Saltwater...finally.

[MellowD]

So, after a number of training dives at Joe's, I finally got to experience the wonderful bitter taste of saltwater in the Gulf of Mexico. I just returned from a trip to Destin; and while I'd hoped to dive at least 2 days, hopefully 3, I was only able to go once. I guess that's the downside to going after tourist season. Now that I think about it, I could've called other dive shops to see if they were going out...

Anyway, I had a GREAT time and it was more than I expected. We went to a couple wrecks...the Phoenix and the Miss Louise. There were only 5 of us, so we just followed the divemaster around and she was able to show us all the really neat stuff. I got a little frustrated a couple times because there was a couple that kept swimming beneath me or cutting in front of me. Maybe underwater etiquette is different than on the surface... But the fish were amazing; Barracuda, huge Jellyfish, a Sea Cucumber, an Octopus and thousands of what I call "generic fish". Plus, it was nice to be able to see more than 10 feet.

That's about it, I'm just still excited and wanted to share. OH! And, they were my first two Nitrox (EAN32) dives.

 

[jpsexton]

Congratulations! I've only dove saltwater a couple times and I can't wait to do it again.

Who did you dive with in Destin? I'm planning a trip to somewhere in Florida in Nov. and Destin is on the short list. Would you reccomend them?

Why only one day, was there a weather delay or was it something else?

 

[MellowD]

Congratulations! I've only dove saltwater a couple times and I can't wait to do it again.

Who did you dive with in Destin? I'm planning a trip to somewhere in Florida in Nov. and Destin is on the short list. Would you reccomend them?

Why only one day, was there a weather delay or was it something else?

I went with ScubaTech. They are on Hwy 98 in Destin at the NE corner of Marler. They were great. Very friendly and informative and helpful. They appreciated the fact that I was honest and told them I was a "novice at best". And I had to pony up an extra $25 for the divemaster since I had never been in the Gulf before. But she was great as well, and had a lot of advice for me to help my gas consumption...I can almost watch the needle on the spg move each time I take a breath. But yes, I would definitely recommend them and plan to dive with them again. They have a website... www.scubatechnwfl.com

The reason I only got to dive one day is that they won't go out unless they have at least 4 people. So, with it being after tourist season AND it was during the week, they only had enough people to go out on Wednesday. That was kind of a bummer, so I relegated myself to sitting on the beach all day not listening to screaming kids.

 

[crpntr133]

Ahhh, the bitter sweet taste of salt water. I remember my first salt dive in Aruba. I would have loved to been able to see the look on my face when I put the reg in my mouth.

 

[jbd]

Well MellowD all we have to do now is get you into the Great Lakes to make you a well rounded diver. Not as many creatures but the wrecks are pretty cool.

 

[trucker girl]

Hey- wait a minute- you want to talk "generic fish"? You haven't SEEN generic fish till you've mastered the fish identification of trout, bass, bluegill and catfish. Quarries RULE!

 

[Land Locked]

Congrats MellowD!!! I'm glad to hear you had a GREAT time!!!

Now all we need is for jbd to get our trip together and we will go do
some great wreck diving up north!

 

[CheddarChick]

Hey- wait a minute- you want to talk "generic fish"? You haven't SEEN generic fish till you've mastered the fish identification of trout, bass, bluegill and catfish. Quarries RULE!

Until you get ear infection!!!!!
(sitting here bummed out by my Pearl Lake Ear pain)

 

[MellowD]

...to make you a well rounded diver...

Some might argue that I'm already plenty round.

 

[jbd]

Well you've got plenty of company