Best US Diving???

[Scubasarah81]

If you could LIVE anywhere in the US for the highest quality AND quantity of diving (warm or cold water), where would you live? Speaking strictly about diving, without regard to cost of living, climate etc.

Just curious!

 

[Teamcasa]

Hawaii, SoCal or maybe Florida.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Probably Florida.
I've dove quite a bit in Southern California and they have all the Channel Islands and great live aboards, but from what I hear Florida is better.

 

[knotical]

Either American Samoa or Hawaii, (especially any island other than Oahu).
Then in order: USVI, Puerto Rico, and Florida.

 

[robint]

Probably Florida.
I've dove quite a bit in Southern California and they have all the Channel Islands and great live aboards, but from what I hear Florida is better.

having done both.... Calif, Channel Islands in particular, wins hands down!
Kelp forests are unique and in warm water locations you don't see incredible, colorful fish like those that live there! California you can see nudibranchs of all colors and types, as well as sharks and sea lions, so the variety of sealife, big and small, is better.
We have done Kona Hawaii, and although the diving was enjoyable, all the reefs started looking exactly the same by the end of the week, and not very colorful. Fish were cool but ....
We are heading to NC coastline to dive there in July... so my opinions may change.

robin

 

[caymaniac]

I think the Florida Keys are good but also think the diving is better in Hawaii overall.

 

[cappyjon431]

North Florida...High Springs, Branford, Mayo. The cave diving is awesome. I lived up there for eight years and I really miss being able to go cave diving regularly.

 

[Scubagolf]

For the 50 states, Hawaii would be my choice. Plenty of variety and really good shore diving.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

HI,CA and FL each are unique, pretty hard to pick one above the other. One of the things that drives me to continue diving is the diversity of each local.

If I could retire anywhere and just dive, cost no object, it is pretty hard to beat HI for the beautiful surroundings, warm water and laid back lifestyle. I have to agree with Robin though, So Cal Channel Islands has an endless variety of sea life that I have not seen anywhere else. Too bad the greater LA area is so crowded and expensive.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

having done both.... Calif, Channel Islands in particular, wins hands down!
Kelp forests are unique and in warm water locations you don't see incredible, colorful fish like those that live there! California you can see nudibranchs of all colors and types, as well as sharks and sea lions, so the variety of sealife, big and small, is better.
We have done Kona Hawaii, and although the diving was enjoyable, all the reefs started looking exactly the same by the end of the week, and not very colorful. Fish were cool but ....
We are heading to NC coastline to dive there in July... so my opinions may change.

robin

I dove a few times in Hawaii and I have to agree, after about 5 dives it all starts to look the same. That's why it didn't make my list.
If you think CA Channel Islands wins hands down then I'm going to consider myself very lucky. You gotta luv those liveaboards that let you do whatever you want - no babysitting there!

Northern California (North Coast) has some awesome diving too but the problem is it's blown out most of the time, the vis isn't always the greatest, and there are no dive charter boats up this far. Monterey has some killer diving too, and they have charter boats.