Love the photos! Can't imagine how many years it will take me to get just one picture 1/2 as good as any that I've seen you post. (On the other hand, just think of all the diving I'll have to do to practice...)
Time in the water is the key. I see you are just getting started... work on your diving skills first, get comfortable in the water. That's the most important thing. Get your advanced certification, it will add many more possibilities to the places you can dive. In all the posting from the last two weeks, most require an advanced certification. I used to live in VA, so I know it's not an everyday opportunity to dive like we have here. Who are you diving with when you are here?