New divers coming to Pensacola / Mobile

[rugbyal]

I am bringing a couple of youth 15 and 17 to the Pensacola / Mobile area on the 28th or 29th and was wondering a good place to go. Both have Advanced Open Water certs and were interested in shore diving.
I've never dove there either so it will be all new to me too. Just want to make it fun.

I've talked to two shops and received totally different recommendations so I would like some input from those who have been.

They have been diving in quarries so water clarity would be a new thing to them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[bbarnett51]

I just got back bit can't really recommend shore dives bc I didn't do any. However MBT will help you. Good guys and gals.

I got some recommendations while I was there but since I didn't dive them I don't want to recommend them. There are some really neet inshore dives if you consider a boat.

 

[rugbyal]

Thanks for the reply.
MBT?
The kids are part of a group taking a week long trip from TX and having not quite a day to spend. $ is an issue as well as fitting it into the schedule. I just figured they were coming thru and might as well try and get a dive in if possible.
Thanks again.

 

[DocCarl]

Thanks for the reply.
MBT?
The kids are part of a group taking a week long trip from TX and having not quite a day to spend. $ is an issue as well as fitting it into the schedule. I just figured they were coming thru and might as well try and get a dive in if possible.
Thanks again.

You guys are in town this weekend? I'm sorry that I didn't see this sooner. Unfortunately, I've already made plans for the weekend.

There are several good shore diving options in the area, however the tides and weather are not looking so good for the next day or so. If you're in Mobile, your best bet is to drive to Pensacola. Either MBT Divers or Dive Pros in Pensacola should be able to point you in the right direction.

We have a pretty strong OW community, that enjoys meeting new dive buddies & showing people around some of the local sites. For future reference, you can usually get a quicker response inside the 'Deep Dixie Divers' forum. You can get an even fast response by posting on the Gulf Coast Dive Society Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gcds1/


Hope you have a great time while you're in the area!

Carl

 

[rugbyal]

Thanks Carl.
I'll keep the info for future reference. We did manage to dive the Whiskey Wreck in spite of the storm that came thru. We were in Pensacola in the morning and drove thru the storm heading back west. With only 3 out of a group of 10 people we couldn't be as flexible as I would like.
But with all that being said, we still had a great time and will be back. We are shooting to make it back in the fall. It was tough with beginners, they had to be talked into a second try, but they made it. Waves were fun but the visibility was less than we hoped, but as good as the lakes we dive back in Texas.
We shall return.