Where to go for first open water diving?

[MXGratefulDiver]

Bonaire, Roatan, and Cozumel are all very popular and reasonable destinations for new divers. Of the three, I'd probably recommend starting with Cozumel as long as you go with a dive op that will cater to new divers; there are many that will do this. Cozumel dives tend to be a little deeper than the other two, but there is lots of great diving there at 40-50 feet. There are some more challenging sites with current issues, but the better dive ops at Cozumel are VERY experienced at taking new divers to appropriate spots.

Roatan dives tend to be a little shallower than Coz, and there are far fewer currents to contend with. The only drawback for new divers is that the DM style tends to be a little more "hands off" than in Cozumel. You could easily specify that you wanted more direct supervision and be accommodated by a good dive op.

Bonaire has a reputation as the easiest diving of the three, but typically the shore dives are not guided. I'm sure you could hire a DM, though. I have not been there, but everyone raves about it and it's very commonly recommended as a destination for new divers. (and old ones!)

Interesting ... I've been to all three and Cozumel would be my last choice for new divers. Bonaire and Roatan both offer easier diving.

I would recommend Bonaire for beginners. Getting a DM is easy if you want one. And all the charter boats offer guided dives (although they're not mandated ... you can do your own dive if you want to).

Cozumel is all drift diving ... which, depending on the site, may not be appropriate for the new diver. Many of the dive sites will take you to depths that new divers have no business going to.

Cozumel didn't really rock my boat ... should I ever find myself in that part of the country again, it will be to dive the Cenotes ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[SparticleBrane]

I envy you living so close to such great diving, in fact I plan on taking a trip there very soon to do some diving and look for property. It is funny how sometimes we don't see what is in our own backyard.

Depends on how you define "close". Charlotte is at least 6 hours from the coast. Then the boat ride is usually several hours depending on how far out you go. I'd say that most NC dives, especially during the winter, have a 50/50 chance of being blown out (or worse). When the diving is good, it's epic. When the diving is bad, it sucks.
For someone in Charlotte to make a decent coastal dive, they'll need to make a weekend of it. Chances are they might get blown out at least one day (if not both).
Note that I am NOT discouraging people from diving our coast, but warning them of the possibility for blowouts.


I wouldn't recommend offshore NC for brand new divers, and especially not for your first open water dives. Not at all. Personally I'd recommend one of the inland quarries -- the water isn't too cold yet and the vis should be clearing up since the water temp is dropping.

Fantasy Lake is a good place for beginners, and a nice place to work on skills (even for the most advanced of divers).
There are several other inland quarries that are open for diving as well. I believe Lake Norman Quarry is closer to Charlotte than Fantasy Lake.

Get some experience before diving the coast. Sometimes it's as flat as glass, others...well, sometimes it just isn't for beginners.




I see many opinions in this thread to go to xyz tropical locale, and there's no problem with that if that's where your diving interest lies. However I also urge you to listen to what robertarak said above:

It is funny how sometimes we don't see what is in our own backyard.

North Carolina has some great diving off the coast for sure. It also has good diving in the inland quarries, rivers, lakes, etc. The latter will take some more work, time, and experience before you truly appreciate them, but they're worth it. Remember that even the smallest of things in the worst of locations and conditions can still have it's own beauty. I have way too many dives in Fantasy Lake, but I still see something new every time I go. The rivers, while they might have 1-2ft of vis, are usually full fo fossils (especially if they're east of I95). On that note, I would strongly caution you from diving in NC rivers until you get lots of experience.

You don't need to travel halfway around the world to see something neat.

 

[jeepguy]

Should the planets align, and my wife and I finish our certification -

A year and a half ago I was in the same boat. Fresh from OW and non-diving spouse we had been going to Curacao snorkeling a few times and I decided to go as a diver. I found Suzy & Mark at The Dive Bus. Great people, fun, easy going. I did my AOW & 14 dives and my wife decided to get her OW with them. They were just what we needed to get our new hobby started on right foot. Went back this year, and made many more dives with them(about 24 more). Check out The Dive Bus - HOME and email Suzy with any questions. Though we've been to and really liked Bonaire and spent many weekends this summer at the local quarry, we really enjoy diving with them and are going back August 08. Good luck with your certs. and have a great time where ever you go to dive. Tom & Isabelle:14:

 

[halocline]

Interesting ... I've been to all three and Cozumel would be my last choice for new divers. Bonaire and Roatan both offer easier diving.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)

What you're saying makes sense, maybe Coz is not the ideal place for new divers, although there are VERY experienced DMs and instructors there that have been guiding new divers for years.

As I mentioned, I have not been to Bonaire so can't personally recommend it, but I did say that it's highly recommended as a new diver destination. I'm dying to go; airfare to Coz and Roatan has been so cheap the last few years that it's tough to spend the extra money for Bonaire. Now fares are going up to those places, and probably coming down from Texas with (I think) a new Houston-Bonaire continental flight, so I'll probably finally get to go this year.

 

[surfsidedav]

Maybe I missed it, but the Florida springs might be a place to look. Not warm water, but it is fresh and clear, with no current to deal with.

 

[twinkles]

I am going to put in a plug for where I did my first dives after getting certified: Jamaica.

A lot of people will tell you that the diving isn't great in Jamaica, but they have shallow dives, and warm water and no current. And you can get out to where the maximum depth is a 120 feet if you want with a 5 minute boat ride (for your AOW deep dive).

I took AOW from an outfit there that I would highly recommend. They did an absolutlely superb job. Private instruction at the same or less than you would pay your local dive shop for a class of six.

Jamaica is inexpensive and easy to get to. From Atlanta I can be at a resort along the north coast (Falmouth or Runaway Bay) in time for lunch.

And it is just a darn nice place even if you just want to lay on the beach, eat jerk chicken and drink beer.

 

[dschonbrun]

I think that in the beginning, you want the best conditions, so you can relax, enjoy, and master the fundamentals. Consider visibility, minimal surge/current, water temp, and depth.

Grand Cayman was a wonderful place for my OW and AOW. There are several solid educational centers there, and numerous shallow dives that have interesting wrecks and marine life.
From the East coast, it's less than a 4 hour flight, and there are numerous affordable places to stay if you don't select peak weeks.

 

[hollyonashoestring]

I am going to have to agree with Tom and Iz (Hi guys!) That Curacao and especially The Dive Bus, is a great place to go have some chill yet spectacular diving and gain a bit more experience. All of these other suggestions are great (Mexico, other ABC islands, Bay Island and other parts of the Caribbean) because most of them have warm water, good visability, not too strong of currents and a diversity of dive sites. I agree that it is a good idea to dive in a location that you dont have to worry about anything other than improving your basic dive skills. Also, I would suggest choosing a dive operation that is more personal, not a big dive factory with really large groups, because then you can have more individual attention of the dive master/ dive instructor, which will most likely aid you into becoming more confident and independent divers. Check out The Dive Bus , in curacao because that is what they are all about.
Good luck and have a great vacation.

 

[herman]

You have gotten many good suggestions so far, Bonaire, Curacao, Fla Keys and others, any of them would make great trips. I would highly suggest you take advantage of a bunch of local divers and come join them/us for some quarry dives. The quarries don't offer that much to see but the experience and practice are priceless. We have an active group of divers both in the Charlotte and Raleigh areas, new buddies are always welcome, consider this an invitation to join us anytime. You may also want to join a group for your first dive trip, either through a dive shop or just some friends going diving. It's a big help (and relief) to have a group who knows where to go and what to do on your first dive trip.

TS&M when you make it to our coast you have a buddy if you need one....always worth the trip to see the first sand tiger encounter.

 

[Stu S.]

I wouldn't recommend offshore NC for brand new divers, and especially not for your first open water dives. Not at all. Personally I'd recommend one of the inland quarries -- the water isn't too cold yet and the vis should be clearing up since the water temp is dropping.

I agree. Don't do that one in the Winter. There is some Summer diving off Morehead City that can be warm and nice. Once you get a little more experience, you should do the Outer Banks.

Florida shops often take new OW graduates is Boynton Beach or West Palm Beach. Plenty of coral at 60 feet. It is a short boat ride to the reef, in easy sight of land. If you get queezy, sometimes seeing land can help.

Fort Lauderdale has great shallow diving, some at 35 feet. Jupiter and Pompano Beach are excellent, and a bit deeper. Those two are best with Nitrox. Last year we had some great dives off Pompano Beach on Christmas Eve.

If the ocean gets too rough for diving, South Florida has plenty of golf, too.

Have fun,

Stu

(formerly of Wilson, NC)