Boston Harbor Diving?

[shotthebreeze]

Hey guys,

I'm getting certified this May via the Boston Harbor Dive Company. Has anyone taken any classes here and does anyone know of any great dive sites around Boston? I know Cape Cod has like 75 shipwrecks...

 

[Rainer]

I did my OW class with Jim. Great, great instructor. I really enjoed his teaching style, both in and out of the water. He also runs a great boat out of (you guessed it!) Boston Harbor (check his website). His website lists many of the sites he runs to. For shore diving, my buddies and I mostly hid up Cape Ann. The MIT Scuba Club (google it) has a good description of these sites and more throughout New England. There's a lot of great local diving all up and down the NE coast.

 

[shotthebreeze]

Rainer,

Thanks a bunch! What was your favorite part of the class with Jim? I have heard nothing but great things about him and emailed him back and forth for a bit. I was a little apprehensive about the mask clearing with contacts, but he reassured me that I would be fine.

 

[battles2a5]

I used to live on the Cape. I still go there for a week or two every summer. Are there any good dive ops up there that take groups out? Do you dive the Bay or the Sound? What is the diving like (besides cold) during the summer months. Thanks!

 

[shotthebreeze]

I usually snorkel Long Point Beach in Provincetown. We usually take a skiff to the tip of the Cape. The water's cold but crystal clear and there's a wreck right there in the bay. If you were looking for some great dive sites on the Cape I found this website: http://www.treasureexpeditions.com/Shipwrecks_of_Cape_Cod%20_&_Boston_Harbor.htm

 

[Rainer]

Jim has a great attitude with students. Reassuring, patient, knowledgeable, and takes the time to make sure all students are on the same page. Lessons out of the water did tend to follow the reading material, but he was always open to taking quesitions that went beyond the material. The in water portions were also well done. We had lots of time to practice the skills after they were demonstrated, and he was always willing to redemonstrate skills and offer suggestions. Furthermore, the class was quite small, and Jim had another instructor in the water helping for our class, which made it seem even smaller. Finally, as I alluded to before, he runs a really fun dive boat. By far my favorite boat from a comfort perspective. Very laid back, but safe and fun.

 

[crlavoie]

I've been on his boat several times for dive charters. Each time, he had students on board in various stages of training and they were all getting a lot of good experience. Jim himself is very competent and his personality alone lends it's self to being a good instructor.

As for the charter business, he does great job. In my opinion, he runs one of the better, if THE best charter in the area. Always a great time.

 

[LobstaMan]

I've never taken a class w/ Jim and Pat, but I've been out in the harbor diving w/ them to several different sites and have never been disappointed. Nice, big boat that has been recently redesigned solely w/ diving in mind. Knowledgeable captains who are experienced divers and not afraid to jump in the water with you or assist you topside w/ gear. I'm sure you'll be properly trained and have fun at the same time.

As far as the masking clearing w/ contacts goes, I'd just buy a prescription mask and be done with it. From your post, it seems you already snorkel, so buying a prescription mask wouldn't be a waste of money even if you decide not to dive too much after getting your OW. You can dive w/ contacts, but it just makes things a lot simpler if you go w/o them. If a contact popped out or got something in it u/w, you'd be most likely unable to fix it. I've been using prescription masks for 20 years.

LobstaMan

 

[genxweb]

I usually snorkel Long Point Beach in Provincetown. We usually take a skiff to the tip of the Cape. The water's cold but crystal clear and there's a wreck right there in the bay. If you were looking for some great dive sites on the Cape I found this website: http://www.treasureexpeditions.com/Shipwrecks_of_Cape_Cod%20_&_Boston_Harbor.htm

Man I miss RI and MA diving lived there for about 9 years and then moved to PA. I need to get back there. I suggest for good dive sites get the two books about new england dive sites they have the gps and lorane numbers in them with some pictures, depth and directions and most of the time sell for about 5 to 10.00 each at the dive shops in the area.

I also check the weblink you posted it is funny how the coordinates for the gold ship and treasure ship are not marked but the explosive one is. HAHA.

 

[shotthebreeze]

Has anyone taken any advanced diving classes with Jim? I'm interested in getting my uncle, who has been soley responsible for my snorkeling and diving infatuation, a spot in the lobster hunter course so that the two of us could take it together. Kind of a thank you gift for him being so supportiveand all.