Delta has direct flights to Grand Cayman and Cozumel from Atlanta. Other than that I wouldn't bother bringing dive gear. Quarries are cold and boring, IMO. Local lakes have horrible viz. YMMV
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Yeah, I'm not looking to do any freshwater diving. I'm just starting to get dialed in with weighting for using different kinds of tanks in saltwater. However, I don't consider 6hrs to be a long drive for a day of diving, which Morehead City is within according to Google Maps from Greenville. Does that help? Where would I go then?
After I posted the question, I started looking at Charleston, because I figured that's where responses might lead. Kind of surprised.
Don't think I'd splurge for the whale shark. I'd rather try seeing it in the ocean by going to where they may roam rather than the aquarium, and when I think that it's over $11/min .... !!! Myrtle Beach looks promising though!
the damming of the river is a theme in the movie Deliverance. Dive and hear the banjos.