Cancun, San Diego, Maine and Florida this fall...

[vet1999]

Hi! I am very new to this board and diving in general (read "my open water dives for basic open water certification are the first week in August"). Through some vacation and work trips, I am fortunate to be going to some varied places this fall. I would love to try to find dive experiences in each of these locations (+/- Orlando), but am a little frightened to book anything without knowing what to expect. I wanted to throw the question to this group before I picked up the phone and started to call places. Any advice would be extremely welcome! I was thinking of then pursuing my advanced open water when I return, as I don't think I will be in any one spot long enough to really get a lot out of pursuing it remotely (unless others think it would be a good idea). As my husband, and my other travel partners do not dive, can someone advise how is the best to find a buddy.

I also will bring my own wetsuit (as it is impossible for me to find something that fits and had one custom made), but will need all other gear. Should I bring my mask/fins/snorkel?

My first trip is to southern shores of Maine (We stay in Wells/Ogunquit, but I can go as North as Freeport, and south to Portsmouth, NH, but if it for a great experience, I can travel farther) Aug 20-27. this is a personal trip, so I am free the whole week to plan.

Then I am in Cancun Sept 15-18. As the 15th and 18 are flying days, this only leaves a Friday and Sat. We are staying at the Jade Resort in the Now Hotel Line. It is below hotel row (I think) in Puerta Morelos. I do not want to rent a car, and as much as I would have loved to take the trek to Cozumel, I cannot this trip.

Then I am in San Diego Oct 1-7th (Fly 1st and 7th). This is a work trip, so most days are going to be in lectures, and I do not have night dive certification, but have a free Sunday and can ditch an afternoon, maybe a morning, as I can't pass up this opportunity. We are staying on the marina.

The last is Disney World in November (5-12). I haven't committed to fly so may have my car (I am still debating due to cost), but as this is a family trip, and my husband and son could care less about my new found love, I hate to take too much time away, and really don't want to venture too far. We also go almost every year, so, if I don't dive this trip, no worries.:cool2:

As I live in eastern PA, diving in the winter here is not an option for me. I look forward to any advice! Thanks so much!!!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Advice for San Diego:
The marina area is where several of the good boat dive ops are located -- Marissa, Waterhorse (Humboldt), and Lois Ann.
For a beginner, La Jolla Shores or La Jolla Cove is a good shore dive option.
If you are interested in hiring a local dive guide, some people have been happy with the guided snorkel or scuba dives led by the Scuba Diver Girls.

Join the email list at Divebums.com to get daily dive reports from local divers and to solicit potential dive buddies.
The Power Scuba Meetup.com group is a fun group that has dives scheduled every week and accommodates newbies.
Most inexpensive shop for scuba gear rentals is Sport Chalet (multiple locations). You can check out gear on a Friday afternoon, return it before closing on Sunday, and only get charged for "one" rental day.

To get the most out of your stay in San Diego, a car rental is almost mandatory.

For what it's worth, I'm not certified to conduct night dives either, but I've probably done a couple hundred of them. Most of my local dives are done at night. Last night at La Jolla Shores, among other things, we saw a couple of rather large butterfly rays (measuring 5 ft. wingtip to wingtip).

 

[DandyDon]

Yes, you always want your own mask for sure, your own fins if convenient as quality varies, and snorkel - hardly anyone carries one, but sure bring yours. Handy for snorkeling. I always take all of my own gear, but learn how to check over rental gear closely if you have to go that way.

Brand new divers are generally better off diving newbie sites, like shallow reefs off of Key Largo. Your destinations are quite a variety...!

Cancun: I dive Cozumel but I've heard of some good diving there. For your first day of ocean diving, do hire a private DM/.

Main? Seriously? Not what I would suggest for a newbie at all.

San Diego: You may find Pacific water a bit cool for your suit.

Orlando? All I know of is the aquarium dive at Disneyworld, and I think they require you use their suits and everything to control what enters the tank.

If you don't have Divers Alert Network dive insurance yet, you want to get that - essential, at last the middle if not not plan. Otherwise, you'd be better off asking about each destination on its respective geographic forum.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

DandyDon brings up a lot of good points...

San Diego: You may find Pacific water a bit cool for your suit.

@vet1999: FYI, plan for water temps in San Diego in October to be low-to-mid 50s (°F).
Rental suits are typically 7mm.
Everyone wears a hood, gloves, and booties (with open-heeled fins).

 

[DandyDon]

Since she said "will bring my own wetsuit (as it is impossible for me to find something that fits and had one custom made)" I wonder if he could find a suit to fit in San Diego or Orlando - or Maine if she really tried that, altho I think that would be far from newbie diving.

After diving California and Puget Sound, I finally got some neoprene socks to fit inside my larger booties. Nice!

I think a few nice dives in Cancun would be a nice start, then see what else you can plan.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Don, you're the voice of reason here on ScubaBoard.
You're probably right. Sounds like the OP has a custom-made 3mm wetsuit. That ain't gonna cut it in Maine or San Diego.
If she wanted to dive in those two places, she'd have to rent a thicker suit.

 

[DandyDon]

Isn't Maine a bit wild...?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Isn't Maine a bit wild...?

Like anywhere else, I think Maine has dive sites appropriate for beginners.
spectrum put together a nice list of Maine dive sites. If you click on the links for a few of the sites, you'll see that there are some that are quite shallow and sheltered.

 

[vet1999]

Wow! Thank you all so much for the suggestions. My suit is 7mm, as my open water dives are at Dutch Springs in PA. (Even that might not be enough from what I have been told, so may also get at some point a vest if needed), also have booties, gloves and hood, but I tend to stay a little warmer than most, still the Pacific does sound colder than any of the water that I have been in before.

@Don, we have been vacationing in Maine since I was a little girl (way too many years to think of...) and have always envied the people diving at Nubble Light as I watched from the restaurant (Foxes), or as I was climbing the rocks. I didn't think this would be the year, but wasn't sure how crazy that dive was... As for Disney, no matter how much I think I know about that place or how many times I have been, I always am learning something new. I never knew that they had a diving "tour". Very cool! Thanks!

@Bubble, thank you. I will check out the websites and groups. Thanks for pointing me in good direction!

Thanks again! :giveusahug:

 

[Bubbletrubble]

My suit is 7mm...

I stand corrected.

Enjoy your trips. They all sound fun!