Cold water diving - we LOVE it!

[TheBullfrog]

I'm going to respectfully disagree. Biodiversity and currents are location dependent, not temperature dependent.

to each their own

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I'm going to respectfully disagree. Biodiversity and currents are location dependent, not temperature dependent.

Perhaps so, but I will not return to Cozumel, Galapagos, or Fiji because of the currents.

 

[lostsheep]

There’s no such thing as too cold, there’s just the wrong gear.

 

[DCN]

The sea temps here are at the coldest in February, we've been told. We were prepared to hang up our fins for the season at the very latest in December, thinking we'd never ever be able to find the courage to go diving in the coldest month in an Arctic country.

But we are.

Must be bitten by a bug or something.

 

[Chavodel8en]

to each their own

There may be lots of biodiversity in cold water -- but I can only see whats within 20 ft of me (on a good day).

I like diving in cold water, buts its really nice to be able to clearly see all the fish up to 40 feet away.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

A little cold-water biodiversity.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[DCN]

@MaxBottomtime Beautiful photos!!!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

There may be lots of biodiversity in cold water -- but I can only see whats within 20 ft of me (on a good day).

I like diving in cold water, buts its really nice to be able to clearly see all the fish up to 40 feet away.

I had 60' at Arena Rock once, actually several times. It's an offshore pinnacle that probably one if the most exciting dives in California.
We were diving out of Albion once on Bull rock in August and there was about a three hour window where the vis soared to about 80 or 90 feet. I was at 90' and could look up and see my boat as clear as day. The water was 46 degrees. A super cold
Alaskan current came up from the depths similar to how it happens in Monterey.
It's pretty cool being on a pinnacle or ridgeline and looking over to the next one which is 60 or 70 feet away.

 

[naturescent]

I prefer cold water to warm. I've even taken lots of vacations to cold water diving. I've found warm water diving to be somewhat boring, or annoying because of currents.

I used to believe that warm water diving was always more thrilling, but on a recent vacation to https://orlandovacation.com , I discovered some of Florida's freshwater springs, crystal-clear water, creepy tunnels, and a very different vibe than tropical reefs. It felt quite unusual and otherworldly, much like cold water diving. There is something about those less 'traditional' diving places that makes the experience even more remarkable.