Hi from NJ

[rvojr]

Hi Everyone,
I live in southern NJ and was SCUBA diver certified about a month ago. I'm not sure where this is going but will retake advanced SCUBA and rescue next year to get better. Hopefully with some warm, blue water diving to balance out the cold, green water diving i have experienced in Dutch Springs over the last month or so.

 

[BikerBecca]

Hi,
Welcome to the awesome world of scuba!!! I'm a native NYer, but now I'm in NorCal and get to dive the amazing kelp forests in Monterey.

Is Dutch Springs a fresh water lake? Have you dove in the Atlantic?

~Rebecca

 

[pconsidine]

Dutch Springs in Bethlehem Pa. is a limestone Quarry which has been a scuba site for past 30 years with multiple attractions underwater along with plenty of training platforms for instructors to teach.

 

[rvojr]

I dove a resort course in the Bahamas and other than that only Dutch Springs.

 

[ScubaJCBS]

hello from NC

 

[doctormike]

There is spectacular diving in your area, and it isn't at Dutch Springs!

Check out some local NJ photos and video...

 

[rvojr]

Those may be out of my league for a while with dry suits, but there is great ocean diving here from what I hear. A lot of spearfishing and lobstering.

 

[doctormike]

Those may be out of my league for a while with dry suits, but there is great ocean diving here from what I hear.

Spectacular. And some people do dive wet, but you are right, dry suits are commonly worn in these waters.

Something to consider - if you dive dry and live in New Jersey, you have access to great diving year round, and not just when you can get away to the Caribbean. Your diving will progress so much more quickly if you love it and if it's a regular thing. Being comfortable makes all the difference. Plenty of people start diving dry early on in their diving careers, and you can often pick up a used dry suit pretty cheaply - check out the annual scuba flea market in Tom's River in February.

 

[-JD-]

If you are looking for buddies to dive with at Dutch, check out the Dutch Springs dive site section and Buddy Wanted sub-forum on DiveBuddy.com. Most weekends, there is a collection of folks from Baltimore/DC metro up into NY state there, including SNJ folks. It is a good way to coordinate.

 

[rvojr]

Thank you for all the advice. It is very valuable!