Trip advice wanted - diving Southern US

[edlong]

I am planning a short trip (5 days) in March starting from Houston but I dont necessarily have to end up back there. I have looked at Cozumel and the Florida Keys but the accommodation seems to be a bit on the expensive side. I am travelling on my own (wife free), am not too concerned about the standard of accommodation and dont want to spend too much money on it. The diving on the other hand IS important and I dont mind spending my hard earned cash on that. I have never dived in the US or Caribbean so would like some advice on where is best. I dont have much experience, 35 dives, have a Padi AOW cert and like wrecks & marine life. Thanks in advance guys.

[Lulubelle]

Originally Posted by edlong

I am planning a short trip (5 days) in March starting from Houston but I dont necessarily have to end up back there. I have looked at Cozumel and the Florida Keys but the accommodation seems to be a bit on the expensive side. I am travelling on my own (wife free), am not too concerned about the standard of accommodation and dont want to spend too much money on it. The diving on the other hand IS important and I dont mind spending my hard earned cash on that. I have never dived in the US or Caribbean so would like some advice on where is best. I dont have much experience, 35 dives, have a Padi AOW cert and like wrecks & marine life. Thanks in advance guys.

Some magazines say that my home state of NC, and in particular, the area near Morehead city, offers the best diving in North America (deep wreck dives). Personally, I do not dive here in March, too cold for me!

South Floridians, weigh in here, I suspect edlong will be better off in your waters in March.

L

[Vercingetorix]

I own a travel agency in Texas. If you want to do a couple days in Coz, you can get'er done with a package deal. I mention this only because you're coming all the way from Europe. The Caribbean is some of the best diving, and it's warm.

There is no Texas diving I'd recommend. It tends to be quarries and lakes. All cold.

If you're a ScubaToys fan, ST is located in Carrollton; just a five-hour drive north on I-45. Stop in and see what we're all talking about.

[Splitlip]

I'm partial to my back yard.

Scuba Diving Magazine - Palm Beach, Fla.

If you think of coming this way, touch base with me regarding accomodations.

I see the article did not go as far South as Boynton.
Kevin's OP here is superb. The diving is a bit more shallow,

The Boynton Dive Chronicles (new and improved) - ScubaBoard

[clayton]

Have done many dives out of fort lauderdale and love the area great reefs and wrecks.and warm waters.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

If you think of coming this way, touch base with me regarding accomodations.

Looks like SplitLip is offering to let you crash at his place. Bring beer.

[CamaroChick]

From Houston, there are direct flights to Roatan - its about a 3 hr trip. Accomodations there are very inexpensive, and so is the diving since the reef is so close. About $25-$30 per tank for boat dives. The reef is beautiful, and there are some cool wrecks if you can go deep (110 ft).

[fireflock]

Houston is a short skip to Cozumel. There are budget hotels there, you just have to know where to look.

I've stayed in places for $40 a day including breakfast. You can go even cheaper if you want to.

Check out places like Alicias Bed and Breakfast Cozumel Mexico/Cozumel Diving/Cozumel Hotel/Cozumel Scuba/Cozumel Snorkel
and
Hotel Pepita (Cozumel, Yucatan Peninsula) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

Best of luck-

[georoc01]

Since you are in Houston, how about the Flower gardens on the spree or fling?

Gulf Diving LLC - Welcome!

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by georoc01

Since you are in Houston, how about the Flower gardens on the spree or fling?

Gulf Diving LLC - Welcome!

Do either of those have trips in March? Just check myself. Fling has trips but not the Spree.