Learn to Dive in the USA
America’s Highlights
Due to its size the United States has a kind of spot for every level of scuba diver. The East and West coasts have some beautiful places to go diving as well as the interior of the country has a vast amount of lakes and rivers.
In Alaska, get the chance to spot something big including orcas, sea lions, salmon and humpback whales. California has a range of diving options from swimming through kelp forests to historical wrecks and stunning reefs. There’s a chance to spot humpback whales, seals and dolphins.
Key Largo in Florida has proclaimed itself the dive capital of the world and is home to the largest artificial reef the USS Spiegel Grove and features the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Hawaii has some of the best diving on the planet with crystal blue water, warm waters, and a variety of marine life to see.
When is the best time to go diving in the USA?
- Alaska: In Alaska, it is possible at any time of year. In winter, you will require a dry suit and relevant dry suit certification but in summer months you can dive in a thick wetsuit.
- California: Diving in California can be done at any time of year. In fall and winter, visibility is at its best.
- Florida: Hurricane season in Key Largo and the Florida Keys is between June and December and the best time is between April to July.
- Hawaii: Diving in Hawaii is possible all year-round but between April to June and September to December offers the calmest water with the best visibility.
Water Temperature
- Alaska: In winter the water is at 4°C but rises to 15°C in summer.
- California: In the south of California during summer the water temperature can reach 20°C, while the north remains cold at around 11°C. August and September have the hottest water temperature, with January having the coldest.
- Florida: The water is always warm at any time of year at a minimum of 20°C in winter and rising to 30°C in summer, August is the hottest month.
- Hawaii: The water in Hawaii is always warm and doesn’t change much throughout the year. It is 25°C in winter and 28°C in summer.
Currents
- Alaska: Usually strong.
- California: Varies depending on the dive site and surface conditions.
- Florida: It depends on the dive site and the weather, currents can range from none to strong.
- Hawaii: Mild to strong depending on the dive site and the weather conditions.
Visibility
- Alaska: Visibility depends on the day and ranges from 7 to 25 meters. Due to upwellings from below, it can be poor at times but this means you can get the chance to spot something big.
- California: It depends on where you are in California but ranges from 9 to 24 meters.
- Florida: Visibility ranges from 12 to 30 meters.
- Hawaii: Visibility is usually very high between 20 and 30 meters.
America’s best dive sites
Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island, in California, is part of a group of Channel Islands that lies on the Pacific coastline, Southwest of Los Angeles. Established in 1962, this beautiful marine reserve has a huge range of biodiversity. With over 50 sites to choose from, divers have the ultimate choice. Most dive sites have kelp forests at a depth between 5 and 20 meters. Sea lions, giant black sea bass and angel sharks are residents and can be found in the kelp forests and sand below.
Best dive sites: Farnsworth Bank, Seal Rocks and Eel Cove
Kona, Hawaii
Kona, Hawaii, located on the Western shore of the Big Island boasts over 50 sites with an exciting array of marine life. One of the most popular activities is night diving with manta rays. These friendly giants feed off plankton and are attracted to the lights along the coastline at night. Blackwater diving is also popular, where a group of divers is taken offshore and suspended mid-water waiting to see what drifts past during the night. The bottom is made up of lava tubes, boulders, tunnels, grottos and reefs. Divers can spot fish, turtles, reef sharks, humpback whales and even hammerhead sharks.
Best dive sites: Two Step, Crescent Beach and Turtle Pinnacle
Key Largo
Key Largo is located on the third biggest barrier reef in the world next to the Florida Keys. The area has over 100 dive sites from wrecks, reefs, drift dives, deep dives and much more. The vibrant reefs are home to turtles, nurse sharks, rays and occasionally a hammerhead. The most famous wreck in the area is the USS Spiegel Grove, a US Navy Landing Ship Dock purposefully sunk to create an artificial wreck. Key Largo has dive sites for every skill level. Shore dives are not really possible as the water is too shallow, travel to the dive sites ranges from 30 to 45 minutes.
Best dive sites: Hole in the Wall, the Winch and USS Spiegel Grove
About the country
The USA is a geographically diverse country containing beautiful landscapes of mountains, deserts, beaches and forests. It is culturally diverse, with a long history of immigration from different parts of the world. The USA features some of the best cities in the world with the most exquisite restaurants, world-class theater, music, bars, clubs, and so much more.
Recreational Courses in the USA
Dive Centers in the USA
Getting to the USA
There are many international airports located in the USA. Once in America, it is easiest to fly or rent a car if you need to travel around the country. Public transportation is available in the larger cities.
Other important information
- Capital: Washington, D.C.
- Largest City: New York
- Official Language: English
- Demonym: American
- Currency: United States Dollar $
- Calling code: +1
- Driving Side: Right
- Population: Above 331 million
- Pressure: Pounds/square inch (psi)
- First Stage: INT/Yoke
