South East Diving - where to go

[Scuba J Esq]

I hope this is the right place for this post. I live in NYC and I'm looking for a place to go diving for a long w/e. Moorehead City NC was suggested, but there are no direct flights and if I fly into Raleigh (biggest closest airport) it is a 3 hr drive.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Looking for a place for a long w/e (2 days of diving).

thanks in advance

J

 

[robint]

I hope this is the right place for this post. I live in NYC and I'm looking for a place to go diving for a long w/e. Moorehead City NC was suggested, but there are no direct flights and if I fly into Raleigh (biggest closest airport) it is a 3 hr drive.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Looking for a place for a long w/e (2 days of diving).

thanks in advance

J

NC might be a good choice for you as long as you are not a newbie expecting really easy shallow diving. It isn't the same as the Caribbean. Boat rides are long and can be rough seas, there can be current and also no DM to hold your hand.
I don't think the drive from the airport is 3 hours, I think it is closer to 2 hours.

Another option for you is Ft. Lauderdale area. I am sure you can get flights there plus there are several dive ops that do am and pm dives, depending on time of year. Diving is a mix of drift diving (you have a floating dive flag with you and boat picks you up when you surface) or wreck diving (boat is moored to wreck). I think that area lends itself to weekend diving more than most other places on east coast.

~also, you need to fill in your profile. It is easier for us to give you specific info when we know how long you have been diving, how many dives, where you have been already...

robin

 

[Scuba J Esq]

NC might be a good choice for you as long as you are not a newbie expecting really easy shallow diving. It isn't the same as the Caribbean. Boat rides are long and can be rough seas, there can be current and also no DM to hold your hand.
I don't think the drive from the airport is 3 hours, I think it is closer to 2 hours.

Another option for you is Ft. Lauderdale area. I am sure you can get flights there plus there are several dive ops that do am and pm dives, depending on time of year. Diving is a mix of drift diving (you have a floating dive flag with you and boat picks you up when you surface) or wreck diving (boat is moored to wreck). I think that area lends itself to weekend diving more than most other places on east coast.

~also, you need to fill in your profile. It is easier for us to give you specific info when we know how long you have been diving, how many dives, where you have been already...

robin

Thanks for the reply. I'll fill out my profile but I have over 100+ dives and have my rescue cert. I mostly dive in the Caribbean. I'm going to Bonaire in Nov.

I'm looking for a place that can be a long w/e getaway w/out a huge hassle of travel. Fl is close but I haven't found great diving in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I dove in Ft. Lauderdale in Jan - it was horrible. I had 10 foot visibility and we saw no fish on the drift dive. Any good shops people recommend in Ft. Lauderdale

thanks again

J

 

[robint]

Thanks for the reply. I'll fill out my profile but I have over 100+ dives and have my rescue cert. I mostly dive in the Caribbean. I'm going to Bonaire in Nov.

I'm looking for a place that can be a long w/e getaway w/out a huge hassle of travel. Fl is close but I haven't found great diving in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I dove in Ft. Lauderdale in Jan - it was horrible. I had 10 foot visibility and we saw no fish on the drift dive. Any good shops people recommend in Ft. Lauderdale

thanks again

J

Jan is not a good time to dive most anywhere in US. It is winter, ya know!

I think you should look into the NC diving if you can do the drive thing.
The NC wreck divers Forum here on SB could probably get you set up for some weekend trips with info about boats and groups. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/south-eastern-united-states/

Are you looking for any specific time of year or looking for a regular place to go anytime you can get away?

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

.. Look at Savanna GA, Jacksonville Fl, Pensacola, Ft walton/Destin and Panama city beach all the way down to the Tampa area. With the latter 3 being in the gulf I dont think you would be disappointed. Great diving in the gulf all year unless a storm is there.

 

[Scuba J Esq]

Reg place to go when I am bored in NYC.

I'll check out the places you listed

thanks

J

 

[DeputyDan]

From Raleigh to Morehead will be 3 hours give or take

Raleigh to Wilmington will be 2 hours give or take.

I would not risk it in the winter due to the likelihood of being blown out!