So-Cal diver planning historical vacation

[runway1]

We have two teens and I'm a history buff and diver from southern CA. Planning a DC/Gettysburg trip for this coming June. Wondering how to go about squeezing in some mid-Atlantic diving. So, If you can help with some questions, I would greatly appreciate the input.

Son and I are advanced divers. Socal waters are cold with much surf and currents. We have about 100 dives in these conditions

1. What's the best geographic area to stay for to access to Gettysburg, DC and diving? Maybe Frederick area...Baltimore?

2. If I had only one dive to make, what would it be and with what shop?

Thanks all!

 

[emcbride81]

If you want to be central to DC and Gettysburg then either Baltimore would be good, or if you want less urban you could slide out west to Frederick Md. As for diving, your best best would be OCDIVER Subheading Goes Here or you could also contact Off The Wall Scuba - Learn to Scuba Dive in class and online in Baltimore, MD.

Staying in Baltimore would put you closer to the diving by about 45 minutes to an hour.

 

[runway1]

Any diving in Chesapeake Bay?

 

[emcbride81]

There are some people that dive it individually, but I am not sure of actual ops. I know vis is more limited there than it is on the Atlantic. You should talk to the guys at Off the Wall, they may have a good idea. Maryland SCUBA Diving Instruction - SCUBA classes in Maryland - Baltimore MD SCUBA Diving Lessons is another dive shop in that area as well. You could contact these guys as well CBDC Home

 

[runway1]

Great. Thanks for the info!

 

[emcbride81]

no prob

 

[BobbyT22]

I wouldn't plan on diving in the Chesepeake itself. Very limited vis, not usually a dive desination. North Carolina's Outer Banks is a different story. Well worth it if your travel plans allow you to go that far south. Probably 5-6 hours from Baltimore. It is off season, so you can find some great deals for overnight lodging.

Try the below links:
Outer Banks Diving

Outer Banks Dive Center, Nags Head, North Carolina

If you can dive Va Beach, that can be good as well, hit or miss with the weather, but about 2 hours closer to where you will be than OBX.

Lynnhaven Dive Center - scuba diving lessons classes equipm

 

[cdreamer]

We will be diving next year with the dive boat "OC Diver".
It is a 6-pack that leaves out of Ocean City, Maryland.
How old is your son? Basically, the only shallower dives
are Fenwick Shoals which is 30 ft or less. My favorite dive
out of OC is the Submarine, the "Blenny". It a fully intact
sub sitting straight up on the bottom, I believe at about
70 feet. Nearby is the wreck of the "African Queen", and
the "PF Martin" which was an armed tug. From Baltimore,
Ocean City is about 2.5 hours.

 

[runway1]

The old kid will be 17. He's been to about 110' on wrecks here in so-cal. Sounds like some good targets being mentioned. Don't think I can make NC. Wife and younger son don't dive - yet.

What's the water temp in June? How's the current and surge?

 

[cdreamer]

Temps in June would probably be similar to SoCal.
We have cold, colder and dam* it's cold.
Currents aren't usually a problem on the deeper wrecks,
but Fenwick shoals can have a strong surge at times.
You are welcome to check back with us in a couple months
to see where we are going and when.