Just curious how the diving in Maine and that general area compares to the diving in the Northwest - like Oregon, Washington, Vancouver area and so on. I'm starting to fantasize about retirement options (and winning the lottery). One might thing that the diving would be similar in some respects given that there both in rather chilly water, but I suppose that would be incorrect. Is one definitely preferred to the other by those who have dove both on more than a few occasions?
Maine vs Northwest - anyone dove both?
- Thread starter dlwalke
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I took my open water classes at Nubble Light at York, Maine... I'm moving to the Seattle area in 2 months... I'll let you know the similarities in about 6 months.
I'd be interested to hear what the diving is like in Maine. I'm guessing that the PNW would will this contest but I suppose it really depends on what your interest in diving is.
If it's hunting for lobsters then Maine would win out. If it's colorfull and abundant sea life then probably the PNW is the winner. Most diving in the PNW is without surge as it's done in more protected inland waterways where currents are more of an issue and are also the reason for much of the colorful life on the rocky walls.
I should add that if you are looking for ship wrecks the East Coast should win out as the continental shelf is much closer in along the West Coast and therefore most wrecks are not in divable depths.
If it's hunting for lobsters then Maine would win out. If it's colorfull and abundant sea life then probably the PNW is the winner. Most diving in the PNW is without surge as it's done in more protected inland waterways where currents are more of an issue and are also the reason for much of the colorful life on the rocky walls.
I should add that if you are looking for ship wrecks the East Coast should win out as the continental shelf is much closer in along the West Coast and therefore most wrecks are not in divable depths.
Friggincold
Contributor
I have dove both areas. PNW wins hands down no comparison. More marine life and bigger life plus you'll see most of the life you see in Maine except for the lobster
gcbryan:
It is illegal to "hunt for lobster" using scuba in Maine
Just an FYI.
Jeff
Green_Manelishi
Contributor
jtoorish:
It's also downright dangerous.
Green_Manelishi:
Ever heard any of those old "Bert and I" sketches about Maine by Marshall Dodge and Robert Bryan?
There is a great one about pulling up a lobster pot with some kind of "sea creature" on it that is clearly supposed to be a scuba diver when they describe it.
"It were just floppin' around on the deck making strange hissin' noises, so I said 'Give a whack with the oar Bert!" *whack* "That were a good'on, give it anotha!"
Green_Manelishi
Contributor
RIOceanographer:
No but I have heard and seen first hand accounts of the way they sometimes treat each other.
603doug
Registered
In Maine lobsters are given the right to vote and divers are so far down the food chain lobstermen will not use them for bait. I have not dove the Northwest, but quite a few other places and i still think Maine area is the prettiest. A little more work than the caribbean but well worth it
keelhaul123
Contributor
Which just proves that Maine truly IS a primitive state!jtoorish:
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