Fly-in SCUBA trips

[Michael 182]

I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
suggest?

Thanks,

Michael

[John Harlow]

Michael 182 wrote:
> I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less
> experienced pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking
> for some some fly and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp
> in Key Largo. I assume MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any
> other destinations people suggest?

Where are you flying from? I and the fiance are recently OWD certified and
interested in the same kind of thing. We're in Virginia.

I understand there are some neat wrecks off Hatteras island on the NC outer
banks, but we have not dived them yet - . I believe they recommend nitrox
for those.

We dove Key Largo a couple months ago. Checkout the Spiegel Grove if you're
in that area - it's quite cool. http://www.spiegelgrove.com/

[Friedrich Ostertag]

Hi Michael,

a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me, as the
nitrogen accumulation aquired during SCUBA-Diving restricts even
commercial flying for up to 24 hours after a dive. General
recommendation for PADI-Divers is to refrain from diving for 24 hours
before commencing a flight. So unless you plan on staying several days,
your diving would have be very limited.

regards,
Friedrich

--
bitte für persönliche Antworten die offensichtliche Änderung an meiner
Adresse vornehmen

[Michael 182]

I'm in Colorado, my brother is in Maryland - we'll fly anywhere, but the
East Coast is probably easiest.

Thanks for the info.

Michael

"John Harlow" > wrote in message
...
> Michael 182 wrote:
> > I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less
> > experienced pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking
> > for some some fly and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp
> > in Key Largo. I assume MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any
> > other destinations people suggest?
>
> Where are you flying from? I and the fiance are recently OWD certified
and
> interested in the same kind of thing. We're in Virginia.
>
> I understand there are some neat wrecks off Hatteras island on the NC
outer
> banks, but we have not dived them yet - . I believe they recommend nitrox
> for those.
>
> We dove Key Largo a couple months ago. Checkout the Spiegel Grove if
you're
> in that area - it's quite cool. http://www.spiegelgrove.com/
>
>

[Peter Duniho]

"Friedrich Ostertag" > wrote in message
...
> a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me

Well, it's not at all. As even you have managed to observe, one need not
fly immediately after diving. Spend an extra day to do some sightseeing,
for example. Also, the limits are dependent on how deep and how long the
dive was, as well as what altitude the flight is planned for. I doubt a
climb to 1000' would be much of an issue, regardless of what sort of dive
preceded it.

Lots of people combine flying and diving. As with any other activity where
the potential for danger exists, one does need to exercise caution, but it
doesn't mean it's an impossibility.

Pete

[Michael 182]

Yeah, I understand the decompression issues. Our diving will not be deep. We
will stay for a few days - snorkel the last day. Also, commercial aviation
cabins are pressurized to about 8,000 feet. We can fly much lower than that.

Thanks,

Michael

"Friedrich Ostertag" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Michael,
>
> a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me, as the
> nitrogen accumulation aquired during SCUBA-Diving restricts even
> commercial flying for up to 24 hours after a dive. General
> recommendation for PADI-Divers is to refrain from diving for 24 hours
> before commencing a flight. So unless you plan on staying several days,
> your diving would have be very limited.
>
> regards,
> Friedrich
>
> --
> bitte für persönliche Antworten die offensichtliche Änderung an meiner
> Adresse vornehmen
>

[Jon Woellhaf]

Grand Cayman via the Cayman Caravan.

http://www.cayman-caravan.com/

I want to go too!

Jon

"Michael 182" > wrote in message
news:lQ71c.167435$uV3.715352@attbi_s51...
> I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
> pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some
fly
> and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
> MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
> suggest?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael
>
>

[Scott Lowrey]

Michael 182 wrote:
> I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
> pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
> and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo.

Wow, Pennekamp State Park. I snorkeled there 10 years ago and have good
memories of the place. Fairly clear water, Barracudas like ghosts
hovering in the fog... and a tourist who swam into the shallows of the
reef and cut himself up despite all the warnings we received on the boat
ride out. :)

Please share your experiences if you go!

-Scott

[CFLav8r]

Ah! One of my favorite questions...
A question that combines two out of three of my favorite
things to do (scuba, flying, boating).
If your flying to Marathon you can dive right from that key,
you don't have to go to all the way up to Key Largo.
But if it is Key Largo that your seeking then I would fly into
Homestead X51 it is only 26 miles by car to Key Largo
versus almost 60 miles from Marathon to Key Largo.
Keep in mind that there is plenty of excellent diving from
Miami down to Marathon so you could actually fly into
Tamiami airport (KTMB) and use Florida City hotels
(cheapest rates) as your base of operations.
Unless of course you would like to try some
cavern/ spring diving then I would recomend GNV, OCF or ORL.
If you do find yourself up in Central Florida
let me know and I'll point you to some really interesting spring dives.

Webmaster/Divemaster Dave PP-ASEL
See also: www.floridascubadiver.com my website (not for profit)

[lance smith]

Hi Micheal,

Well since you're in Colorado isn't the west coast closer? And with
summer coming around southern california is a great place to dive. A
good fly-in/dive-inn place would be Catalina Island.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/avx

Fly in, take a short taxi ride ($15 for 2) to avalon and stay in one
of the nice hotels/resorts. The diving ranges from beginner to
advanced, shallow to deep, visibility is usually great and there is
good/quite nightlife. Check out casino point for a good intro dive.
One interesting thing about the island is that there are very few
cars. Every place can be walked to, but the locals are too lazy so
there are golf carts everywhere. Sunny San Diego has good diving too
but I wouldn't consider it fly-in diving : (

Florida has good diving too (of course). As far as the keys go the
more north you go the better the diving is. So since key west is the
most southern point the diving there sucks the most (in the keys). The
Spiegel Grove is something else, you have to see that. I'd do two
dives on it, if an operator says you have the option to dive elsewhere
for dive #2 turn it down(Diver City in Key Largo recommended). For
something more challenging check out Splash Down Divers in West Palm
Beach/Boynton. They offer drift dives off the coast, it's something
else and something you don't get in Colorado.

for more Florida dive info check out my 2002 trip report in
rec.scuba.locations. (do a search of "lance smith florida" on
groups.google.com and it'll be the 1st one up)

-lance smith


"Michael 182" > wrote in message news:<lQ71c.167435$uV3.715352@attbi_s51>...
> I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
> pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
> and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
> MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
> suggest?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

[ET]

"Michael 182" > wrote in
news:JP81c.165927$jk2.607478@attbi_s53:

> Yeah, I understand the decompression issues. Our diving will not be
> deep. We will stay for a few days - snorkel the last day. Also,
> commercial aviation cabins are pressurized to about 8,000 feet. We can
> fly much lower than that.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael
>
> "Friedrich Ostertag" > wrote in
> message ...
>> Hi Michael,
>>
>> a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me, as the
>> nitrogen accumulation aquired during SCUBA-Diving restricts even
>> commercial flying for up to 24 hours after a dive. General
>> recommendation for PADI-Divers is to refrain from diving for 24 hours
>> before commencing a flight. So unless you plan on staying several
>> days, your diving would have be very limited.
>>
>> regards,
>> Friedrich
>>
>> --
>> bitte für persönliche Antworten die offensichtliche Änderung an
>> meiner Adresse vornehmen
>>
>
>
>

Get a dive computer for sure,.. they can be had in the $200 range. It
tells you exactly when you can fly, and also gives you a hint as to when
to STOP diving if you have to fly the next day.

--
ET >:)


"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams

[Friedrich Ostertag]

Hi Michael,

> Yeah, I understand the decompression issues. Our diving will not be
deep. We
> will stay for a few days - snorkel the last day.

For whatever reason i was under the impression, that a Fly-in trip
would be more like a day trip, although you didn't say so. If you have
your own plane and can just leave it parked for a few days of course
it's not more of a problem than with commercial flight.

regards,
Friedrich

--
for personal email please remove "entfernen" from my adress

[Kyler Laird]

"Michael 182" > writes:

>I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
>pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
>and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
>MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
>suggest?

The next time I go down there I hope to stay at Sugar Loaf Lodge
http://www.sugarloaflodge.com/airstrip.htm
and do some diving. It looks like a great place.

--kyler

[Kyler Laird]

"Friedrich Ostertag" > writes:

>a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me,
>nitrogen accumulation aquired during SCUBA-Diving restricts even
>commercial flying for up to 24 hours after a dive.

Yeah, last time I went diving in Key West and climbed to 2,000'
for the flight back to Naples I could almost hear the nitrogen
bubbling.

Anyone who is interested in real information about diving and
flying should get involved with DAN.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/news/article.asp?newsid=210

--kyler

[John Clear]

In article >,
Kyler Laird > wrote:
>"Friedrich Ostertag" > writes:
>
>>a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me,
>>nitrogen accumulation aquired during SCUBA-Diving restricts even
>>commercial flying for up to 24 hours after a dive.
>
>Yeah, last time I went diving in Key West and climbed to 2,000'
>for the flight back to Naples I could almost hear the nitrogen
>bubbling.

2,000ft shouldn't be a problem, since the pressure change from
-15ft to sea level is the same as the change from sea level to
18,000ft.

Spending an extra day is still the best way though.

John
--
John Clear - http://www.panix.com/~jac

[Jeff]

Michael
the wife and I are both PADI divers, I would suggest you get a computer, a good
one will keep track on how long you have been under water and monitor your
depth and will calculate when you can fly. Its more precise then using a paper
and pencil to figure it out.

california sucks for diving, the water is cold and its kinda boring. Florida
has shark dives that are real fun. we went on a shark dive off palm beach and
dove off the keys, lots to see there. If you want to see some neat diving pics,
we had a photographer take these when we dove of the Turks and Caios islands.
that was some good diving.
http://www.turboarrow3.com/diving/index.html


Michael 182 wrote:

> I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
> pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
> and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
> MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
> suggest?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

[Jeff]

we dove off the channel islands a couple of years ago, took a dive boat from LA to the channel islands, 4 dives.
Did not like it at all, not near as nice as diving off florida or in the Caribbean. Water is to cold off
california for me. I had to wear hood and gloves as well as a thicker suit.


lance smith wrote:

> Hi Micheal,
>
> Well since you're in Colorado isn't the west coast closer? And with
> summer coming around southern california is a great place to dive. A
> good fly-in/dive-inn place would be Catalina Island.
> http://www.airnav.com/airport/avx
>
> Fly in, take a short taxi ride ($15 for 2) to avalon and stay in one
> of the nice hotels/resorts. The diving ranges from beginner to
> advanced, shallow to deep, visibility is usually great and there is
> good/quite nightlife. Check out casino point for a good intro dive.
> One interesting thing about the island is that there are very few
> cars. Every place can be walked to, but the locals are too lazy so
> there are golf carts everywhere. Sunny San Diego has good diving too
> but I wouldn't consider it fly-in diving : (
>
> Florida has good diving too (of course). As far as the keys go the
> more north you go the better the diving is. So since key west is the
> most southern point the diving there sucks the most (in the keys). The
> Spiegel Grove is something else, you have to see that. I'd do two
> dives on it, if an operator says you have the option to dive elsewhere
> for dive #2 turn it down(Diver City in Key Largo recommended). For
> something more challenging check out Splash Down Divers in West Palm
> Beach/Boynton. They offer drift dives off the coast, it's something
> else and something you don't get in Colorado.
>
> for more Florida dive info check out my 2002 trip report in
> rec.scuba.locations. (do a search of "lance smith florida" on
> groups.google.com and it'll be the 1st one up)
>
> -lance smith
>
> "Michael 182" > wrote in message news:<lQ71c.167435$uV3.715352@attbi_s51>...
> > I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
> > pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
> > and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
> > MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
> > suggest?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Michael

[Dave S]

The general recommendation for PADI divers is based on the typical
cabin altitude in pressurized airliners of around 8k feet, with the
potential for decompression as well. I will quote the text verbatim from
the 1990 version of their open water dive manual. I'm sure that there
are later versions out there with prettier colors and pictures, but the
basics are pretty universal.

1) if you've made a single no-decompression dive with less than 1 hour
of bottom time, wait at least 4 hours

2) if you have made a signle no-decompression dive with more than 1 hour
of bottom time, or if you have made a repetitive dive, wait at least 12
hours.

3) If you've made any dive requiring EMERGENCY (emphasis mine)
decompression, wait at least 24 hours.

The text goes on to state these are minimums only, and that whenever
possible a 24 hour wait is advised in all cases. Emergency decompression
applies to an unplanned stop, not your routine "safety stops" they
recommend. Of course, you can dive by the book, and never bust a limit
and still possibly get bent afterwards without ever getting on a plane..
people are individuals.

My personal stance is if I'm going to fly-in to a dive trip, I will at
least spend the night and depart the next morning. But, if I had to make
a quick turn, I guess I would be in for a low altitude trip all the way
back.

Dave

Friedrich Ostertag wrote:

> Hi Michael,
>
> a "Fly-in SCUBA trip" seems somewhat contradictionary to me, as the
> nitrogen accumulation aquired during SCUBA-Diving restricts even
> commercial flying for up to 24 hours after a dive. General
> recommendation for PADI-Divers is to refrain from diving for 24 hours
> before commencing a flight. So unless you plan on staying several days,
> your diving would have be very limited.
>
> regards,
> Friedrich
>
> --
> bitte für persönliche Antworten die offensichtliche Änderung an meiner
> Adresse vornehmen
>

[John Clear]

In article <20040304084226.41d7477b@fstop>,
R. Hubbell > wrote:
>On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:56:41 -0800 Jeff > wrote:
>
>> california sucks for diving, the water is cold and its kinda boring. Florida
>
>Yes, please spread the word, California diving sucks. Did everyone get that?
>So don't come here. It sucks.

That's right, the water is REALLY cold in California. And the
surge is brutal if you want to beach dive at places like Monastery.
The sand isn't soft either.

It sucks, stay away.

John
--
John Clear - http://www.panix.com/~jac

[Peter Gottlieb]

The last time I was in California I was at a nude beach (hard to get to, so
only college students there) and everything seemed excellent to me, and for
some reason I had no desire to go dive.


"John Clear" > wrote in message
...
> In article <20040304084226.41d7477b@fstop>,
> R. Hubbell > wrote:
> >On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:56:41 -0800 Jeff > wrote:
> >
> >> california sucks for diving, the water is cold and its kinda boring.
Florida
> >
> >Yes, please spread the word, California diving sucks. Did everyone get
that?
> >So don't come here. It sucks.
>
> That's right, the water is REALLY cold in California. And the
> surge is brutal if you want to beach dive at places like Monastery.
> The sand isn't soft either.
>
> It sucks, stay away.
>
> John
> --
> John Clear - http://www.panix.com/~jac
>

[John Harlow]

>> california sucks for diving, the water is cold and its kinda boring.
>> Florida
>
>
> Yes, please spread the word, California diving sucks. Did everyone
> get that? So don't come here. It sucks.
>
> R. Hubbell


Thanks, R., we will definitely look elsewhere for diving locations.

It's quite indicative when even a local says it sucks. That pacific ocean
sure is cold!

[lance smith]

Ouch! Look at all these anti-california dive postings. Yes it's a
little chilly, but nothing crazy and nothing a good wetsuit won't
solve.

It's different diving out here, there are sights you won't see
anywhere else. Towering kelp forests, 500lb giant see bass, 7ft
halibut. I will admit it's not a place for the once-a-year PADI
divers, the temperature, surge, and depth can be intimidating. However
if you're more hardcore, know how to dive, and have had your fill of
comfy diving come on out. You have to admit Venezuala looks a lot like
Belize which is similar to Cacun which is beaten up like Looe Key : )

-lance smith



Jeff > wrote in message >...
> Michael
> the wife and I are both PADI divers, I would suggest you get a computer, a good
> one will keep track on how long you have been under water and monitor your
> depth and will calculate when you can fly. Its more precise then using a paper
> and pencil to figure it out.
>
> california sucks for diving, the water is cold and its kinda boring. Florida
> has shark dives that are real fun. we went on a shark dive off palm beach and
> dove off the keys, lots to see there. If you want to see some neat diving pics,
> we had a photographer take these when we dove of the Turks and Caios islands.
> that was some good diving.
> http://www.turboarrow3.com/diving/index.html
>
>
> Michael 182 wrote:
>
> > I am getting my open-water certification. My brother (a less experienced
> > pilot but a far more experienced diver) and I are looking for some some fly
> > and dive trips. We are planning to go to Pennekamp in Key Largo. I assume
> > MTH (Marathon) is the closest airport. Any other destinations people
> > suggest?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Michael

[Brad Z]

Yeah, but don't locals say the same thing about fishing holes? ...and
swimming holes?

"John Harlow" > wrote in message
...
> >> california sucks for diving, the water is cold and its kinda boring.
> >> Florida
> >
> >
> > Yes, please spread the word, California diving sucks. Did everyone
> > get that? So don't come here. It sucks.
> >
> > R. Hubbell
>
>
> Thanks, R., we will definitely look elsewhere for diving locations.
>
> It's quite indicative when even a local says it sucks. That pacific ocean
> sure is cold!
>
>

[John Harlow]

Brad Z wrote:
> Yeah, but don't locals say the same thing about fishing holes? ...and
> swimming holes?

Speaking of holes... http://www.evilzug.com/stuff/goatse/tribute/

[Brad Z]

What sort of bizarre google searches lead to sites such as this?


"John Harlow" > wrote in message
...
> Brad Z wrote:
> > Yeah, but don't locals say the same thing about fishing holes? ...and
> > swimming holes?
>
> Speaking of holes... http://www.evilzug.com/stuff/goatse/tribute/
>
>

[John Harlow]

Brad Z wrote:
> What sort of bizarre google searches lead to sites such as this?

goatse.cx is one of those weird legends of the internet - kind of like "all
your base are belong to us" or "star wars kid". I figure mst had seen it
(usually by accident), and would find the tribute interesting ;)