Best dive location for July???

[hank harris]

Wanting to go somewhere for a week in July without having to spend a lot of $$$. Liveaboard or land based.

Seems like a tough time of year to find quality conditions... so far I'm leaning toward Coz, all things considered, but having spent many years diving the Carib, would prefer something different.

Would love to try Sea of Cortez and the whale sharks, but the 120 temps and (I'm told) less than stellar vis makes that a trip to do in the winter.

Also a dream destination is Cocos/Costa Rica, but I'm reading that this is also not a good time to try that rather expensive option. Ditto with the Galapagos. Though both are more $ than I can budget when airfare is factored in.

So any other suggestions in the Pacific or South Pacific (other than Hawaii)? Or are there other options I should consider?

many thanks for any help you can give!
hank

 

[El Orans]

How about joining us in the Keys?

 

[pigletfish]

Why not Hawaii? Have you "been there, done that"? Most other Asia-Pacific destinations are going to be pretty pricey and a long slog for just a week. Perhaps French Polynesia? I haven't been there myself, but I've heard good things...

 

[hank harris]

That's about it, pigletfish. I used to live there. And I agree about the $$$ on lots of other south pacific options. Just hoping someone might have an idea for good diving that time of year that I haven't considered.

And El, thanks for the invite.

 

[OceanGrl]

if you're looking for something a little different....the virgin islands have great warm water diving in july. Consider chartering a sail or power boat that will take you on dives where you are the only people on the reef or wreck. MSg me if you need more info on it....I am an instructor on an all inclusive charter boat.

 

[riguerin]

Wanting to go somewhere for a week in July without having to spend a lot of $$$. Liveaboard or land based.

Would love to try Sea of Cortez and the whale sharks, but the 120 temps and (I'm told) less than stellar vis makes that a trip to do in the winter.

I wouldn't totally exclude the Sea of Cortez as an option. This is can be very economical land based trip ... especially for Californians. During the summer months, I've seen round trip airfare from LAX to La Paz or Loreto as low as $180, depending on the exact dates of travel. It's a very short trip, especially on non-stop flights. The hotel accommodations and food are also very reasonable. You can live like a king on those tasty little $1 carne asada tacos and cold cervezas

The peak diving season tends to be late Summer/early Fall, due the warm temps (80's) and high vis (100+ ft). However, due to the variety of marine life, there's pretty decent year around. It's definitely not your typical Caribbean reef, for sure. It is starting to get a little hot by July ... but still not as hot as the peak diving months. You can probably expect highs in the mid/upper 90's or even a little warmer. But hey, it's a dry heat By that time, the water temps and vis have noticeably increased. Depending on the exact location and day, you can probably expect water temps in the mid/high 70's and vis in the 50-100 ft range.

Besides Baja, as others have mentioned, the FL keys can also be a fairly economical land based trip. The only potential issue is that July is technically early hurricane season. While the chances are somewhat low this early in the season, it's always a risk ... especially in trying to plan this far out. Speaking of Florida, as far as an economical live aboard option, consider the Dry Tortugas. You should be able to find 4 day packages for around $1000 or less. There are outfits that depart from Key West and Ft Meyers. Airfare to FL is also fairly reasonable too. I would also add the Flower Gardens in the Gulf of Mexico, but I'm not sure how the reefs faired during last hurricane season.


Good luck and welcome to Scuba Board !

 

[hank harris]

Good advice, OceanGrl. Great diving. Especially love the BVI's. I took my wife to the USVI's last year, did some diving in both USVI/BVI, but would love someday to do a sailboat diving charter.

Riguerin, my info is only second hand, but I've been told the temps are extremely high in July. I've also heard the best time is Sept/Oct. I am definitely going to get there soon and try to catch some whale shark action. Ditto for a trip down your way... hope to hit the channels this summer for a few days on one of the Truth boats.

 

[tedwhiteva]

Here is an off the wall sugestion - St. Lawrence Seaway - Brockville, Ontario, Canada. Wreck and drift diving, water temp late July around 70. Typical cost $35-$85 dollars (Canadian that is!) for 1 or 3 tank boat dive, also shore dive wrecks.

We've been three years in a row - Kevin is a great operator at www.diveseewayvision.com

 

[The Chairman]

THE KEYS, My Friend!
Click on the above or in the link in my signature to join us! ​

 

[RockyHeap]

I've found staying in the keys can get pretty darn pricey quick, $150-185 a night doesn't buy much, We stayed in Islamorada, and even the "rustic" hole in the wall places still seem to command quite a fee for a closet and bed. Am I missing some "Deals" out there other than the Holiday inn up north by Pennycamp park?