Info please

[neilstewart]

Hi,

Because of a newspaper promotion I have a free flight from UK to either Boston, NY, Atlanta or Philly. I must use the ticket before 30 April 04 and cannot travel at easter (1st 2 weeks April). I can only stay for 5 days over a weekend. Is there any diving within reach of these destinations during the next 3 months? Suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Neil

 

[Toolbox-13]

If you fly into Atlanta you could catch a hop to Florida cheap or drive. Lots of springs up north or great ocean diving in the south.

 

[scubaspider]

I"m assuming that being from the UK u do cold, there are quarries near lebonon and Allentown, which are maybe about 2 hours from philly driving (I know that's a long time for u to drive being that u guys dont really take trips like that)...but the quarries can be cool, especially the one in allentown. (www.dutchsprings.com)

 

[DandyDon]

I"m assuming that being from the UK u do cold, there are quarries near lebonon and Allentown, which are maybe about 2 hours from philly driving (I know that's a long time for u to drive being that u guys dont really take trips like that)...but the quarries can be cool, especially the one in allentown. (www.dutchsprings.com)

I kinda' doubt that he wants to fly 7 hours across the pond - even for free - to dive quarries. If I'm wroing, oops.

Anway, Neil - what are you hoping for. It's winter over here, too, and the waters & air off of Georgia are a little nippy. The 3 other destinations up north are certainly going to have cold water & air. Like Toolbox suggesed, from Atlanta, connect to a plane headed for Miami, Ft.Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach all in Florida. From there south is some of the best ocean diving in the contiguous U.S. I keep the Key Largo NOAA bouy on speed-dial so I can call it for fun, but you can look it up on their web site.

Currently, 21-23 knots is windy, but the air is 62.1 F at 6:21pm local time, and the surface water is 75.6 F - great 3 mil wetsuit diving, if the boats can go out. Wind is always a risk. Key Largo offers nice shallow reefs, or adventurous wreck diving to 130 fsw for the experienced.

Back up nearer the airports, they have some good shore diving, I've read, but you'd probably want to ask on the Florida Club Forum on those.

enjoy! don

 

[sealkie]

You can get a flight to Nassau from NY.

The best flight are from La Guadia to Nas on Delta - the morning flight leave about 8:00 am you`ll be in Nassau in time fore hte afternoon dives - the flight back leaves about 7pm so you get a full days diving the day before. Places like Stuar Coves will do 4 dives per day so you can get maximum diving in

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I would fly into Atlanta. Then from there, you can go to FLorida (I recommend the Keys), a quick flight will land you in the Bahamas, or you can go to any other Carribean island (Caymans, Bonaire, Curacao, etc.) or Central America (Honduras, Belize, Mexico).

LOTS of choices from Atlanta. I would recommend going SOUTH!!! Dandydon is right, its WINTER over here!!! Its much nicer in the Florida keys or Carribean...

The question is, how much do you want to spend???

 

[herman]

Hi Neil,

I have to agree with the other guys, I would head south as well. Round trip tickets from Atlanta to Miami or Fort Lauderdale (which I prefer over MIA) are in the $200 US range. You can dive there or drive on down (2-3 hrs ) to the Keys.
You can drive from Atlanta to the north Florida springs and caverns in 5-6 hrs. It's getting late in the season by April but a snorkle trip to snorkle with the manatees around Crystal River would also be a possibility.
After you decide what you are going to do and if you would like some buddies along, you may consider posting your trip here and asking some of the locals to join you.

 

[DandyDon]

...but the air is 62.1 F at 6:21pm local time, and the surface water is 75.6 F - great 3 mil wetsuit diving...don

:frosty:
Well, 3 mil long wetsuit, warm water poured down the inside back before the dive, neoprene hood, gloves, booties, :loki3: warm after dive wear, hot cocoa to drink, etc. :44:

Maybe a 5 or 6 mil long would be better? Discount diver stores in all over, if you need to buy anything...?

don