Dive sites within a short drive of Atlanta...

[NorCalDawg]

Okay, so i've never really been diving in my own state. In fact, the only diving i've done has been on vacation in either florida or mexica. But now that i really want to start diving alot, i'd like to find some places close by where I can head on the weekend to get wet. All I know of from reading this board is the quarry in white, lake lanier, and lake jocassee. Are there any other places to go that are within, oh i don't know... 3-5 hours? Preferably on the short end of that.

 

[ScubaKicker]

There are a few Quarries over here in Alabama. Gadsden has one, there is Bluewater in Pelham and a few around Huntsville.

 

[The Kraken]

Loch-Low-Minn up in Athens, TN. Nice dive site.

the K

 

[mike_s]

well..

Here's a rundown for you.

New Quarry just opened north of Atlanta.
Dive Haven http://www.divehavenga.com

Dive Land outside Gasden Alabama
http://www.headsouth.com/diveland/

Alabama BlueWater in Pelham south of Birmingham
http://www.divealabama.com

Moulton Quarry just west of Moulton AL
no web site. PM for directions or do a search here.

Marthas Quarry in Lebanon TN outside Nashville
http://www.marthasquarry.com

Loch Low Minn Quarry in Tenneseee
http://www.lochlow-minn.com

Madison Quarry (aka Aqualine Aquatic Park, Madison Aquatic Park and formorally known as Rock Divers). Located in Madison Alabama. Not open for general public admission yet, but you can dive through local dive shop weekends. Right now only one shop doing it. (they just re-opened last weekend).
check http://www.sdiscuba.com

Lake Martin (in Alabama near Montgomery I think)
PM Tom Smedly and Rich Murshison.

Florida Springs:
Vortex, Morrison, Ginnie, Cypress, etc.


that should keep your weekends full for a few of them.

-mike

 

[Darelor]

Destin is a 4.5 hr. trip. I did two boat dives there last week.

The vis was about 35 feet at 90 and 70 feet on the first and second dives, respectively. There was a definite thermocline at 35 feet with a difference of 5 degrees. Bottom temp was 79.

First dive was Long Reef. Not much happening there last week. Saw just a few fish and one lobster. It was interesting to see the limestone ledge reef for the first time.

Second dive was North Bridge Rubble. Fish were all over that thing. Bushels of huge sand dollars. Saw huge flounder and played with a 3 foot remora. Did NOT see any sharks in the area. Was an enjoyable dive with so many fish to see.

So Destin might be a possibility for you.

Darel

 

[NorCalDawg]

Wow, you can make destin in 4.5 from Cumming? You must fly... takes my 5-6 hrs. Of course my truck has seen better days too.

 

[Darelor]

Ya know what, DawgDiver, you're right! Eastern time to central time.

5.5 hours

Darel

 

[NorCalDawg]

Ah yes... that time zone change saves you an hour. It's not a bad distance really.... just not that convienent if I only had 1 day to go dive, and couldn't stay overnight.

Thanks for the list though guys.... this should come in handy.

 

[divinginn]

i have heard of people diving lake julliett in middle ga,dont know much about other than 25 hp limit on boat motors,anyone know anything about it chime in,did hear there were some springs feeding it underwater,maybe decent vis and temps.

 

[JKSteger]

i have heard of people diving lake julliett in middle ga,dont know much about other than 25 hp limit on boat motors,anyone know anything about it chime in,did hear there were some springs feeding it underwater,maybe decent vis and temps.

I've logged several dives there. You need to enter over by the dam. The other end of the lake is very brown and dirty. You will not get more than a foot viz there. Over by the dam the vis is a good 10 - 15 feet on an "average" day. This is what I remember the viz being when I dove there. I've been told that on a "good" day the viz can be 20' or so.

I usually dive this lake (Julliett) during the summer months as Lanier just gets too crowded and then again Lake Julliett is only 30min from the house.

Jeremy