Pros to non-blue water diving?

[ScubaJoy65]

I would like some insights and feedback about the pros to non-blue water diving. (Blue water meaning saltwater, ocean diving)

Here's my dilemma. While I'm relatively new to diving (14 dives under my belt), all my dives have been in the Atlantic. I've done wreck dives, deep dives, drift diving, etc. I am addicted to seeing fish and wrecks. So the concept of spring diving, etc. does not sound appealing to me at all. Yet, I read about many people flocking to do it and/or recommending it others.

With that in mind, I thought I should hear the positives about these non-blue water dive sites so I don't unintentionally miss out on something that I might enjoy.

So, my virtual (and real) dive buddies, are you up to the challenge to help me build a desire non-blue water diving? I'm all ears (and eyes) to your thoughts...

Joy
:scubadive:

 

[charlesml3]

Joy,

Since you're new to diving, I would recommend taking the opportunity to explore other aspects of it. The springs in Florida aren't all that far from South Carolina so you could do it in a weekend.

It's a fairly cheap trip and I bet you'll enjoy it.

-Charles

 

[ereediver]

Not sure what you mean by non-blue water diving, but if a make an ass out of u and me that you mean fresh water as opposed to salt: Fresh water is easier to rinse out of you gear. Wrecks are preserved better in cold fresh water. The calmer conditions in quarries makes it easier to pratice you drills. Different species to look at. You can take part in the camping and apre-diving that often take place around in land lakes, springs, and quarries. And any chance to get under is a good thing.

 

[OldNSalty]

I suspect for most it is location limiting choice. I admire the determination of those who dive the same quarries every weekend. I dive mostly blue water and find lakes boring after awhile but that's just me. Maybe I haven't been exposed to sufficiently interesting lakes or quarries.

 

[sabbath999]

Well, I am a NOOB so keep that in mind...

My new diving buddies dive in the muck because that's what we have... blue water is a thousand miles away from here... and so if you are going to be a diver who actually dives, then freshwater is what you have.

Quarry and spring diving is a great way to see freshwater fish and invertibrates, and is very peaceful and relaxing (at least it has been on my four dives following training... the sum total of my diving experience). It allows you to enjoy the wildlife both in and out of the water.

Honestly, if I lived near the ocean I wouldn't dive fresh much... but I don't.

I, for one, have no intention of being a "vacation" diver... I will dive while on vacation, but those are going to be in the vast minority of my dives...

 

[Phrenzy]

I would suggest you do not try greywater diving. The aftertaste isn't that great.

Greywater - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Guba]

Well, for me, it's the obvious...I live an eight hour drive from the ocean, and that means in ANY way (Sure, I can hop a flight to Cozumel, but the airport is four hours away, two hours at the AP, then a two hour flight...hmmm, eight hours again.)

Therefore, I dive lakes, springs and quarries mostly for convenience. However, there are some things that are unique to these sites. For example, two of the springs I dive have endangered species, some of which are found in nearly no other place on the planet. The water in these springs is actually MORE clear than seawater, and--naturally--all dives are shore dives. In lakes, one can generally keep any "treasure" you find, whereas in the ocean, the rule of thumb is "hands off/make no contact".

There is a lot to see if one just takes the time to look. Everything cool doesn't have to be a reef (but I sure love reef diving, too!).

 

[emttim]

I think for most people it's location. However, the only freshwater sites I've dived are Folsom Lake here in Sacramento, and trust me, you're not missing much if there's any freshwater site near you with comparable conditions. On the other hand, Lake Tahoe is freshwater and its one of the most beautiful dive sites I've ever been to.

I think part of the appeal aside from accessibility is the scenery around the dive site above water. Plus the rock formations in Tahoe are pretty cool and you get to see diff species (trout, crawdads) that you probably won't see in saltwater.

 

[swifttank]

(trout, crawdads) that you probably won't see in saltwater.

I'll take snapper and lobster over those two any day.

I'm still new enough that I don't care where I dive, just get me wet! I live in Orlando so great diving is all around me. There are springs everywhere, and I can be on a boat in the ocean for hunting in an hour, or sight-seeing in two hours. I love the ocean because I can choose who I want to dive with, and not have to worry about other people's skill messing up my dives. All it takes is one or two people (depending which spring you're in) to touch the bottom, or get near it, do one big kick, and there goes the vis. If I do dive the springs, I only go on Thursdays. It hasn't failed me yet. Every time we go on Thursdays, we are the only people diving in the springs.

 

[diver 85]

I would like some insights and feedback about the pros to non-blue water diving. (Blue water meaning saltwater, ocean diving)

Here's my dilemma. While I'm relatively new to diving (14 dives under my belt), all my dives have been in the Atlantic. I've done wreck dives, deep dives, drift diving, etc. I am addicted to seeing fish and wrecks. So the concept of spring diving, etc. does not sound appealing to me at all. Yet, I read about many people flocking to do it and/or recommending it others.

With that in mind, I thought I should hear the positives about these non-blue water dive sites so I don't unintentionally miss out on something that I might enjoy.

So, my virtual (and real) dive buddies, are you up to the challenge to help me build a desire non-blue water diving? I'm all ears (and eyes) to your thoughts...

Joy
:scubadive:

heck man, with your situation, get a 28 footer+ & get with it---no need to fool around with that freshwater mess, ought to be able to get about 100 miles offshore & continue blue wtaer diving only...seriously, blue water diving blows the you know what out of freshwater diving......