Scuba diving is becoming more popular every year, and that's great; the question is, where should you plan to take your first diving vacation? Whether you've got a weekend to burn or a longer stretch of time to spend honing your underwater skills and enjoying the opportunity to explore a dimension only available to a small percentage of the population, you'll be thrilled to discover that the North American continent has much to offer all divers - including those who are newly certified or who are still in the "I want to learn to dive" phase. At Just Gotta Dive (JGD), we make it our mission to introduce divers to sites they'll love - we've picked these ones specifically with you in mind.
Bermuda
Despite folklore describing Bermuda as a scary place, it is actually incredibly beautiful; it is easy to get to from the mainland, and it is a great place for beginning divers to explore as they get a better feel for their fins. Not only are there hundreds of square miles of reef to explore here, there are also shipwrecks located in shallow water - many can be found at depths averaging fifteen meters or less. The reefs and wrecks you'll explore while diving in Bermuda are home to a fantastic array of marine life large and small alike. Look for rays, turtles, and a few sharks, and enjoy encounters with spectacularly colorful reef fish, invertebrates, and crustaceans of all kinds. While you can enjoy diving in Bermuda any time of year, the water is warmest between May and November.
British Columbia
Some of Canada's best diving is to be had in British Columbia. While the water here is admittedly chilly, you'll find that they rocky reefs are covered in surprisingly vivid life; sponges and bright red algae create a magnificent backdrop for some of the weirdest creatures you'll ever encounter underwater. Red Irish Lords, sculpins, and all sorts of rockfish depend on the colors and textures of the reefs for camouflage; cranky crabs attempt to evade Giant Pacific Octopus, and the nudibranchs here are as colorful as those found in tropical locales.
While there are plenty of great shore dives to be had around British Columbia, there are also excellent dive operators capable of taking divers out to less visited - and more pristine - dive sites where currents are calmer and water is clearer. If you like, you can try diving and snorkeling with Orcas or exploring artificial reefs.
There are many sites which are suitable for new divers in BC; you'll find your best chances of getting to those sites and enjoying the experience will be had with the help of either an experienced dive buddy who is familiar with the area, or with the help of a local dive operator. While you should avoid diving solo altogether, BC is definitely not the place to do it. Be safe, and have fun!
Cozumel
Cozumel offers outstanding dive sites that begin in very shallow water - in fact, one of the most popular sites, Chankanaab Lagoon, is filled with limestone and coral formations that begin in about 2 meters of water. Just offshore, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef offers sites that are so shallow they're even suitable for snorkeling, and all along the reef, you'll find plenty of marine life to keep you company. If you're ready to expand your horizons a bit, you'll find that there are plenty of swim-throughs and tunnels to explore, still in shallow water; all of this is easy to access either from shore or via a quick boat trip from shore.
Another reason we like Cozumel is that it is affordable. It's understandable that new divers, after having paid for certification and equipment, look for bargains on dive trips - and you'll find them here. With the world's second largest live coral reef, stunning white beaches, and clear turquoise waters, Cozumel is truly a piece of paradise. Best of all, it's protected. Most dive sites belong to an underwater national park, and Mexico is dedicated to preserving this reef for all of us to enjoy.
Hawaii
Hawaii is a great place for a vacation - you probably know that much, already! It's also a fantastic place to learn to dive, or to enjoy a getaway that includes plenty of bottom time. Not only does it offer some great sites for experts, it is surrounded by shallow areas which are even suitable for snorkeling. No matter which of the Hawaiian islands you plan to spend time exploring, you'll discover that there are at least a few dive sites that seem to be calling your name specifically.
When planning your trip to Hawaii, consider looking for a tour package that includes some diving along with some visits to topside attractions; finally, despite the availability of Tiki bars, be sure to enjoy those cocktails responsibly! You'll not only be safer as you dive, but you'll enjoy the experience so much more minus grogginess or a hangover.
Key Largo
Key Largo is a destination divers from all over the world dream of. Not only is the water warm and clear, there is an incredible abundance of marine life here - and much of it is protected by law. For beginners and experts alike, there's one destination you've got to visit at least once, and that is Pennekamp State Park. Here, dive sites begin in very shallow water just a few meters deep, and once you're finished logging bottom time for the day, you can enjoy snorkeling to your heart's content.
You can also visit Christ of the Abyss, or spend some time enjoying a dive on Molasses Reef; these are just a few sites on Key Largo that are diver friendly.
As you can see, we don't simply like these destinations because they offer shallow dive sites with great visibility; we love them because they offer some of the best experiences any diver can have. So, don't be bashful. Convince more experienced dive buddies to join you, or talk a non-diving friend into taking up scuba diving; then, head out to these easy to access sites for a look at some of the most fantastic marine life on the planet - and a whole lot more.