Diving Far Away?

[robbcayman]

I have been interested in diving for the last few years and have been a ghost for some time on this board. My only problem is I live in Oklahoma and I don't want to dive in lakes. How many people on this board don't live near a major ocean? How often do you dive? I want to get my own dive equipment (I'm a Germ Freak) but I don't want to buy all this stuff and only dive 1-2 times a year. Lastly, Can anyone recommend a good dive spot in the bahamas, with lots of marine life? Thanks

 

[Damselfish]

I live near an ocean, but don't dive there anymore anyway. Take about 3 warm water trips a year instead.

Having your own gear is good because you will be familiar with it, know it fits and has been well maintained.

 

[H2Andy]

robb, it will depend on your budget and time.

how often can you get to Texas and dive the Gulf?

how often can you get away for a long weekend in Florida?

how often will be you be able to fly to the Caribbean for a week?

 

[Gary D.]

What's the matter with lakes? If you're not a diver yet then you don't know what your in for or missing. Both have a lot to offer.

Germ's? they just be little guys that can be delt with, don't sweat the small stuff.


I'm in Idaho just south of the Maple Leaf and get in a lot of dives.

Gary D.

 

[robbcayman]

H2Andy, probably about 3-4 times a year. Can you recommend any dive site in the bahamas or the keys? Thanks

 

[Rookie_J]

i live in Minnesota, nothing wrong with lakes.

as a matter of fact we share the largest body of fresh water in the world. granted the vis isn't nearly as good, the fish aren't as colorful, we have no coral and we don't have man eating puffer fish, but i don't mind diving lakes.

dry mouth? remove reg, take a mouthful of water, spit it out... try that in your salt water..



i think there is another forum here that would have all the info you'd need for the Bahama's.

 

[H2Andy]

H2Andy, probably about 3-4 times a year. Can you recommend any dive site in the bahamas or the keys? Thanks

i've never been to the Bahamas, but would recommend Key Largo for nice reef dives.

you can also do a lot of diving from Jupiter down to Ft. Lauderdale, including West
Palm Beach

 

[Paco]

i live in Minnesota, nothing wrong with lakes.

as a matter of fact we share the largest body of fresh water in the world. granted the vis isn't nearly as good, the fish aren't as colorful, we have no coral and we don't have man eating puffer fish, but i don't mind diving lakes.

dry mouth? remove reg, take a mouthful of water, spit it out... try that in your salt water..



i think there is another forum here that would have all the info you'd need for the Bahama's.

And the Great Lakes have some IMPRESSIVE shipwrecks. (But it's chilly down there)

 

[DandyDon]

I'm just west of you at the south end of our panhandle, so I'm further from any Atlantic, Caribbean, or even Gulf diving than you are. So, everyone at the Lubbock airport recognizes me when I drag my bags in. ilot: You do whatever you gotta do...!

I don't know how close you are to OKC, TUL, DFW, or other commercial airports, but from those - it's a pretty easy shot to lots of nice diving areas:

Miami, Ft.Lauderdale, West Palm Beach for the diving Andy suggested. Cannot bet Key Largo for newbie diving, and it's great to keep going back as you get more experienced and training.

Cozumel is still wonderful, in spite of the excessive effects of cruise boats and development.

Honduras Bay Islands like Roatan and Utila are super diving and you can make it from your bedroom to the resort bedroom in a day easily.

Belize is also easily reachable and great diving.

And then there is the vast Carib, as well as the Bahamas, T&C islands, etc.

If you have the time and money, your choices are vast. I don't, but I go anyway.

 

[robbcayman]

DandyDon, I live in Oklahoma City probably 20 minutes from the main airport. Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to buy the equipment myself and not look back. 3-4 times a year is better than no times a year. To all those who lake dive I am not trying to dog it, it's just not for me. Thanks again.