New to diving from MN

[bradt81]

Hello everyone. I have been interested in scuba for awhile now as I have been on many vacations and seeing people dive has always interested me and something I have wanted to do. I have just completed my pool training and have yet to finish my OW certification. Going on a honeymoon in the Caribbean somewhere and would like to finish it there. Does anyone have an suggestions on where would be a location to do this?

Also, I would really like to get into the sport as a hobby and possibly a career eventually. Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated. Where to go, classes to take, skills to know, the more information the better.

I look forward to replies. Thanks.

Brad T.

 

[mfolsom]

Welcome
I am as far along as you are in diving, much farther from the honeymoon, 38 years in April. That sounds like a great place to honeymoon. We are going in January.

You are at the right place for info about the sport (diving).

 

[Froid]

Welcome Brad from a fellow Minnesotan.

The Caribbean offers great diving. It really depends what your looking for in a Honeymoon site. For great diving and peaceful, try the Grand Caymans. For more nightlife look at Cancun. For pure diving, Coz or Bonaire are great. Lesser known but great honeymoon sites, try St. Barts, Aruba, the Virgin Islands.

That is just a few ideas. There is so many spots that might fit what your looking for in a honeymoon/dive locations.

At what dive shop did you complete your pool training?

And last but not least, is the future wife a diver.

 

[2big2fail]

Hi from another Minnesotan who just signed up here. Congrats to you and future wife. After I got certified I took several trips to cozumel and enjoyed it a lot. The diving was great and it wasn't very expensive. If you want romantic beaches for newlywed time I would look somewhere else. You should be able to find plenty of info on these forums...many great reads!

 

[bradt81]

Froid - Thanks for the recommendations. We have been to Cozumel and also the Rivera Maya, although I have never been diving, both of which are excellent vacations spots. I would like to try someplace "new". I'll have to check out the other places you mentioned. Just browsing through we have come across a few of those spots.

I completed my pool training at the Scuba Center in Eagan. Friendly people and very knowledgable. As far as the future wife, I have yet to convince her to go. I am still hoping before the honeymoon she will complete at least the pool training.

2big2fail - Where did you finish your OW certification? Around MN or in Cozumel?

Where can you complete the OW certification around here?

 

[Froid]

Brad,

The usual places for OW cert dives in the MN area are Square lake in Lake Elmo, Crosby Mine pits, Lake Wazee or Perch in Wisconsin.

Scuba Center is a good group. I have taken a couple of courses there over the years.

My wife was the same way. It took a bit before she would do her OW course. She choose to go to a dfferent dive shop just south of Scuba center. She had more warm fuzzies with the other shop.

 

[IndigoBlues]

Hi BradT81 and welcome! I live in the Eagan area and have visited their store there a number of times. Did my OW Cert in Mexico this this time, (I used to dive 30 years ago), and am looking at doing local diving again.

Congrats on your wedding... there are so many great places to go in Mexico or the Caribbean area.

Do you belong the MNScuba forum? If not check it out too... Pat

 

[Troutmaster]

Welcome aboard!

 

[bradt81]

I'll check out MNScuba and hopefully get to know some more people around the area. Sounds like there are some neat things to check out around the area.

 

[DiveGear4Less]

Welcome to Scubaboard! Enjoy the new adventure!