Best beginner / weekend-ish places?

[IndyDiver]

Originally Posted by Divalicious

Hey there

I don't see a thread specifically for this, so all things being equal, where are the best beginner dive destinations from the Continental US?

I know there is Cozumel and maybe Jamaica or the Bahamas or Caymans (prices aren't as good for those last three from Houston), but which ones would be best for true first time open water divers in terms of ease, comfort, low stress, etc.

Main criteria I'm going by:

1) Airfare - convenience (from Houston) + average price > $500 USD, preferably closer to $300!

2) Trip time - Ideally, I'm looking for a trip that could be done in a true weekend or long weekend (F-M).

3) Easy / Pretty diving - the "slow lane" of diving is a-ok for me! I.e., good visibility in blue water, 20-50 ft. reefs, easy entries, nice coral & fish.

So far, it looks like Cozumel may be the best bet, but I just wondered if there were any other favorites out there to watch for good prices?

For my money, I don't think the diving in Jamaica is that great. The other three all sound like winners. Can't beat some of the package deals you can get for Coz. I would add Key Largo to the list, too. It is cheap to fly to Lauderdale (it's only $79 from Indianapolis, so I assume Houston is cheap, and Hotwire usually has cars for $20 a day).

[Divalicious]

*grins*

Thanks all. I was looking at Key Largo, but someone from the local dive shop here said it was not that good for beginners - mostly deeper wreck diving?

The main reason I ask is because Mr. Divalicious has had a hellacious time with a leaky mask. He's tried several masks, and been checked out by a couple of instructors on this problem.

It's pretty random...like he'll get a good seal, but then just randomly have his mask flood, and be unable to get a seal once he clears it. We -think- he's either blowing air out and breaking the seal or when he breathes on the regulator the bubbles coming up may actually be breaking the seal.

Either way, it's pretty annoying and while he's not ready to abandon scuba, he is a bit reluctant to go into true "open water" still. So, I was wondering, if we can get the mask issue resolved (we're gonna try some sealant!)... where a few decent places for shallower dives were

Thanks!

[TJDiver]

Originally Posted by Divalicious

*grins*

Thanks all. I was looking at Key Largo, but someone from the local dive shop here said it was not that good for beginners - mostly deeper wreck diving?

The main reason I ask is because Mr. Divalicious has had a hellacious time with a leaky mask. He's tried several masks, and been checked out by a couple of instructors on this problem.

It's pretty random...like he'll get a good seal, but then just randomly have his mask flood, and be unable to get a seal once he clears it. We -think- he's either blowing air out and breaking the seal or when he breathes on the regulator the bubbles coming up may actually be breaking the seal.

Either way, it's pretty annoying and while he's not ready to abandon scuba, he is a bit reluctant to go into true "open water" still. So, I was wondering, if we can get the mask issue resolved (we're gonna try some sealant!)... where a few decent places for shallower dives were

Thanks!

Uh...someone told you wrong. While there are some deep wreck dives in the Keys, the majority of Keys diving is 15-30 foot reefs...especially as you travel on down into the Keys...Islamorado, Marathon, etc. If you really want mostly shallow reefs, go to the Marathon area in the Keys. Here's a link to some dive sites around Key Largo. Key Largo Scuba Diving Locations - Dive Spots As you can see, there's a good mixture there. Here's a link to some dive sites around Marathon. Marathon Scuba Diving Locations - Dive Spots As you can see, mostly shallow reefs there, sprinkled with a few deeper sites.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by Divalicious

*grins*

Thanks all. I was looking at Key Largo, but someone from the local dive shop here said it was not that good for beginners - mostly deeper wreck diving?

In the upper Keys, specially the north side of Key Largo, you would be hard pressed to get deeper than 30'. Horse Shoe Reef, North Dry Rocks, City of Washington all great shallow sites. Father south there's my all time favorite Keys site, Molasses. You could dive molasses the whole weekend and not get bored!

Whoever told you that has no clue about diving the Keys.

[IndyDiver]

Originally Posted by Divalicious

*grins*
Thanks all. I was looking at Key Largo, but someone from the local dive shop here said it was not that good for beginners - mostly deeper wreck diving?

The person at the LDS needs to stop drinking on vacation if it is going to affect his memory that way.

Hens & Chickens reef is arguably one of the best reefs in the keys for watching the fishies, and it is in 20 feet of water.

Davy Crocker reef is another great shallow reef which is in 25-30 feet of water.

The Christ of the Abyss statue, while not my favorite for coral and creatures, is very popular and very shallow. There are as many snorklers there as there are divers.

There are also a half-dozen reefs that I think are good dives in the 30-45 foot range. Some have moderate current and some are usually dead calm.

What is true about the Keys is that there is absolutely no shore diving; all the dives are boat dives. The reefs don't start until too far offshore to be able to swim to them.

This link has a great map and descriptions of the dive sites around Largo:
Dive Key Largo, Islamorada, Florida Keys with Rainbow Reef Dive Center;scuba diving:diving, Florida keys, florida diving

Note: No endorsement of them as a dive op is implied.

[rayaa3]

Originally Posted by Divalicious

*grins*


The main reason I ask is because Mr. Divalicious has had a hellacious time with a leaky mask. He's tried several masks, and been checked out by a couple of instructors on this problem.

It's pretty random...like he'll get a good seal, but then just randomly have his mask flood, and be unable to get a seal once he clears it. We -think- he's either blowing air out and breaking the seal or when he breathes on the regulator the bubbles coming up may actually be breaking the seal.

Either way, it's pretty annoying and while he's not ready to abandon scuba, he is a bit reluctant to go into true "open water" still. So, I was wondering, if we can get the mask issue resolved (we're gonna try some sealant!)... where a few decent places for shallower dives were

That sounds pretty annoying. I don't know if I would do a dive trip at all until I got that resolved...Not that I think the safety issue is that big, I would just hate to spend the $$ on a trip only to have 50% of my diving ruined...my advice is get solid in a swimming pool, then when you have confidence in it...take any one of the trips that have been suggested here.

As far as the problem itself, I can't offer much advice...it's never been an issue for me. I can pull pretty much any mask off the shelf and get a good fit, I guess I have an 'average' face...known for years it was an 'just' an average face, scuba just confirmed it

good luck, and I hope Mr. Divalicious finds the fix...diving is awesome.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Divalicious

*grins*

Thanks all. I was looking at Key Largo, but someone from the local dive shop here said it was not that good for beginners - mostly deeper wreck diving?

The main reason I ask is because Mr. Divalicious has had a hellacious time with a leaky mask. He's tried several masks, and been checked out by a couple of instructors on this problem.

It's pretty random...like he'll get a good seal, but then just randomly have his mask flood, and be unable to get a seal once he clears it. We -think- he's either blowing air out and breaking the seal or when he breathes on the regulator the bubbles coming up may actually be breaking the seal.

Either way, it's pretty annoying and while he's not ready to abandon scuba, he is a bit reluctant to go into true "open water" still. So, I was wondering, if we can get the mask issue resolved (we're gonna try some sealant!)... where a few decent places for shallower dives were

Thanks!

Could it be smile lines? Mask flooding is a normal part of scuba, unfortunately, which is why mask clearing is a mandatory skill for certification.

I know I have a mask that fits me well... unless I've been lax with shaving, in which case I can be guaranteed of clearing every few minutes throughout the whole d@*% dive. So some variability is normal, too.

There are some adhesive products that can help, as well. Some people use petroleum jelly to help with the seal, and there are a couple of products made for people with facial hair which could help as well.

Good luck!

[scubarobin]

yeah, sounds like someone has never been to the Keys and is giving you advice. Keys are great for beginners, that's why I suggested it. And yes, there are some deep wrecks, but if you don't want to do those, you don't. There are plenty of dives sites that are shallow, in fact, most dive sites are shallow!

As far as the mask, it is an issue I have had since I started diving. I have a narrow face, so no mask fits me perfectly. BUT I did find a mask that works as good as is possible, and it has a black skirt. The black skirted masks are more supple so they seal better than the clear ones. Much better! Some dives now I only clear my mask 2-3 times the whole dive! I used to clear every 2-3 minutes. Have him check those out, it might help.

[SammyJ]

This is a GREAT thread. I'm looking for good weekend trip from NC. Of course the NC coast is in play, but I want to stay off the outer banks till I get more comfortable. Wilmington has some great diving from what I hear, definitely plan on doing that.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by scubarobin

As far as the mask, it is an issue I have had since I started diving. I have a narrow face, so no mask fits me perfectly. BUT I did find a mask that works as good as is possible, and it has a black skirt. The black skirted masks are more supple so they seal better than the clear ones. Much better! Some dives now I only clear my mask 2-3 times the whole dive! I used to clear every 2-3 minutes. Have him check those out, it might help.

I prefer black-skirted masks as well, but there's nothing inherent in the black-colored silicon that makes it softer than clear silicon, just for the record. Each mask is different, regardless of color (or lack thereof).