Good 'Cheap' Dive Destinations

[kiesel549]

My dad and I were looking into going on a 'cheap' dive trip this summer. He was certified in October and I just have to do my OW dives. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to travel to? Neither of us have a passport. It doesnt matter to us if we do my OW dives here or there.

Thanks for the help.

[Rainer]

Local will always be cheapest, not always best. In the US, I've only dived FL (OW checkout), CA, and MA (a lot). All three are great, but CA and MA are cold, even in the summer. Might want to get down to FL (e.g. Key Largo) and hit those reefs.

[kiesel549]

do you have any suggestions on dive centers down in key largo?

[EvaL]

Without passports I would recommend Hawaii (Big Island) or FL Keys for warm water dives. The Keys are probably cheaper - you can fly into Miami, rent a car and drive 1 hour to Key Largo. 3 to 4 star motel room rates can be as low as $80/night in summer. In KL, my favorite dive ops are Ocean Divers and Silent World, both are friendly and safety-conscious (OD has 2 dive boats offering a choice of dive sites; SW is lower priced and they sell gear at competitive prices). If you'd rather head to Hawaii, in Kona (west side of Big Island), my favorite dive op is Jack's Diving Locker. Great dusk dives to see feeding manta rays and hunting moray eels. For all these dive ops, there are significant discounts if you do multiple dives with them.
PM me if you need more info. Good luck to getting your OW c-card!

[Rainer]

Having only gone diving with one op, you'd be better off posting that question in the FL section. They'd be able to give you many great options.

[Diver Dudes]

Hi Fellow Ohioan. I lived in fla since 91. My son and I have been cert for 2 yrs. Our first trip was to Key Largo. We stayed at Amy Slates (Amoray Dive ). They have rooms on the grounds, nothing fancy but very convenient, Was tubs, ect. The 45 ft pontoon is in there back yard. They only go to santuary reefs. Molasses reef was the best. check it out

[Moby Dick]

If you are around the northern part of ohio there are several quarry's to cut your teeth on. Gilboa is an excellent place to start and they do have bunk houses or apartments. Lots of things to see in a somewhat secure enviroment. Once you've been in the water Lake Erie is the best! Several wrecks available in your operating range.

[robint]

having been to both the Keys and Kona, I would say the diving in Kona was waaaaay better. Easy diving, lots and lots of fish, no fire coral for those buoyancy challenged beginners. So if you can swing the price (yes, Hawaii is more expensive than Keys) I would go there. Plus if you go to Kona for a few days of diving you can also go hike the rainforests one day and the volcanos another day. Really fun.

robin

[Moby Dick]

Check this site out. They are offering a weekend trip for $300.00 Canadian.http://www.scubaont.com/waruwanago/
Feel free to email me. My son and I are going and I know he has some space left. Here is a flyer.
POOR MAN’S
WEEKEND GETAWAY

AUGUST 11 & 12 2007

Boat leaves from Wheatley Ontario 8:00 AM Saturday
Approximately a 4 ½ hour drive from Niles, Ohio
Returns late afternoon Sunday
Dive 8 different shipwrecks and possibly a night dive

Meals Provided
Lunch both days (hotdogs/hamburgers)
Saturday dinner steak or fish
Sunday breakfast bacon & eggs

Sleep onboard the boat (Josh II)
Air refills available
Total cost $300.00 (Canadian)

Depths will range 60-85 feet
Surface temp. should be 70+ F

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS
Contact : Jeff Omstead jeffo@mnsi.net
www.geocities.com/waruwana