Help with visiting your wonderful corner of the Earth

[JDKay]

A bud of mine who lives on Cape Cod wants to dive in the Thousand Islands region Memorial Day weekend. He is a British citizen. Will we encounter any difficulties with border crossing etc? I will be coming from the lower Hudson Valley. Any suggestions on locations/lodging that are worthwhile and not too far for a weekend trip. I was thinking Clayton, but evryone keeps saying Canada is better.
TIA
John

 

[d33ps1x]

You shouldn't have any issues.

British citizens are pretty welcome here last time I checked. As far as thousand island diving...No ideas there.

 

[uwhooligan]

You shouldn't have any issues.

British citizens are pretty welcome here last time I checked. As far as thousand island diving...No ideas there.

Crossing into the USA with UK passport can be a 'slow' process especially since now they ('they' being US immigration) photo and fingerprint all non USA and Canadian citizens. Getting into Canada should be easy with little hassle. Your trip back might be slower but only slower. Should be no problems later on, assuming he has a greencard if he's living there then even that might be totally hassle free too.

 

[DivingGal]

As the others have said, border crossing to/from the USA to Canada will not be an issue for either of you (as long as you have proper ID) . I would check with the appropriate authorities on your side. I think the only trouble you'll have is traffic... you and everyone else trying to leave and return to the USA at the same time.

You'll have the advantage of coming on a holiday weekend for the US, but not here in Canada. Assuming you're crossing at the 1000 Island Bridge (up from I-81) you'll have the choice of going anywhere from Kingston to Brockville -- all within a couple of hour drive from the boarder crossing.

There are various locations for shore diving already open to divers. The charters in both locations are also running by that time.... so lots to chose from.

So the questions to you would be: Are you wanting just shore dives, or would you like a charter? What level of experience do you both have? Do you need equipment or bringing your own?

Last but not least . . . do you need dive buddies? Though I can gather a gang for you, I'm actually in the USA at that time diving with a dear friend.

Check out the Lake Ontario and Upper St Lawrence "stickies" at the begining of the OFWF forum for some brief description of some of the dive sites.

 

[JDKay]

There are various locations for shore diving already open to divers. The charters in both locations are also running by that time.... so lots to chose from.

So the questions to you would be: Are you wanting just shore dives, or would you like a charter? What level of experience do you both have? Do you need equipment or bringing your own?

Last but not least . . . do you need dive buddies? Though I can gather a gang for you, I'm actually in the USA at that time diving with a dear friend.

Experience: He dives as part of his job all summer. I have 60 or so dives and will be making my first drysuit dives since taking the class last year.

Charter vs. shore: I prefer not to get lost. If the site is esy enough to find (read well marked) that would be OK for shore diving. Otherwise I prefer to make use of the knowledge of the people earning their living bringing divers back from the site. (that whole Cali thing really has me wondering) Shore diving would help keep the price down, though. Maybe a mix would be best.

Buddies: Well, everyone has bagged on us. So it's just us two, we'll have room. And their knowledge would be very helpful as well. Especially for shore dives. The more the merrier.

Sites: I am very interested in doing wreck diving. But, I would like to visit some sites that would be appropriate for a 12 yr old jr. diver that smal enough to get blown away by a stiff wind. I hope to come back later this year with my son.

Equipment: We'll be bringing our own, but who's good to deal with if we have a problem and to get fills?

Lodging: Looking for something cheap. I found the museum B&B. Looks like a blast.

Thanks
John

 

[DivingGal]

Equipment, fills
In Kingston check with TomR's Northern Tech Diving

Going east, you just have to visit the local "toy store" Dive Tech in Mallorytown. Dan can help you out with fills, equipment.

shore stuff
In Kingston, the gang there will have to help you out, but check out NTD's web for their great info page on shore diving.

Brockville has a couple, but on the weekend they're likely to be packed with OW classes.

Prescott - The Rothsay, a wreck near shore, with a good rope course heading to it. There is also the "water park" in town, but as in Brockville, this is likely to be packed with OW classes.

Cardinal (1) Connestoga - a wreck easy to get to as you can see the smoke stack from shore! (2) Lock 28. This is great if you can hook up with an other set of divers, then arrange to have one vehicle at Lock 28 and one at the Connestoga. Great drift/wreck dive.

charters
As the Kingston gang are having the mooring project on the 3rd weekend of May, the charters should be in full swing by then. Check with Divedude (BigJim Charters) and TomR (Northern Tech Divers) both on here on SB, they run charters and should be able to help you out

Many of the charters in the Brockville area are putting their boats in in the first week of May. I'll PM some numbers in a bit, but check out BottomTimes (Evan is great), and Above&Below (don't tell Jymi I sent you hehehe)

Accommodation
So many hotels & motels with very reasonable rates. Many in the Brockville area offer discounts to divers. I do know of a couple of B&Bs, one is very friendly to divers (since the owner is one!) again that'll be in the PM.

Sorry I'm going to miss your visit, but come on up, have a great time then think of joining the freaks in the Kingston gathering at the end of August!