Let's go scuba-diving!

[Captain Insano]

Anyone ever been to the Great Barrier Reef? I was planning a dive trip there for my husbands 40th b-day.

Yes I have dove it. You have to make sure it's the right season if you plan on diving. The great barrier reef is great to see large wildlife, but the coral formations aren't that great.

I would dive okinawa anyday over the great barrier reef to be honest...that being said it is still a great dive. Not to mention Cairns is a cool litttle beach town with a ton of recreational type shit to do.

Now if your a young single pirate like me your better off in Sydney slamming all kinds of pussy and go scuba diving when your old.

[Arlos]

Ralf: How's Belize for diving? All reports that I've heard are that it's fantastic, but wondering if you have any experience with down there, or know anyone who does, and what they had to say about it.

-Arlos

[Captain Insano]

Hmmm I'm really not too sure. Goosse would be the one to ask. he has traveled around a lot more regarding diving.

I know a couple of things that are important IMO... Mainly many dive sites have seasons, when the water is crystal clear and everything is alive and...well amazing.

Also I prefer to dive sites that are known for their crazy coral formations, colors etc etc... The reason I say that is that the Great Barrier Reef is supposed to be one of thebest sites in the world, but really it just had really big fish. Other than that it was very so so. Not that much interesting to look at.

In Okinawa for example there were they almost giant mushrooms shaped formations underwater with a trillion colors and fish of every variety. The place was just teeming with life. I never ever got bored diving there.

Personally I would want to dive sites like that. If you want to just see big fish go to an aquarium.

On another note, if you haven't gone scuba diving somewhere really good you should do it.

I talk to a lot of people who are scared of the idea, but the minute you get under the water it is probably one of the most peaceful, relaxing experiences ever.

[Markarado]

I would definately recommend the Galapagos Islands for diving, but it's extremely expensive. There aren't really any coral reefs ... it's mostly sharks. I'm very sick of looking at coral formations. That's all we have in Southeast Asia.

[kaharthemad]

Best places I did while In the military was off the coast of Saint Thomas, and I did some diving off of the reef in Melbourne.

[runamonk]

Scuba is awesome. My wife and I recently got into it. Some of the best fun we've ever had.

Let me just say if you don't have alot of money buying gear can be expensive!

We've invested quite a bit so far.

[runamonk]

Fuck the sound diving... bleh if you liked it there and still want to dive you need to find some warm water to go jump in...

God I froze my nads when I went in the Puget Sound, I had to do some underwater mapping and navigation as part of my Divemaster Cert in that frigid water /cry.

Oh you big baby.

We did all our dives in the sound, right off alki beach. 46 degress. All our class dives we did in dry suits (weather was cold too, around 30 deg). Then our last dive the shop didn't have a dry suit for my wife (she's tiny) and they only had one that would fit her and it was already out. So we went with wet suits. No problems at all, we were actually more comfortable in the wet suits than the dry.

We're picking up our own semi-dry suits (wet suits with a seals inside the cuffs) tomorrow after work woo hoo! =)

[Oofdaa]

I actually don't dive, just the hubby. I'm pretty claustorphobic (sp) and think I may freak out. I'd like to try out the gear in our pool though and see how I do.

[10sun]

This is kinda related, but I'm in the market for a wetsuit and I have no idea what I am looking for in terms of thickness / materials / cost etc.

Primarily, I want something that I'll be comfortable kayaking in 40-50 degree waters and white water rafting, but I'd also like to have the option open for SCUBA as my really fucking rich uncle has been trying to get me into it so he has an excuse not to be at home with my annoying ass cousins.

[runamonk]

I actually don't dive, just the hubby. I'm pretty claustorphobic (sp) and think I may freak out. I'd like to try out the gear in our pool though and see how I do.

So is my wife. We made a deal with our instructor, he would refund back half the money for the class if she didn't feel comfortable after doing the pool sessions.

You do the pool about 4 times or so, then you do 4 open water dives. Don't forget about the classroom stuff too.

All in all it was pretty cool.

[runamonk]

This is kinda related, but I'm in the market for a wetsuit and I have no idea what I am looking for in terms of thickness / materials / cost etc.

Primarily, I want something that I'll be comfortable kayaking in 40-50 degree waters and white water rafting, but I'd also like to have the option open for SCUBA as my really fucking rich uncle has been trying to get me into it so he has an excuse not to be at home with my annoying ass cousins.

Go for a semi-dry like we're getting. If you really want a wet suit, for 30 - 50, I think it's recommended you get a 7mm.

You should go in and talk with someone, I've never done any kayaking though.

[Harrison]

Kayaking looks like immense fun

[Oofdaa]

That's kinda what I wanted to try... see if I can handle it in the pool. I wonder if my husband got his instructer license up to date if he could do all the study stuff at home. I'll have to ask him about that.

I'd love to try it, he enjoys it alot and all I do is sit on the boat and pour warm water down his wetsuit.

[runamonk]

You should go for it! You could end up loving it as much as your man.

[Narrock]

Kayaking looks like immense fun

It is, and it's a great workout too