New Orleans Diving

[eggman131]

Hi everyone - I'll be visiting and hope to dive in New Orleans shortly after the new year. I've read a few posts that mentioned dive sites are a good two hours or so from downtown. Just thought I'd get a locals perspective--are there quarries, lakes, reservoirs that are divable in the area? I'm a newbie (7 dives) so nothing too advanced.

What are water temps like?

Recommend a LDS?

Thanks for your help!

eggman

 

[captain]

Most diving is done under the oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. On most dives you never see he bottom because of depths of 200 feet plus or because of the murk layer on the bottom in shallower water. At times currents can quite strong and weather is iffy in the winter which affects long range plans. A trip usually involves at least a one hour drive and a one to two hour boat ride.
That being said, diving under the platforms is some of the most exciting diving anywhere. There are large and small fish of all types including tropicals, florida lobster, and some soft corals.
Visibility can reach 100 plus feet. Temps in the summer reach the high 80's and 50's in the winter.

Captain

http://www.harrysdiveshop.com/
http://www.thescubaco.net/
http://chags.com/
http://www.helldivers.org/
http://captaintroywetzel.com/

 

[Pam_In_Paradise]

The Capt is right about oil platform diving being exciting, however, IMHO this is not the type of diving for newbies! I have been diving the oil rigs off the coast of Texas and I can tell you that it the most challenging type of diving I have done. The other DiveMasters and Instructors on that trip would tell you the same thing. Currents are unpredictable from one moment to the next including up currents and down currents which make it difficult to maintain your desired depth and also to stay within the platform structure itself. For what it's worth - get some more experience with other kinds of diving. I hope you gets lots of ideas of some places to dive while you are in the area!
Be Safe and Happy Diving!
Pam