Help! How to dive in Michigan

[TJ_Diver]

Hello everyone. I am originally from Michigan and am planning on returning in a few months to visit family. While there I want to go diving somewhere in west Michigan for a day. I am currently living in Singapore and do not want to bring all of my dive equipment along So I am trying to find a dive operator that can provide rental equipment and a dive-master. I have visited many LDS intenet sites and I find it difficult to determine the process.
Are there regularly scheduled dives in Michigan, where I can just show up, get my rental gear, hop on a boat and go diving with a local guide? I may be spoiled with the diving in the Pacific, but I am looking for simplicity and a good dive experience. If it's more difficult than that I will probably just not go diving.

 

[dab]

Where will you be and are you willing to travel very far if necessary?

 

[bladephotog]

If you are looking for the ease of warm water diving than the Great Lakes may not be the right place. BUT, the diving here is worth the effort involved. Hook up with a LDS. Most have Great Lakes dive trips scheduled and you could rent gear from them. If you're in the Ann Arbor area get in touch with Rich at Divers Inc. He's on this board and easy to find.

Or get in touch with a LDS at the dive destination where you want to go. You can get great diving here with relatively little effort.

 

[TJ_Diver]

I will be in the Pentwater area. I would be willing to travel basically from Holland up to Traverse City. Pretty much anywhere that I can get to in 1.5-2 hours by car.
We really would like to have the experience of Great Lakes diving, but since most of my family are not divers I can really only spare one day. That's why I am looking for easy access. I'm also hoping that preparing well in advance I can take a lot of the hassle that may be involve out.

 

[Divers Incorporated]

There are two dive centers in Traverse city, one in Holland and there is a new one in west michigan on this board... there are definitely some cool wrecks in the area and at least one shore dive that I know of... I am not as familiar with that area as I should be... Anyone out there know more?

 

[dab]

In Traverse City, I would recommend you contact Scuba North and ask what opportunities they have available on the dates you will be here. They periodically run charters out to the Manitou Islands, they do week day shore dives, as well as schedule charters to other locations. The other dive shop in town, Great Lakes Scuba, has great equipment selection, but has not been scheduling any local charters. I believe there are 3 shops in Holland and you may want to contact them to see what they have to offer.

Index
Adventures In Diving, MI

 

[Oldpirate]

There are three dive centers in Holland, but only one (as far as I know) is licensed to run charters -- Advance Scuba: Advance Scuba

If I am wrong, correct me. Also Grand Haven has a charter operator but no shop: Obsession Charters, L.L.C. - 1-616-847-2908 - West Michigan Shipwreck Diving.

 

[jtivat]

There are three dive centers in Holland, but only one (as far as I know) is licensed to run charters -- Advance Scuba: Advance Scuba

If I am wrong, correct me. Also Grand Haven has a charter operator but no shop: Obsession Charters, L.L.C. - 1-616-847-2908 - West Michigan Shipwreck Diving.

Are you sure Gordy is running charters this year? I heard he was selling his boat but am not sure.

 

[PARADISE HUNTER]

Do you have your dry suit cert? If you do not, you won't be able to rent one. That is no problem, the charters are usually around 1/3 filled with wet suit divers, but something to think about. Obviously the water temps in the great lakes are a bit colder than in Singapore.

As for specific trips, most LDS's have them posted on their web sites.