Easy Diving Reachable from NYC?

[Sometimes]

So, I learned to dive a few years ago. I've logged about 30 dives in the last two years. Every single one of these dives, besides two cenote dives, has been from Cozumel. I love Cozumel and I love Mexico, but, I'm starting to realize that I don't love drift dives.

Maybe it's because I'm still new. Maybe it's cause my buoyancy isn't perfect yet. But, a few months ago, we had a dive in Cozumel that was my favorite dive ever. And, afterwards, I realized it's because our site had no current. I was able to just float and just be in the moment and I could move wherever I wanted to without having to kick hard against a current.

I want to experience that again. I'm ready to move on from Cozumel and have my next dives be somewhere else.

I live in NYC. I'm looking for somewhere in the Caribbean, hopefully with a direct flight, where I can see beautiful things, but also not have to fight a current. What are your favorite calm-water sites that meet these criteria?

 

[diversteve]

From Newark here are some good, generally low current options. All direct flights - some only on Sat. morning. Sort of listed by quality of diving IMO. Some are also direct from JFK.

Grand Cayman - most boat dives are 5-15mins. away and there's only 365 sites to choose from. Some have current, many don't. Plus there's 1/2 dozen protected shore dives. Lots of rays, the turtle is their national symbol and you can see sharks.
Providenciales, Turks/Caicos - all boat diving. The best is 45mins. by boat away but local diving isn't bad either. The only currents we found were at the drift dives. Lots of sharks off West Caicos - the 45min. ride.
Bonaire - virtually no current - it's pretty benign except at the far ends of the island. Shorediving capital of the world. Not a lot of big stuff - almost no sharks, lots of turtles and some rays.
Aruba - never been there
Nassau - 2 dive operations left - Stuart Cove's or Bahama Divers. Many dives (besides the paid feed) are pretty sharky.
USVI/BVI's - fly into St. Thomas and dive wrecks south of town, shallow reef diving to the east. St. John is 30mins. away by ferry - you can even "drive" over on the Red Hook car ferries. I don't remember any current off the East End, we did not dive south.

Moving over to the BVI's for a few days is simple also, there's almost hourly fast ferries between the islands. All thru the BVI's are shallow reef dives plus the RMS Rhone is dove by most of the shops. We liked Virgin Gorda a lot, Dive BVI is an exceptional operation. We went looking for drift dives one day or we would've never found any. Gorda is kind of quiet, lots of villas up in the hills, a few nicer beachfront resorts, stunning beaches and better restaurants than the population would indicate. It's a rich/famous playground, lots of big yachts,

hth,

 

[flyboy08]

Add in Roatan, Belieze, and Costa Rica.....all easy access from the Apple with little to no current diving. Plenty to choose from.....

 

[All Star Liveaboards]

So, I learned to dive a few years ago. I've logged about 30 dives in the last two years. Every single one of these dives, besides two cenote dives, has been from Cozumel. I love Cozumel and I love Mexico, but, I'm starting to realize that I don't love drift dives.

Maybe it's because I'm still new. Maybe it's cause my buoyancy isn't perfect yet. But, a few months ago, we had a dive in Cozumel that was my favorite dive ever. And, afterwards, I realized it's because our site had no current. I was able to just float and just be in the moment and I could move wherever I wanted to without having to kick hard against a current.

I want to experience that again. I'm ready to move on from Cozumel and have my next dives be somewhere else.

I live in NYC. I'm looking for somewhere in the Caribbean, hopefully with a direct flight, where I can see beautiful things, but also not have to fight a current. What are your favorite calm-water sites that meet these criteria?

Nassau, Bahamas and the Virgin Islands are both great options with non-stop flights, diversity of diving and low currents. There are a number of options in the Bahamas depending on whether you are interested in a land based operation or liveaboard. All Star Liveaboards has multiple levels of luxury to choose from, all departing out of Nassau/Paradise Island.

There are non-stop flights from New York to St. Thomas. From there you can stay on St. Thomas and dive with one of the local dive shops. You can also take a 45 minute ferry ride to the British Virgin Islands and either stay on island or join a charter vessel. The Cuan Law runs out of Tortola, BVI and gives you the best opportunity to visit multiple islands and a variety of dive sites. Around once a year we offer a special rate on the Cuan Law. August 27-September 2 the rate is $2,200, which is $645 off! This is all inclusive offering up to 19 dives for the week.

 

[JPEG]

There is a non-stop flight from Newark to Bonaire.

Though Bonaire is known for shore diving, I would highly recommend a boat diving package for you.

Compared to Cozumel, the Bonaire boat rides are a dream, ranging from about 3 to 12 minutes!

Bonaire boat diving is very easy and safe, I've never been exposed to major current, wind or waves.

 

[ronscuba]

Depending on the time of the year you can get direct flights to Grand Cayman, Curacao, Turks and Caicos.

For cheap and easy consider Florida Keys flying into Miami.

Although current can make it difficult to stay stationary it is the reason Cozumel reefs remain healthy and have larger marine life than other Caribbean destinations.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: New York, USA East

 

[ronscuba]

Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: New York, USA East

Shore diving in NYC ? I'll pass on that.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Doesn't look bad for a beach dive.

 

[ronscuba]

Looks to be around 10-15 ft viz. Area water temps peak at highs 60's. Maybe low 70's in the shallows.

Still a no for me. I know many love the local diving, but it is more about being underwater than seeing marine life.