Mid-January CONUS diving?

[naimis]

I'm toying around with the idea of doing a birthday dive trip in mid-January, but I'm not sure where would be a good place to go. I'm in central Texas, and would like the trip to be relatively inexpensive and relaxed, so I'm looking mostly at the Gulf/Florida area. Based on my experience, I'm looking at basic/advanced dives (I'm not trained for technical diving as yet). I do have a dry suit and while I'd be willing to dive cooler waters, warmer is better .

Any suggestions?

 

[robint]

I'm toying around with the idea of doing a birthday dive trip in mid-January, but I'm not sure where would be a good place to go. I'm in central Texas, and would like the trip to be relatively inexpensive and relaxed, so I'm looking mostly at the Gulf/Florida area. Based on my experience, I'm looking at basic/advanced dives (I'm not trained for technical diving as yet). I do have a dry suit and while I'd be willing to dive cooler waters, warmer is better .

Any suggestions?

January is winter, everywhere in Continental US (for those of you who are not military and wonder what CONUS means). Expect Florida south end to be the warmest water, Key Largo maybe. That said, it is still chilly and seas may not be friendly. January is probably the worst month to go diving anywhere in Caribbean area for that reason..
The other option is the Florida springs, I think they stay in 70s year round.

robin

 

[Offgassing]

The Florida panhandle is relatively inexpensive. The diving is mostly wrecks/ artificial reefs. The water is usually clearer this time of year. Weather can be a problem, it is often cold, windy and rainy, and the gulf can get rough. On the other hand I've had some of the best conditions in the middle of the winter. It's hit or miss. Springs are ok, but if you aren't a caver you may get bored quickly. The Oriskany in Pensacola would be fun.

 

[OldNSalty]

I dived Vortex this weekend. The air temp was somewhere in the 40's at the coldest point (I think) but the water is 67-68 degrees year round. It was actually much better to be under then on the surface...

 

[Dr Dive]

Pensacola and the Mighty "O" are close for Central TX, closer than the Keys, for sure. Conditions are weather dependent, but it's between the fronts that the conditions are excellent. Water is clearer and can be quite calm if you time it right. Great time of year to beat the crowds and the heat. Call us if we can answer any questions for you.

Capt. Jim
Dr Dive
www.drdive.com
drdive@drdive.com

 

[evensplit]

Pensacola

 

[naimis]

Well I didn't make it to Pensacola when I thought I might, but have been poking around trying to figure out what my travel arrangements would be when I did go. It's almost as expensive to go to Pensacola as it is to go to Honolulu, depending on when you go.

It's definitely cheaper for me to fly all the way to Pensacola than to Mobile and drive the last hour (or Panama City, FL or Tallahassee which would involve three-hour drives on top of that).

When you're heading to Pensacola, how do *you* get there?

 

[sdiver68]

When you're heading to Pensacola, how do *you* get there?

Drive from St. Louis. I've made it in about 10 hours leaving at 4pm arriving 2am.