Dive Trips For New Divers

[SHAWNFROMMOIGH]

Hi Everyone!

I’m still pretty inexperienced (6-10 dives) at diving, even though I’ve be OW certified for a little over a year. I was looking at the local dive shops (both of them) and the trips to the outer banks (I’m in N.C.) that both places have scheduled. They all have requirements that exceed my current official skills. One, for example, requires 10 ocean dives, at least one with boat entry, and to 70 feet. I’ve been diving at the quarry 6 times and getting more comfortable with all the gear. But don’t have the experience needed. So my question is, are there places / dive shops that specialize in (or at least offer) dive trips for new-to-the-ocean divers?

Thanks!

 

[diversteve]

How close are you to Myrtle Beach? Both Coastal Scuba and Express Watersports in Murrell's Inlet do some easier, shallow dives - all the way up to advanced wreck dives farther out. They're broken down by skill level:

Coastal Scuba dive sites
Express Water Sports - Myrtle Beach Scuba - Dive Sites & Prices

we dove with Express, they're a good outfit.

Check here also: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/north-carolina/

 

[ZzzKing]

I am not familiar with your situation and dive shops but you might talk to them and see if they would consider puting a trip together for people new to boat diving. If you could talk to some of the others you got certified with and band together and buy out the whole dive boat for a day, I bet they would be very receptive.

Right after I was certified and had a similar number of dives as you, I took a trip to the Florida Keys. They have some excellent shallower dives at John Pennecamp Park that would be good beginning sites for divers at your level. Good luck!

 

[TSandM]

If you are willing to travel, I think you'll find that most tropical resort locations are quite accustomed to handling new divers. I did my first trip to Maui -- I think I did my 10th dive there.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

A quick run down to the Flodroida keys is not far, and you get in a lot of bottom time there at a variety of depths. Check out Amy Slate's on Key :argo for good value. Also, Akumal mexico. A beautiful place, good diving, variety of depth will get you to 70 feet plus. Lots of turtles. Google Akumal Dive SHop, call them. Good people.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Malpaso]

If you are willing to travel, I think you'll find that most tropical resort locations are quite accustomed to handling new divers. I did my first trip to Maui -- I think I did my 10th dive there.

The same with me. I was very nervous before diving in St Thomas and St Kitts last year, that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the crowd. On the first dive I was the most experienced customer on the boat with 22 dives! I got the impression that many of the tropical charters group similarly experienced divers together. Also, doing deep dives in the tropics is a much more comfortable was than in cold(er) water. I did my AOW in 59*F water with as little as 8' visibility. The Caribbean was so much more relaxing as a newb.

 

[TravisD]

Do a week on a live aboard and you will be spoiled.

 

[dvankirk]

I agree that the keys offer a lot of good diving at various depths and skill levels. There is a steep learning curve going out off of the NC coast - not that you can't do it, but it might not be the best first boat diving experience. I've seen a lot of green faces riding the 3-5. Don't get discouraged, though - most divers will get sick at some point. I learned my lesson after a night of drinking in San Pedro and then riding the boat like a rodeo star through the channel.

Most of the NC dive shops will do a boat diving specialty to guide you, though. The Morehead / Beaufort ops might be better than trying to go out of Nags Head / Hatteras. Otherwise, find a good mentor to go out with - check out the club at your local shop.

 

[spectrum]

What ever happend to going to the beach? You are trained, get a buddy and go practice.

 

[Steve_C]

You also might want to look into Aquatic Safaris out of Wrightsville Beach. They run two boats.

They run some shallower trips. The liberty ship is a short ride and 50 ft. Viz will be at least quarry viz usually and sometimes better.

They also go to the Stone/Pocohontas/Dredge wreck which are in 60 ft of water. Stone and Pocohontas are intact tug type boats. Dredge is an old wreck just some machinery and bricks now.

The Hyde is deeper water at 80 ft but it is intact and the deck is at 60 ft. You can do a nice dive and never get below 60 ft. I have dove with first timers on that wreck and it worked well.

There are a number of other small ledges, and various sunken items that are close in but those are the main ones.

You can always pick a site and start a charter.

You might consider taking a course. Another option is to rent a DM. On Aquatics for 30 or 40 bucks you can have a DM dive with you.

You have to look for them but last summer I did a pair of dives on the Indra out of Morehead. That is definitely OK for OW students. But make sure they are full length dives.