new in Mobile, AL, new to diving

[TDancker]

Hey,
I have recently relocated to Mobile , Al, and want to get certified. Does anybody know of a good school or instructors, who can do this?
Also looking for dive buddies.
Torsten

 

[bamamedic]

You could bug dive-aholic on Scubaboard, otherwise known as Rob Neto (Chipola Divers - Home).

I think he can train ya at Vortex Springs, in Ponce De Leon...just a two hour drive from Mobile.

I've heard nothing but good things about this instructor.

 

[ScubaDocER]

I live in Atlanta but there the guys at Alabama Blue Water Adventures that can certify you and they are in Pelham, Alabama. Not sure how far that is from Mobile. The shop is at a fresh water quarry so you can do pool sessions and checkout dives without leaving the state. If I don't take students to Vortex Springs for checkout dives, I go to Pelham. Definitely for the Advanced course. You can Google their web page for more info and tell them Doc sent you . I am not affiliated with the shop professionally. I just think they are a great bunch of guys.

 

[bamamedic]

Of course, ABWA is definitely an option!

It's about a 4-5 hour drive from Mobile, I think.

 

[bamamedic]

You also might be able to get more answers if you posted in the regional-specific forum....

Deep Dixie Divers - ScubaBoard

 

[Lockdownx99]

hi t dancker, im in gautier Ms. in between us is pascagoula ms. There is a dive shop named round island divers. The owner, John Gaffeney, (i dont know if i spelled it correctly) is VERY informative, and has the best prices on his gear. google him and give him a call. his Certs take 4 weeks to complete. 1 wed. a week and then you do open water check outs in destin. In my opinion hes is the most stand up guy around here. give him a call and tell him brett taylor sent you. he will take care of you.

 

[OldNSalty]

Hey TDancker,

Check out Gulf Coast Divers - They have a nice program but it is on the $$$ side. The schedule is very flexiable. The dives are like a mini-vacation as the shop owns a condo at Destine. When it comes time to do the dives everyone goes tot eh condo on Friday, Saturday you do 2 tanks at Vortex and then Sunday catch a charter out of Destin for 2 ocean dives..at least that is the way the did it several years ago.

They also have an indoor pool on site and after your 2nd class you can come in any time they are open, grab some gear and a fresh tank outof the rental shop and jump in the pool to practice on your own.

 

[raser1974]

Try out Down Under Dive Shop in Gulf Shores, AL. They run a great operation.

 

[TMHeimer]

I took a lot of courses with Emerald Coast Scuba in Destin. They do classes at vortex a lot and have a charter. Take note they don't go out Jan.-March (except end March at times).

 

[Lockdownx99]

hey TDanker shoot me a PM. im only about 30 miles away from you and i know all the shops between gautier ms, and mobile/fairhope AL. i know some pretty good instructors that can get you set up.