Who's going South?

[ScubaQ]

Anyone planning on going south this winter for a dive vacation? Where are you planning to go? Do you like diving in the south more than diving in the Great Lakes.

ScubaQ:bonk:

[taz22]

This year I decided to go with the gang at my LDS and sign up for the trip to Key Largo in Mid-March.

I've been lucky to have visited other carribean destinations, but to be honest, I like nothing better than what I see out my cottage window in the summer time and the great diving we have right here in Ontario.

[Tim Ingersoll]

Cayman Brac 1/03; Turks & Caicos 2/03; Cozumel 4/03. Never been in Lake Ontario with a scuba tank. What am I missing?

[Tractor Tom]

Guys,

I'm just getting back into diving after a long break, and have not been in the water in the Great Lakes in a long time. But we are going on a cruise leaving Ft. Lauderdale on 10 January and will stop at five different islands. I'll be making two dives on each of the following, St. Maartin, Barbados and St. Thomas. The dives are all set up, and my gear is all packed. I've been buying up new equipment this year, so a week ago, I put it all together and got in the tank at the LDS (The Dive Shop, Flint MI) and spent 30 minutes trying everything out. It was great, and it seems everything is working as planned. If you are interested, I'll write up a little 'dive report' after we get back on the 21st and let you folks know how it went. Oh, I'll be getting a dry suit this winter, and expect to do some diving on this side of the border starting after ice-out, and perhaps a weekend trip to Georgian Bay as well.

[sparky30]

I'm going on a Blackbeards cruise in February with a group from my LDS. Really looking forward to it. It will be my second time in salt water (1st time was in Nanaimo). Has anybody else done the Blackbeard thing? Can you share some info?
I can't wait to go :) Woohoo...

[ScubaQ]

You have never dove in Lake Ontaro? I take it you have never dove in the Great Lakes then. Great Lakes diving is main wreck diving, no coral reefs up here, althogh I have heard stories:bonk: If you get a chance give it a try, Try Tobermory or Kingston, Long Point is good, The St. Lawrance River is amazing, and by the end of the summer it can get as warm as 75 degrees

[ScubaQ]

I have heard that Blackbeards is great, but I have never done it. How much is it running you?

[Tim Ingersoll]

sparky30 once bubbled...
I'm going on a Blackbeards cruise in February with a group from my LDS. Really looking forward to it. It will be my second time in salt water (1st time was in Nanaimo). Has anybody else done the Blackbeard thing? Can you share some info?
I can't wait to go :) Woohoo...

OK. Any excuse to get wet. Maybe I'll post you next August and get some advise on a dive op up that way!

[Tim Ingersoll]

ScubaQ once bubbled...
You have never dove in Lake Ontaro? I take it you have never dove in the Great Lakes then. Great Lakes diving is main wreck diving, no coral reefs up here, althogh I have heard stories:bonk: If you get a chance give it a try, Try Tobermory or Kingston, Long Point is good, The St. Lawrance River is amazing, and by the end of the summer it can get as warm as 75 degrees

Ooops. Wrong quote on the one before. Sorry to all. The quote above should have been here below or something like that.

[Dundas]

i've done Blackbeards twice now... not bad for only diving a year!!!

it's fantastic.. great relaxing dive vacation...tons of diving... 18 dives 5 days... some deep, some wreck all cool!!!

have fun!!!

[sparky30]

ScubaQ once bubbled...
I have heard that Blackbeards is great, but I have never done it. How much is it running you?

Its US$680 or something like that.. So about CAD$1000..
I still have to get to Miami.. Checking into flight now.. Best one I've seen so far was CAD$430 from Buffalo. SO about C$1500 for the week. I can't wait.
I might look into a trip to Vancouver Island for the end of next year. That should be cheaper.. And its a different kind of diving.. cold saltwater.. (not so) pretty fish and wrecks.. They have it all on the west coast.

[CuriousMe]

They tell you ahead of time to bring collaspible luggage and not a lot of stuff.....but what they didn't tell me is that (besides your dive gear) you're sleeping with whatever you bring....now I don't say this to scare you off, but so that you don't overpack. We had a wonderful time, great diving, great crew...really a wonderful time.

Peace,
Cathie



sparky30 once bubbled...
I'm going on a Blackbeards cruise in February with a group from my LDS. Really looking forward to it. It will be my second time in salt water (1st time was in Nanaimo). Has anybody else done the Blackbeard thing? Can you share some info?
I can't wait to go :) Woohoo...

[Rooster1]

Cozumel January 25- February 1:out:

[ScubaQ]

Sound very affordable, Cozumel can cost 1900.00 for a week and that is with 4 days of diving built into it. BB's, while confinded to a boat, sound better and cheaper. Hell what are you going to do besides dive, and I'm serious. The last time my wife and I went to Coz, we go married there, the only real thing we did down was dive, dive, dive. It's great having a wife that loves diving as much as I do. Buying her a present is easy, and I get to use them sometimes, camera's, wreck reals,....

[wes]

ScubaQ,

How goes the boat? Ready to sink it as an artificial reef yet? :bonk: Seems like theres lots of interest in getting out there and doing the Sligo...myself included.

I'm actually going down to Florida in about a week 1/2 todo my cavern/cave intro. Unfortuntely I'm driving down and have to drive right back (got family coming in for Christmas), so I won't get a chance to play all that much. What are your plans for the winter?

I know you already know this, but, just drop me an email if you need any assistance/morale support getting your boat seaworthy. I'm looking forward to seeing this thing! :)

[ScubaQ]

Billy Boy,

Imagine running into you in place like this.

No the ScubaQ is not ready to be sunk as an artifical reef yet,... I haven't spent nearly enough money on it yet:bonk:

I am hoping to get some work done on her before the end of December. In January I am planning to finish the deck and Cabin. Care to freeze your ballz off:eek:

It's just hard as hell to find the time I need to do the work, but come hell or high water she'll be in the water for the spring.

As for my/our plans for winter, can't say. It's a secret, very hush hush, I could tell you but I'd have to kill you right afterwards.:rolleyes:

Are you planning on coming out for the New Years Day dive? We will be having the soup get together afterwards at our place as ussual. hhmmmm soup.......

ScubaQ

[ScubaScott]

I'm off to the Keys for March break............really wish I could do a liveaboard, or some exotic location, but I have to buy a new bathroom for the house in the spring instead........

SS

[snuggle]

im going down to the keys in feb for my first dive in the ocean and im really looking forward to it..any advice would be greatly apreciated though..been away from the board a while but its good to be back and see that its hopping as usuall

[taz22]

Asked my diveshop today about the place we are going in March in Key Largo and it is called "Kelly's on the Bay". The web link for this place is:http://www.aqua-nuts.com.

Has anyone been to this resort? If so, how would you rate it?

Cheers, Taz



:shades:

[eramosakarst]

In January -the 4th to the 13th.We will be going to Ginnie-Itchetucknee-TallahasseeAnd Crystal river.My girlfriend will be doing her O/W checkouts-i will be restarting my Nss-Cds training and we are going to take our daughter snorkelling with the Manatee.It is always a great time for diving/training and for anyone who hasn't experienced the manatee-i highly reccomend it! Safe Diving!

[sparky30]

snuggle once bubbled...
im going down to the keys in feb for my first dive in the ocean and im really looking forward to it..any advice would be greatly apreciated though..been away from the board a while but its good to be back and see that its hopping as usuall
I did my first ocean dive this year on the west coast.. my only surprise was the extra weight that I needed.. In Lake Erie in a drysuit with an AL80 I can get to the bottom with 20-25 lbs easy.. nice and comfy.. on the westcoas with the same setup they gave me 45 lbs, and I was still feeling a bit light.. LOL well at least underwater.. That's when I learned to appreciate the lead shot weight bags. :)