Best US Trip

[Billy Poore]

Hey guys. Long time lurker and first time poster. I own a time share in Cayman and every year we spend a week there for Spring Break. This year however some "complications" have arisen and we will not be able to go. This leaves me with a need to find some great diving in the US. I'm looking for a great dive trip but am interested more in shore diving. I travel with a group of five and we tend not to enjoy boat dives as much as an unrestricted shore dive. Distance is not a factor and if necessary we can trailer my 32' boat with us, however due to the decreased mpg this option is not my favorite. Any suggestions?

[fisheater]

Cold or warm water?

[smellzlikefish]

I'd cast a vote for Big Island. If you meant continental US, I'm all out of ideas.

[DeputyDan]

You are looking at cold water diving.

[tajkd]

By boat, I would vote key largo. Now, San Diego offers some great shore sites. Pacific northwest would be a good call also.

[Billy Poore]

Cold or warm water does not matter. Im from Northern Maryland. All we have are cold water quarries locally

[jameseg]

Recommend Catalina Island, off Los Angeles. Great shore diving at Casino Point, plus several dive operators that can take you to other parts of the island if you want. Recommend Scuba Luv, who runs the King Neptune, a good sized boat. I assume spring break is off season there, so accomodations should be quite reasonable.

James

[Billy Poore]

After some discussion last night with the guys, Key West seems to be the favorite among the group. We would most likely trailer the boat, however my question now is on the location of the actual dive sites. Any good sites with GPS coordinates?

[lmorin]

I think the diving off Key Largo would be overwhelmingly better than off Key West.

[Billy Poore]

I took your advice and checked out Key Largo and I have to agree it looks much much better. I think our plan will be to rent a boat once down there since we will only be staying for 4 days or so. The cost and hassle of trailering the boat down out weighs what it would cost to rent a boat. I found a great place on Key Largo that rents Scuba tri-hull pontoon boats.