"New" Diver in NC

[JakeDiver]

We've not actually booked anything with the cruise yet.

I have a friend that used to live in the Bahamas so I was going to quiz her and her husband about shops in the area that would work out. A lot of what happens there is going to depend on how my wife does on the next couple of quarry visits (one of which is next week).

Other than that... A friend of mine that I used to work with (who is a surfer) got together with a friend of his and they created this site: DiveLine - Your Ultimate Dive Buddy Looking there it looks like NC has a good bit of shore diving that is relatively accessible. I was thinking about going with some friends that are more experienced and my daughter to one of the closer shore sites.

When we first started out getting lessons and whatnot... we were told shore diving in NC was not the best... Seems to be some controversy / disagreements on that. Seems to me the worst thing about shore diving in NC is just humping your gear from your parking spot.

Thanks, I'll check out that site

 

[Chrisk919]

don't book through the curise line. Find a shop in the area and book through them.

I’ve done this (and happy I did) but just remember- “boat time” may not be the same as “local time” when planning your dives and especially *your return times*

 

[went_postal]

I’ve done this (and happy I did) but just remember- “boat time” may not be the same as “local time” when planning your dives and especially *your return times*

Oh yeah... I have heard some of the nightmare stories.

I've also been on the boat looking down at the dock in Jamaica when the "Entitled Ones" showed up 15 minutes after the boat had been closed and unmoored demanding to be let on... and we were already 30 minutes past departure time.

I never want to be that person. =)

Living in NC we are pretty reasonably located to Bermuda and the Bahamas flight wise... My problem is just finding other folks that can get time off at the same time.

I think Gypsys is going to the Caymans in 2026 and I am super tempted to do that one... Just need to square away the wife's diving situation first.

 

[Chrisk919]

I think Gypsys is going to the Caymans in 2026 and I am super tempted to do that one... Just need to square away the wife's diving situation first.

And if that doesn’t work there’s also the Surge and Invasion from Scubaboard (Cozumel in Jan ‘26 and DR in June ‘26)