maryland SCUBA Charters | Dive OC | Wreck Diving, charter boat, Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, dive boat, OC Diver

I would suggest diving out of Ocean City. The Aquarium dives are two 30 min. dives for $325. The OC boat dives are $80-120 for two tanks. Unless the viz or cooler temperature is a concern, I would go for OC.

The only other concern is travel distance/time. You would be looking at 2hrs 45 min minimum each way going from Baltimore to OC. June is vacation season and there are often long backups on the bridge heading into/out of OC. Depending on what time you are traveling and day of week, your travel time could be increased significantly.

For me, local diving around here is limited to training and working with students. And we go to the quarries for that. When I dive for fun, I head down to Moorhead City, NC or jump on a plane somewhere.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

 

[Crush]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't feel much like driving 3+ hours each way...

 

[Skarn]

Actually, I live in Pasadena which is just about 10 minutes away from the Baltimore city line and I make it to Ocean City in about 2 hours....but on a weekend with traffic, it can take MUCH longer.

For closer dives, Bainbridge quarry is where a lot of locals go...it's only about 45 minutes from Baltimore. There are other quarry's as mentioned as well.

I haven't found much like finding people that dive the bay anymore, but I do plan on diving in OC a few times this year. From what I hear, the wrecks are worth it. Plus it's a decent place to hang out.

Good luck,
Skarn

 

[banessi]

You might want to post this question in the Mid Atlantic Bottom Feeders forum because Maryland is considered Southeast US. I'll try to help you as best I can..

First, just to clear the air, Maryland is, was, and always will be considered the Mid Atlantic. Would post links but I can't yet.

Second, as others have indicated, Ocean City really is the only true good dive around here. That said, we have done the aquarium dive in Baltimore and, although expensive (I think it was close to $300), we felt it was worth it. First, you get a speciality (if you're a collector or working towards your Master Diver status you might like that). Second, it was a very unique experience. They provide (and insist on) all the gear so it would be good for somebody who is traveling. You do have to do a hour + brief in advance an interacting with stuff so that is to be considered.

You do two dives, one in a shallow (6 feet or so) ray tank filled with rays, a turtle, a nurse shark, and some other critters. During this dive you get to wave at all the kids staring at you through the glass and they get all excited (that was cute). Second you dive in a 15-20 foot circular tropical tank with all kind of small fish and a few morays. The fish love to have you dump rocks and they swim through them. Also unique.

If you do chose to do it, when we did it we had to book way early. It was run, and I think still is, by Atlantic Edge her in Maryland.

 

[divingtpapa]

I volunteered as a SCUBA diver at the National Aquarium in Baltimore for 5 years. Although the cost is steep, you can always count on warm clear water, playful cownose stingrays, rough tail rays, a zebra shark, and lots of animals in the Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit.