New Louisiana diver

[Rig Magician]

Well i am new to the board and a new diver. i just got my C-card last month, and due to work i have not had a chance to dive yet. I will be changing that when i get home from work though.
I have looked at the charter with Harry's and also the scuba company in New Orleans and was wondering if any body has done any of these. i really want to go this time i am home so i am looking all over. i also have a friend who dives and i may go out with him. i know that since i am new i will have some problems getting people to invite me out. so i am looking to get some dives in where i can to get some experiance. any help would be great.
Mark

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Willing to travel to Alabama or the FL panhandle?

 

[Rig Magician]

Yes have truck and gear will travel!!!

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

There are a few shore dives and lots and lots of available charters within 3.5hours of you More than welcome to join us anytime - I beach dive weekly.

 

[Rig Magician]

I will have to take a look into that when i get home. what charters do they have over there. are any on the web to look at.
Thanks.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

http://www.alabamadive.com/ <-- the LDS I use. Daphne, AL
http://www.downunderdiveshop.com/ <-- another LDS in Gulf Shores, AL

http://www.florida-scuba.com/pensacola.htm <-- listing of several dive shops in Pensacola, FL

I preffer Dive Pros and MBT, but have heard that ScubaShack is good as well.

Not sure of Dive Pros website(or if they have one).

MBT Divers www.mbtdivers.com
ScubaShack http://www.scubashackpensacola.com/sdm.asp?pg=dive_sites

If you want to goto Destin(maybe 4.5-5hours away from you?), they have two excellent dive shops (ScubaTech and Emerald Coast Scuba). http://www.scubatechnwfl.com/ and http://www.divedestin.com/ respectively <-- I usually dive ScubaTech

Plenty of shore dives in between that require no charter



I'm originally from Gretna, LA by the way. I have lots of family in Houma and used to goof around at Waterland USA in the summertime

 

[Rig Magician]

Yeah I've been to waterland a few times my self. the shops listed do they run charters? shore diveing would be cool also. i have a guy i work with that has a boat in destin also. that may be an option but i would need a dive buddy since he does not dive. may have to look into that option also. thanks for the help. whats the family in houma?

 

[Rig Magician]

I just checked out those sites you sent. Downunder has some good prices on there 100CF tanks. I am getting ready to buy 2-3 tanks and may have to go over there for them. do you know if there is any other shops with a better price on there tanks in that area? Also have you ever went out with them on one of there charters? this may be a good deal to go do at 55 dollars for a 2 tank dive, the only ones i found aroud hear are 125+. i would like to do more dives than 2 though, what is the beach diving like there. may go for the weekend and bring the wife and kids to the beach while i go diving. would you be interested in buddying up with a rookie?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Bulls, Terios, and several other families - my father is the geniology mogal I just remember getting carted off to Houma several times when I was smaller(15-20 years ago?).

All the shops I listed run charters either off their own boats, or through someone elses charter boat.

If you ever need a buddy, let me know, if I'm not already busy, I'll dive with you. I haven't dove with DownUnder as I got certified through Underwater Works(other LDS). The $55 trip is usually just 2 dives within 5 miles of the beach and between 30-70'. The $75 gives you plenty of options and the dives will range from about 70-120'.

Underwater Works offers the same kind of trips, for about $10 more, but they also offer an all day dive for $125(I think). This is a 3 tank dive at the 20-30mile range. Underwater Works also sells 120/3300 tanks for $240 which isn't too bad a price from what I understand.

The beach diving here is simple and fun. Catching the tides will allow you to dive the jeddies at Alabama Point. Otherwise, there is a small crumbling wreck within 150m of the shore off one of the public beaches that is usually pretty fun since it does attract quite a bit of marine life. There are a few more beachable wrecks but without any close public parking and I've been having a hard time locating them.

 

[Rig Magician]

Thanks for all the help. There are 3 tank dives for 125$ at home. both spots listed in my fist mail have that price. on is out of Vince and the other is out of pasgagoula. May look into thoses. If i do go to that area I will get in touch with you.
Mark