Does anyone travel to cold water spots to dive??

[M_Bipartitus]

Re: Lanier - have you dove that place in the summer? From everything I've heard, the only reason to dive there is because it's close and wet. I know there are some people on this board that dive it regularly.

Sorry to say I have not. I just got to Atlanta this fall. I would much rather go to other places, but I think it is unlikely for me to do more than a few days of diving a year if it isn't within a days drive.

 

[diveborg]

You may want to think more broadly about the DS. I was in Ft. Lauderdale last February (not what I consider a cold destination,) and I wore my DUI CF200 and 200g undergarment the whole week. I honestly believe that compared with my 5mm full suit wearing trip mates, I was by far the most comfortable. I think you can wear one on the North American Pacific coast year round. Also, a drysuit is recommended in general if you are using double cylinders.

I can't comment about wearing a drysuit if Florida, but if the water temp was below 75, I could easily see myself wearing mine there. I would definitely take my drysuit to Hawaii if I was going there in late winter too.

I can comment about the PNW. Wearing a drysuit is the only possible way I can dive here. I also had to add drygloves to dive BC comfortably, but it is definitely worth it. In fact, last Feb. I spent 12 hours driving from Salem Oregon to Campbell River, British Columbia to go diving. I had a fantastic time, which a Trip Report and a Photo Gallery to share from the trip. Everyone on the trip was diving dry. The water temp was a pretty constant 45 f and I don't think you'll find anyone doing multiple dives wearing a wetsuit in water that cold.

In September I flew to Santa Barbra to dive the Channel Islands. It was great and the water was warm, which of course is relative. Lower 60's, upper 50's might not be considered warm by some people.

So, obviously for me, getting a drysuit was a good choice because I live in a cold water part of the county and I like to dive more frequently than I can afford to fly to the warm water dive destinations.

I guess to answer your question I'd say yes. I do travel to cold water destinations just for the diving. Having a drysuit makes the diving more enjoyable. I have enjoyed the diving in BC and California quite a bit and I actually prefer the diving there over Hawaii. There is just more variety, more color, and more excitement (at least for me) diving in the cold water.

 

[Walter]

I've lived in Florida all my life, I've traveled to California, the Great Lakes and Siberia to dive.

 

[caymaniac]

I've traveled to Tobemorey and the Staights of Mackinaw to dive, but I so much prefer warm water reefs!

 

[diverdenise]

I bought my drysuit a couple years ago to take on a cruise to Alaska, didn't get the cruise until last May but thank goodness for the drysuit and was so much better cause I had more experience. I also wanted to dive Catalina Island after having snorkeled their before certifying so last year went there and dove, the drysuit was bliss and everyone else froze their buns. I live in Idaho so obviously it comes in handy to extend the dive season and to do lakes, etc. Now that I have the drysuit I am not limited to warm water diving but do prefer to take my dive trips in the Carribean or somewhere warm and use it mostly here at home.

 

[ghostdiver1957]

Go West Young Man... or North and East... Fantastic Diving abounds in both locations

 

[LI Diver]

Just how warm is a dry suit?? I mean is it like wearing a jacket outside in 32 degree weather when in 32 degree water? Or is it like diving in 75 degree water with a wetsuit but the water is 32. If the technology is so good how come nobody adapted it for people who work outside all day? I don't like being outside on a cold day with thermals fully clothed and a parka on. And as I get older it gets worse. But I would love to be able to dive locally. Is a drysuit a wise investment or am I not cut out for cold water diving?

 

[scubapolly]

You will find yourself diving your dry suit in places you "could" dive in a wet suit. Also really opens up the diving season throughout the entire year. I've used mine in Florida several times duirng some winter months. Seattle, Monterey, SanDiego are all great cold water destinations. The ship wrecks of the great lakes are phenomonal.

My advise, go for it, get the suit, and go diving.

 

[Jchoby]

Tis no big deal to hop in the car and drive several hours to some place like Thunder Bay or other Great Lake sites. Hope to hit a few this year. However, we may point the car southward too..

Cheers

JC