most wonderful scuba diving place

[timek]

Which was the most wonderful scuba diving place for you?

[rslomkow]

Point Lobos, California.

Sure the chances of visibility over 10m is slim, the water is cold (12C/54F).

But I have had some create dives there. The Canyons by Granite Point are just the right size that you don't feel closed in but you feel like you are flying. There wild life is rich, not a s brightly colored as Caribbean or even the lively parts of the Mediterranean, but the life is much denser and more varied. I love how there is life at every scale.

I have swam along side a grey whale, and observed the tiny shimps. Seen a mother sea-otter clean herself while her baby screamed next to her. Had a Harbour Seal check on one of my dive buddies dive computer. (He really was paying to much attention to his computer and didn't notice the seal right next to him, until it pulled on his arm to take a look at his computer.)

But there is ground cover from different types of snails and nudibranchs. At the shore when getting out there are always lots of crabs and rock fish hiding in the support wall for the parking spot.

Also I simply love kelp forests, and nothing else compares to them.

[timek]

other places?

[jordan hamilton]

One of the most interesting and wonderful places I ever dove was at the Cayman Islands. The water is warm , calm, clean and the visibility is unbelievable. There are many interesting dive sites around the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman offering plenty of different marine life, drop-offs and caves, through which one can pass safely. Some of the most interesting places to dive were the Bloody Bay Wall - full of marine life of many different species, the Sting Ray City -where you can dive and play with the friendly sting rays and the East End of Grand Cayman - where dozens of coves and reefs are still waiting to be explored. I wish every one could have a chance to dive at list once in this real diver`s paradise.
Jordan
www.hamiltonspearguns.com

[nostres]

Originally Posted by timek

Which was the most wonderful scuba diving place for you?

Bonne Terre Mines in Missouri. Closed lead mine explored by Jacques Cousteau back in the 60's. Crystal clear water, same temp. year round, diving down the stairs, elevator shafts, along tracks, "caves", tight crawling spaces then huge canyons.
http://www.2dive.com/pictures/adventure/index.htm



and of course, Spiegel Grove in Key Largo, FL
Grove: Dive the Largest Ship ever Intentionally Sunk for Scuba Diving, the LSD 32 "Top Dog" USS Spiegel Grove in Key Largo Florida, Dive Capitol of the World!

[DavidWarshaw]

Without doubt, Wakatobi in Indonesia. We went back a THIRD time last November. Did 18 days, seven on the Pelagian live-aboard and 11 at the resort. Critters galore (mostly the small kind, not for big stuff). Pristine reefs. Great dive operation. Did 52 dives during the trip... averaging 70+ minutes each. For photos, see: Wakatobi Dive Resort - October 2007 - a photoset on Flickr

[Beaner]

Originally Posted by DavidWarshaw

Without doubt, Wakatobi in Indonesia. We went back a THIRD time last November. Did 18 days, seven on the Pelagian live-aboard and 11 at the resort. Critters galore (mostly the small kind, not for big stuff). Pristine reefs. Great dive operation. Did 52 dives during the trip... averaging 70+ minutes each. For photos, see: Wakatobi Dive Resort - October 2007 - a photoset on Flickr

David,
Loved your photos, but looks like cold water. How thick were those wetsuits? Did you go in November? Do you know average water temps.
My husband & I are looking for a dream dive/tropical trip for our 25th anniversary in 2009 & Waktatobi is in the running.
Life's a beach, then you dive.

[DavidWarshaw]

Beaner... GO. It's a great anniversary adventure... and, as I note in your profile you live in the Midwest, I can understand you're desire for warm water. Same as we, since we live in New Jersey and don't find Jersey wreck diving (55 degree F) attractive!

This is what the Wakatobi Website says about temps: "Air temperature is in general around 30 °C during the day and nicely cooler in the evening. Water temperature is a fairly cool 26-28 °C (79-82°F). We recommend a full body 5 mm dive suit, especially for divers making several dives in a day."

I agree with this, although one person in our party dove in just a tee-shirt! My wife and I went in November our three trips. First two, we used a two-piece three over two, but it was old and probably not giving us full protection. This past year we used a new 5mm one-piece, and were very comfortable. Surface temps can be quite warm... and a lot of dive profiles put you up within 10 feet of the surface in wonderful coral gardens for the last 20 minutes of your dive... so it may be a bit like bath water. But dives AVERAGE 70 minutes... and you are doing at least three a day (more if you do some on your own). That's a lot of exposure, and getting chilled can take its toll. Also, getting chilled can affect Nitrogen uptake... and you are several hours from the nearest chamber in Bali.

Air temps can be very hot during the day, but the locally-built dive boats are totally shaded so you don't have to cook in your gear waiting for the pool to open.

Hope this helps. Happy to respond... either in thread or directly... with more info.

DAVID

[salibandy]

My favourite places have been Manado and the Lembeh Straits (superb muck diving) in Indonesia, and Richelieu Rock in the Similan Islands.

I would love to go to Sipadan and Mabul which are close to each other. I hear Mabul has great muck diving.

[maomag]

Sipadan is considered to be one of the best dive spots around the world..

anyways, have you heard of the Philippines? I'm from one of the many islands called Bohol & the place called Balicasag Island is also considered to be one of Bohol's Diving Heritage...

[salibandy]

What do you mean 'have I heard of Phillipines'? Of course I have!

I live close by anyway, in Singapore.

[wdaf]

My Top Dive Sites:
- Palau/Mikronesia - Sharks, Dolphines, Big schools of Baracudas and Jacks, Turtles, Manta, Small Stuff, Blue Holes, A Jellyfish Lake, Caves, Wrecks, Walldives, ... all seen in ONLY 5 days in Palau. My favourite was Blue Corner during the shark mating season.

Video

[augustus2]

For pelagics my vote is the socorro islands off baja in Mexico. Depending on the season you may see anything.

YouTube - Diving the Islas Revillagigedos of...

[seadive]

Red sea .. amaizing..
UK and Ireland.. Best coast to historical wreks dives..
Canary Islands.. (tenerife) for easy dives with a lot of life..

best regards from tenerife..
Pepe

[KwajSpearo]

Kwajalein Atoll, everything that was listed by wdaf, and more back in Jan. 02 Skin Diver mag. featured an article where they dived for 2 months everyday and didnt see everything there is to see. there are even wrecks to be discovered or re-discovered.