Any other place ?

[giladshay]

Hi all,

I'd like to experience different diving sites in Phoenix area (else than Lake Pleasant & the Salt River. So far those were the only two places that I've dived at).

More specifically
The question is if there are any other places which conditions are good enough to experience at.
I heard that Pleasant is the best solution, but what about Saguaro Lake, or Canyon Lake ? Are those less than Pleasant ? Are there any other suggestions ?

Thanks for all responds.

 

[scubajcf]

Saguaro and Canyon have poor visibility (much less than Pleasant) and depths are fairly limited.

Pleasant has about 10 dive spots from the shore and a bunch more from boat. Check out the Scubateers or the Diver Down II for more options.

Salt River is great diving. Lots of buried treasure out there from the river dawgs.

Mohave is a great option. Incredible visibility (for a lake) and has good depth. Sunken van, bus and two boats are a big plus.

Colorado River (near Mohave) is a good river option. Be careful of boat traffic when diving.

Diving Mohave area has altitude considerations. Make sure you understand the ramifications of the 4000 foot increase in altitude. Anyone trying to dive Mohave (especially as a day trip) should be cautious. Mohave is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Phx.

Rocky Point is a decent option for day trip. RP is a 3 to 4 hour drive from PHX. Sun N Fun and Lea Rubeck offer reliable charters out of RP. Can be a bit expensive. Two Tank Boat Dives run over $100. There is some limited shore diving in the area. Check in with Sun N Fun as they have a good map for sites and can help you pick dive times according to the tides. Don't shore dive RP without some good local knowledge.

These are your Day Trip options. If you are looking overnight, it opens up a lot of possibilities with San Diego, Long Beach/LA.

Multiple night options include Catalina and San Carlos.

 

[giladshay]

Saguaro and Canyon have poor visibility (much less than Pleasant) and depths are fairly limited.

Thanks, that solves me a lot of doubts I had.

Pleasant has about 10 dive spots from the shore and a bunch more from boat. Check out the Scubateers or the Diver Down II for more options.

Thanks again.
Maybe I'll do so.

Salt River is great diving. Lots of buried treasure out there from the river dawgs.

Done it.
Treasure Hunting is nice.
However I need something which is more easier for my wife.
Fighting against current is not her favorite.

Mohave is a great option. Incredible visibility (for a lake) and has good depth. Sunken van, bus and two boats are a big plus.

That's a good one.
I heard about the the sunken stuff there.
It's nice of you to mension the height differences (plays an important role in Deco time).
4 hours drive...:doh2:
I don't know...
Maybe better to jump to Catalina/San Diego (another 1-2 hours).
By the way, I know Lake Mid is also far, but compare to Mohave- Which one is better ? (I know that there's sunken B-29 there. Unfortunately I'll not be able to do it with my wife as well, although I have a Tec certification as well).

Colorado River (near Mohave) is a good river option. Be careful of boat traffic when diving.

Colorado River is an option, just I don't know the difference between Colorado River & Salt River...
You see... driving so much for a river diving doesn't look to me that fun.
But again... it's an option.

Diving Mohave area has altitude considerations. Make sure you understand the ramifications of the 4000 foot increase in altitude. Anyone trying to dive Mohave (especially as a day trip) should be cautious. Mohave is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Phx.

Yup... we've spoke about it already.

Rocky Point is a decent option for day trip. RP is a 3 to 4 hour drive from PHX. Sun N Fun and Lea Rubeck offer reliable charters out of RP. Can be a bit expensive. Two Tank Boat Dives run over $100. There is some limited shore diving in the area. Check in with Sun N Fun as they have a good map for sites and can help you pick dive times according to the tides. Don't shore dive RP without some good local knowledge.

Heard lot about RP. Will try it soon.

These are your Day Trip options. If you are looking overnight, it opens up a lot of possibilities with San Diego, Long Beach/LA.
Multiple night options include Catalina and San Carlos.

Yup that's the best option, but not that close to Phoenix area.
Done it before & will try it again.


Thank you so much for the information.
pd:

 

[ScubaSteve2000]

If you are up for an overnighter think about Ventura, CA. About an hour north of LA. On weekends the Spectre dive boat offers 4 dives for $115. Stay on the boat overnight for free. Lots to do in Ventura Harbor.

 

[giladshay]

If you are up for an overnighter think about Ventura, CA. About an hour north of LA. On weekends the Spectre dive boat offers 4 dives for $115. Stay on the boat overnight for free. Lots to do in Ventura Harbor.

Sounds like great deal as well.
Again, too far from Phoenix, but promise to consider it if I'll get there.
Thanks :cool3:.

 

[divecon_nik]

I would have to second the trip to mojave. Its a really good diving experience. It was my first lake dive and better visibility than San diego areas depending on conditions. We had great visibility and a lot of fun diving there. Take a bouy and be careful where you pop up. lots of boats depending on the weekend. We have never had any issues but I see the potential. the busis a lot of fun to check out! You can stay in Laughlin, Nv. and have just a twenty min. drive.

 

[scubajcf]

Lake Mohave is much better than Mead (at least for shore diving).
Better visibility. More stable water levels. Easier Shore access.

Do some diving ... hang out in the casinos afterwards.
Sounds like a fun weekend to me.

jcf

 

[giladshay]

If you are up for an overnighter think about Ventura, CA. About an hour north of LA. On weekends the Spectre dive boat offers 4 dives for $115. Stay on the boat overnight for free. Lots to do in Ventura Harbor.

Well, John and myself decided to go and dive the Spectre on March 20th 2010.
We had a great time.
Attached a temporary link to a short underwater video clip:
http://213.8.106.62/diving/upload/giladshay-20.3.10-I.wmv
Enjoy it.

 

[ScubaSteve2000]

Not that it would have gotten you anything. Great video! From the surge I would guess you were on Underwater Island. The surge gets wild there. They always do a good job on the Spectre. What did you think of first GIANT STRIDE? You have time to think about it before you hit the water.

Steve.

Well, John and myself decided to go and dive the Spectre on March 20th 2010.
We had a great time.
Attached a temporary link to a short underwater video clip:
http://213.8.106.62/diving/upload/giladshay-20.3.10-I.wmv
Enjoy it.

 

[giladshay]

Not that it would have gotten you anything. Great video! From the surge I would guess you were on Underwater Island. The surge gets wild there. They always do a good job on the Spectre. What did you think of first GIANT STRIDE? You have time to think about it before you hit the water.

Steve.

Happy you enjoyed the video, though we didn't seeanything special in the dives we did.
The current/surge was strong that day, and the vis was bad, but... I'm OK with it.
All the dives were on the southern side of Ana-Capa.
By the way, I think that you forgot your tank on the Spectre, or something like that.
I hope to dive the lake this coming Sunday (April 4th).