New diver, planning trip to Florida in May, what is best area to dive and stay?
108179
Well, Tks....I would try PEACOCK State Park if you like cave diving.\n\nAnd if you want to get rich...you can dive for lost Spanish treasures!!!!  The Spanish dropped tons of gold there.  Not to mention the vast amount of gold dropped each year by people visiting Florida. Since the late 1800's people have been flocking to Florida's springs and beaches for health, sunshine and swimming. They're still coming in droves, and the wealth they leave in the state each year is calculated in billions of dollars!\n\nGood luck!!!  Don't forget me if you find a shipwreck!
23719
Great decision!\n\nThere are many places to get certified in San Francisco, but I favor Tom Yang at California Dive Center in San Bruno.\n\nSincere and dedicated, Tom makes diving enjoyable.  He pays attention to his students, and makes sure that you are safe and having a good time.  Very patient.  Tom gets a lot of recommendations, a significant portion of his class is referrals.\n\nWhen we moved back to the Bay Area, I called three instructors and decided that Tom was the best for us.  My recommendation would be to do the same.  Get at least two more recommmendations and talk to each of them.\n\nDiving is a lot of fun, and your dive instruction is an important part.  There are a lot of instructors, each with his/her unique style.  Having an instructor that you get along with and has a teaching style that you like will be very helpful.  Everyone learns differently, so teaching style and personality of the instructor is important.\n\nEnjoy!
988132
I dont live there . but come to Florida . Most of the state has swimming :)
374339
you should not have any problems finding a spot anywhere in florida there are rv parks every where good luck and have fun
819441
I think it would be awesome, so long as you're comfortable with water. :)  I've heard that Navy divers have great fun in their jobs.
33343
hawaii, is the best place for your specific time, since the climate, isnt too cold and isnt too hot, because it is hell in the summer!
492022
well im still an open water diver with no much experience, but i have to say, my best dive was Boracay island, Philippines and we brought pieces of bread along and when we took it out we suddenly surrounded buy all kinds of fish, i tried sticking the bread to my mask so the fish had to come near me to get the bread and so i could get a good look at them, wow it was really awsome.\nIf ever you happen to pass by the Philippines i suggest you go to boracay island for a dive it is great and not very expensive either and plus the beaches are really nice too.\n\nGood luck.
975304
Your wording of the question is going to throw many for a loop. I had to scratch my head for a second to figure out what you wanted.\n Everybody's cold tolerance is different and every dive is different as well. For example, mid summer diving in Tobermory Ontario on the Niagara II, outside the wreck a 5mm would be fine. Inside you need a 7mm or turn blue. That applies everywhere in the world. You never know about thermoclines, currents etc.\n I'd be asking at a dive shop that is local to the area you want to dive. They know the average water temps for that area for the time of year you're thinking of diving.\n Sorry, but the way the question stands, you really can't expect an accurate answer other than 3mm to 7mm two piece with hood.
845978
Palau is one of the most extraordinary diving spots on this planet. Far to the southwest of Micronesia the Republic of Belau (the traditional name) consists of an archipelago of 343 islands, spread north to south over 100 miles form the atoll of Kayangel to the island of Angaur plus five tiny islands, known as the southwest islands. \n\nPalau's profuse, unspoiled reefs offer a wealth of marine life, coral formations and wrecks. Dives begin in knee deep water and plunge straight down to depths of 1000 feet and more. \nBlue holes, huge caverns and an immense variety of rare and exotic marine species are easily accessible in clear water with visibility exceeding 200 feet. Vast numbers, not found anywhere else in the world, of large pelagic predators, sharks, turtles, dolphins and many species of migratory fish gather here at a unique crossroads of three of the world's major ocean currents. Land locked marine lakes, accessible from the sea through tunnels beneath the island's steep shorelines, are home to rare jelly fish, anemones and soft corals. \n\nPalau's famed "Rock Islands" are a collection of rounded, foliage-covered isles which seem to float above the surface of the water. A boat trip through them will reveal a number of magnificent white sand beach hideaways perfect for a secluded picnic or adventurous overnight stay. Below the water's surface, divers and snorkelers are treated to a diverse technicolor paradise of fabulous drop-offs, blue holes , breathtaking reefs, crystal caves and World War II wrecks. \n\nDiving & Snorkeling\nPalau offers an enormous number of diversified diving experiences not duplicated anywhere else in the world. There are over 100 different dive sites in and around the 90 mile coral lagoon and adjacent islands. \nPalau was named the Number One Underwater Wonder of the World by CEDAM -- a group of marine scientists and conservationists. \nOver 1300 types of fish inhabit the region, including manta rays, barracuda, sharks and giant clams. \nThe world famous Rock Islands are a divers "must" with magnificent wall diving at such legendary sites as Blue Corner, Ngmelis Drop-off, Blue Hole and Peleliu Corner. \nBecause of the clarity of the waters, snorkeling is excellent in or near almost all of the famous dive sites of Palau. \n\n Other Activities\nThere are a number of sightseeing tours available to visitors, including: \n\nRock Island Tour--boat ride around Palau's famous Rock Islands with picnicking \nStone Faces and Monoliths of Ngarchelong--hike through traditional villages and lovely jungle scenery to mysterious and ancient stone monoliths left by the early Palauans \nBelau National Museum--the oldest in Micronesia, offering a history of Palau through its handicrafts and artifacts. A fine example of a traditional bai (men's house) sits on the property. \nHelicopter Tours \nAir Tours \nAdventure Kayaking \nScuba Diving--various packages available \n\nCarp Island Resort\nCarp Island Resort, located on Ngercheu Island, sanctuary to frigate birds, white egrets and a variety of additional bird life, near the fabulous Ngemelis Dropoff, offers panoramic views of the Rock Islands. White sand beaches, littered with seashells, lure sunbathers. Daily transfers, a one hour boat ride from the city of Koror, depart the island at 8:00am and return at 4:00pm.\n\nComfortable accomodation ranges from individual bungalows, duplex seaside cottages and the divehouse, dormitory style for the budget conscious traveler or diver. The island restaurant offers a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seafood specials must be requested 24 hours in advance.\n\nCoral reefs teeming with brilliant marine life furnish world class diving for every level of certification, and snorkelers, alike. Certification courses are available at the dive center. Sports fishing excursions, bottom, casting and trawling, are available.
498696
If you want to live near the beach, that's clearwater or st. petersburg.  It's always going to be more expensive to live near the water, but you may be able to find some good deals if you look hard enough.  If you decide to live in the city, Hyde Park is a great area.  It's about 30min from the beach, is right in the heart of the nightlife and is just a great place to live.  It's one of the more coveted areas, so it's not the cheapest.  New Tampa is northeast of downtown tampa (near the Univ of South FL campus) and is the up and coming area of tampa.  No bad neighborhoods that i know of and all the developing residential neighborhoods make real estate a reasonable purchase.  (NT is the area where 75 and 275 merge if you check a map).  \n\nThe other person's recommendation of Brandon is not a bad one, but it's hit or miss there.  You have some nice areas that are just blocks away from some of the poorest and most dilapidated areas.  Good luck and welcome to Tampa!
77509
Actually, it depends where you want to go. Flordia and California between Feb. and April. If you can afford to go to have fun and not worry about finances, check motel guide. If it tells you when prices are highest, that is the best time to go.
87223
cedar keys!  and of course st augustine. i am from gainesville florida and miss it dearly though always went fishing at both places oh yeah lake lochaloosa!  have fun!!
390785
That's a great hobby you chose and not a more perfect location too!  I'm from Portland and what I suggest is do a search on the net in the yellow pages in the Portland area and lookup rec stores like REI or things like that and call 3 of them up and ask for suggestions on the best route to take when starting out windsurfing, oh, also hint:  Live and work in Vancouver, WA.  Right across the river, but cheaper to live, just as beautiful and if you work there, you don't have state taxes taken out and you can just drive 2 miles across the river and shop in Oregon for no sales taxes, yeah baby!  Good Luck on your new hobby!
600750
I highly recommend the Big Island of Hawaii. The underwater lava formations make for some GREAT diving, it's kind of lick diving on some strange planet but underwater of course. Good visibility, Great wildlife, check it out! They also have a night time Manta Ray dive with hughe manta rays, there is nothing like it. Have fun.
986889
Key West no doubt about it cool place! nice weather oh yea be sure you have a good car with a big gas tank to run from storms!
353821
Hi - I came across your insurance question and tried to email you.....also about the diving but they said your email has been 'unconfirmed' so my email wouldn't go through....you may want to check this out.  You may have to go into the email address you generated for this and acknowledge their link to confirm it so you can get emails.\n\nSo...I'm copying the email here:\n\nI don't know if this will help you at all....but at least you will have coverage...if it works.\n\n\nMy idea....if the house hasn't sold yet.  Tell the insurance company that you moved and that it is being rented.  If they need a copy of a lease... you can pick them up at any office max for $10.00.  Fake a signature...or better yet..if you have family or friends still by your old house see if they will sign the lease..just in case they need id's.  Had to do this after father-in-law passed away.  It worked.\n\nGood luck...I know it's a pain in the butt.\n\np.s.  I'm a scuba diver....but never been to N.C. to dive.  My favorite place is Curacao.  If you ever go there diving....let me know and I will tell you the best spot to stay...where you just walk down 27 steps with your gear straight into the ocean...great for new and experienced divers.  Gradually slopes from 5 feet to 200 feet.  Has overhanding cliffs to dive under and excellent for underwater photos.  Happy bubbles!!
892114
Any scuba school will typically start you off in some shallow enclosed water, usually a pool.  So beginning instruction can be done anywhere in the world in winter, since you'll likely be in an indoor pool anyway. :)