Dive opportunity near Hampton / Virginia Beech - mid Apr

[DiverDun]

Hello Mid-Atlantic Bottom Feeders

I will be traveling on business to Hampton during 22-24 Apr and would be very interested to get in a dive or two while there. If it is possible to arrange a dive, I would travel early for a dive on 20 or 21 Apr.

After searching this forum for a while, I get the impression that Virginia Beech would be the best place to target. I also see Lynnhaven and Dive Quarters as popular store / charter companies.

Lynnhaven has a plan to do the Brass Spike on 20 Apr. Is this a worthwhile dive?

What water temperature at depth should I plan for? I am a cold water diver so don't mind even a bit of ice.

I will be staying in Hampton during 22-24 Apr, but it may make sense to stay in Virginia Beech during the weekend. Can anyone recommend a relatively inexpensive place which may tolerate having my dive gear hanging out to dry?

Thanks

 

[RAD Diver]

Hello there. Sorry no one answered you. The Brass Spike is not 1 of my most favorite dives, & I am scheduled to be diving in Wilmington N.C. on the 19th, but I will be back that night & will be happy to give you a buddy. Lynnhaven runs a good operation & has a nice big boat. Dive Quarters charters a 6-pack & will leave it up to those on board to make a final destination call. The boat they use is having motors put back in right now & I don't know if it will be up & running by then.
Water temps will be mid 40s to low 50s.
I have no idea on cheap places to stay, but this is before the season starts so you can probably get a good deal on a pretty nice hotel right on the beach.

 

[DiverDun]

Thanks for the reply RAD Diver.

I called three dive shops on Wed. The only one who has plans for a charter is Lynnhaven but they indicated that it is dependant on getting enough divers and could always be cancelled because of the weather. This makes me a little uncomfortable with the risk that it may not happen.

In addition when I added all the costs involved, including a couple extra days at a hotel I realize that it becomes really too expensive to justify a single dive trip that could be cancelled.

I tremendously appreciate your assistance and generous offer to be my buddy. I would have enjoyed that, but I have to be a bit fiscally realistic, even for a diver.

If I get another trip to visit folks at Langley AFB I’ll try again.

Thanks