Roadtrip! Monterey CA to Detroit... via Florida

[CodeS]

Hi all,

I am traveling to the US with my parents to visit my sister, I will be spending a month with them traveling from Denver to New Mexico. I will buy a car when I land in Denver.

My plan is to head off on my own for a month, or two. Firstly to Monterey, travel down the coast diving, then head back east with a few stops along the way. Now a major part of the trip I would like to spend in florida, diving as much as I possibly can. Then North up the coast ending in Detroit (to drop off the car/trailer).

My main issue is figuring out a route that takes advantage of as much shore diving as possible with a few boat dives in the mix. I don't mind doing lots of driving and will be living in my car/trailer so accommodation is an easy solve!

There are lots of dive sites listed but it is hard to know where things are actually located without gps coordinates or a street address to pop into a map.

Anyway, I would love to hear any and all suggestions for dive sites, local websites, or offers for dive buddies!

Looking forward to hearing some options.
Regards
Cody

 

[sportxlh]

Once you start to get towards the southeast, think I 10. There's diving in Gulf Shores Alabama and the panhandle of florida. If you like springs then think I 75 heading south with a stop in Venice to shark tooth dive or Disney to dive in the epcot aquarium. If you don't like aprings, then head to I 95 with stops in Jupiter or WPB for Goliath grouper, turtles and sharks along with Boynton and Pompano. Whether you take 75 or 95, then head to the keys.

While headed back north, take I-95, it's longer than I 75, but you can stop in Charleston and Moorehead City for diving too. If you have a dry suit or high tolerance for cold, once you are in the Motor City you can dive in Lake Huron, off the 'thumb' of MI or head over to Lake Michigan

If you take I 75 north instead of I 95, the Georgia aquarium dive is pretty cool.... expensive but a great bucket list dive

 

[Caveeagle]

I did the drive from N.Fla to Monterey back in March. Over 4 days, so no time to dive. I would say that once you get to FL, you can find some diving in Pensacola and Panama City Beach. I hear the Jettys make for a nice shore dive. From I-10 to I-75 you will pass several really nice spring dive opportunities. You did not mention having a buddy with you, so you will need to track one down, because most will not allow solo.. Ginnie Springs, Blue Grotto, Crystal River, Rainbow River (just a few)..

From there I would head straight down to Jupiter/West Palm area. I really like Blue Heron Bridge, for a quick shore dive, but there are plenty of dive ops on the southeast coast that can hook you up for offshore diving.

You can also hit up a spring dive on the way back north. It makes for a nice fresh water rinse of your gear to get rid of all that salty stuff..

 

[jameseg]

Definitely get over to Catalina Island, 26 miles west of Los Angeles, if you can. By far my favorite diving on the west coast. Easiest option would probably be to take a dive boat over from the mainland, but there are good dive ops on the island if you take the ferry over, and good shore diving off the casino in the main town of Avalon. Expensive place for hotels, though.

Agree with everyone recommending Jupiter, FL. Fun diving with lots of big stuff, very different than the Florida Keys.

James

 

[Lorenzoid]

The route from Florida to Detroit is almost due north, following Interstate 75 through no region with diving of any note (okay, someone mentioned the Georgia Aquarium), but I suspect you don't need me to describe what you have no doubt understood by looking at the map. As someone mentioned, leaving Florida you could follow I-95 up the east coast and thereby do an offshore dive in North Carolina, but that is a bit of a detour eastward; you would have to turn around and head west, perhaps back to Georgia, and link up with I-75 for the rest of the drive north to Detroit. But if you have a whole month for the trip, and your own car, then why not!

From Detroit, you could actually continue into Canada and dive the famous wooden wrecks of Tobermory. Cold water, for sure.

 

[Ready4Launch]

Hi all,

I am traveling to the US with my parents to visit my sister, I will be spending a month with them traveling from Denver to New Mexico. I will buy a car when I land in Denver.

My plan is to head off on my own for a month, or two. Firstly to Monterey, travel down the coast diving, then head back east with a few stops along the way. Now a major part of the trip I would like to spend in florida, diving as much as I possibly can. Then North up the coast ending in Detroit (to drop off the car/trailer).

My main issue is figuring out a route that takes advantage of as much shore diving as possible with a few boat dives in the mix. I don't mind doing lots of driving and will be living in my car/trailer so accommodation is an easy solve!

There are lots of dive sites listed but it is hard to know where things are actually located without gps coordinates or a street address to pop into a map.

Anyway, I would love to hear any and all suggestions for dive sites, local websites, or offers for dive buddies!

Looking forward to hearing some options.
Regards
Cody

In Monterey, you'll want to do Breakwater. It's too easy not to, and it's a nice dive. And, you can do a second dive going out the pipe. I dove with people from Bamboo Reef. They hooked me up with some gear discount too since I hired a dive guide from them. Good people. I've not done it, but everyone talks about diving the state park too. You'll need reservations.

Coming south from Monterey, I'd go against the other recommendation for Catalina unless you're okay with spending 2 nights there. I'm of course going to recommend diving the Channel Islands out of Ventura Harbor. Get on the Peace or Spectre dive boat. You can do the Spectre on Thurs/Friday too. Really great dives. Ventura Dive & Sport is right there at the harbor for rentals.