Where to go this weekend? Lake Travis, South Padre, Florida, Alabama?

[tholden1]

I live in DFW and want to do some diving this weekend so I'm looking for a good spot to go. I'm not an advanced diver and I'm looking for something 60ft or less and rather easy. Some of my thoughts were:

1. Lake Travis, Austin

It's close and I wouldn't need a boat to get to a dive spot and it would be cheaper to dive more that day. However, it's a lake and I'm not sure how good it would be this weekend (visibility, temperature, crowded, etc.). I've never dove there.

2. Pensacola or Destin Florida

It looks like clear, nice water in the pictures. However, there is a storm coming in tomorrow. It said it's going to be only 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms for the weekend but I'm concerned that it will just be dark and stormy and either the boats won't go out to the dive spots, or the seas will be very rough, or visibility would be impacted. Also, I'm driving so this would take away a couple of days due to the drive.

3. Alabama

Same concerns about the weather. Also, I don't know if the diving is any good here due to the oil or general conditions.

4. South Padre Island

It's a bit of a drive, but less than Alabama or Florida. There seems to be only a couple dive shops there and I don't know if there's a lot of places to go that are good. I know they have the clipper there but I'm not an advanced diver. The weather will be great though.

I would appreciate any advice. I'll leave out tomorrow, somewhere. Right now I'm leaning towards Lake Travis because it's closer and it's cheaper (because I won't need to charter a boat to dive). But, if South Padre or some other place is a lot better, I'd drive there and spend a bit more.

Thanks for your help.

 

[paulw]

Well Lake Travis will surprise you this year, go out with Lake Travis Scuba on their boat Their Giant Stride and at several spots the vis is 15 to 20ft and nice treasure hunting (sun glasses and such). Great for Travis.. Welcome to Lake Travis Scuba

South Padre has the "Clipper" and several off shore rigs and I hear the vis has been in the 70 to 80ft range. It is gulf diving and you never know what to expect but fun. I dive with American Diving South Padre Diving, South Padre Activities, South Padre Snorkel Trips .

The others I can't comment on. I'll be at Travis Saturday and maybe on the Giant Stride so maybe I'll get to meet you! Have Fun...

 

[svnipp]

I'm really hoping for the great vis. I'm planning on heading down to dive with Lake Travis Scuba on Sept 11th. Since I'm a really new diver, not quite certified yet, I would really appreciate good vis. Finding some loot on the bottom to fund some of my soon to be purchased gear would also be most appreciated. Mainly I'm just really excited about getting out and in the water.

I've heard tons of great things on the boards here about Lake Travis Scuba so this makes me that much more eager. Hopefully I'll have some first hand knowledge in just a few short weeks. I'll be sure to share my experiences with you guys.

 

[tholden1]

Well, after much debate and research I've decided to dive Lake Travis. I'll try Lake Travis Scuba one day as well.

Thanks everyone for there help.

 

[ZzzKing]

All things being equal, I'd go to the Keys if I was looking for some good dives at less than 60'.

All things aren't usually equal. You'll have fun at Travis, though.