- Animal
- Time of year
- Area, Country or Location
- Type
- Experience
- Can see
The United States of America commonly referred to as the US is a huge country in North America. The waters that surround it are from the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean sea, the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean. Diving in the US is extremely diverse for all levels of divers.
Some of the best dives are found in the Atlantic coast particularly in the Mizpah Corridor sporting great wreck dives. The Mizpah wreck, a Greek luxury liner that sank in 1968 is now an artificial reef. There is also the wreck of a patrol craft broken in two pieces called PC1170 just under the bow of the Mizpah. Then, there is the Amaryllis wreck with only the hull and bottom deck remaining.
The world's largest artificial reef is also found on the lower Atlantic Coast not very far from Pensacola - an aircraft carrier named USS Oriskany. From a carrier of destructive forces, she now serves as life-giving reef for several marine species.
Aside from wrecks, the fabulous manatees also frolic on the Atlantic coast in the months of November to April.
The warmer waters of the East Coast are where large pelagic fishes reside particularly in the North Carolina and South Carolina. The popular diving activity here is whale watching at Cape Cod not to mention the common sightings of angelfish, amberjack, barracuda, jewfish, sunfish, lionfish, turtles and sharks not far from the coast of South Carolina.
Advanced and technical divers would love the famed wreck of the U-85 resting at 34m. Turtles and sharks as well as other reef fishes love to frolic in the Sherman wreck at 15m, which is suitable for beginner and novice divers.
Diving in the Gulf Coast is a very rewarding experience as you get enthralled by the schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks and spotted eagle rays. These magnificent creatures are somewhat attracted to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the months of January through March. The most interesting diving activity in the area is the mass spawning of corals in August not to mention the visiting whale sharks that engorge in its plankton rich waters.
California also sports Kelp Forest diving and whose waters are teeming with rich marine life including huge lobsters and the famed California Sea Lions.
The US has always been a leader in marine conservation with extensive volunteer organizations spread across the world. There are several marine reserves in the US particularly the famous Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
The overall climate of the US is temperate. Alaska has Arctic tundra and tropical in South Florida. There is dry climate in the Great Plains and arid desert in the far West. California coast has a Mediterranean climate.
Florida sports a year round diving season with 19-26C average water temperature.
The East Coast sports a year round diving season as well with varying water temperatures; 49F/9C in January and 80F/26C in August.
The Gulf Coast also sports a year round diving season with 19-29C average water temperature.
Natural hazards include hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.
There are multiple entry points to the US. Almost all states have their own international airports as air travel is the most convenient mode of transportation considering the vast size of the country.
Cruise ships also serve voyages to the US and the common entry points are Los Angeles and Florida.
Other than plane travel, buses, taxis and rental cars also abound in the US.
The general transportation system of the US is exceptional.
Use the following links for more information about;
- Decompression Chambers in United States of America
- Foreign Travel Advice for United States of America (UK Government)
- More about United States of America (Wikipedia)
Alaska, USA
The state of Alaska has over 17,703km (11,000 miles) of coastline, more than any other state in the United States of America, most of it untamed wilderness. The coastline weaves its way through a maze of inlets, fjords and sounds, making boats...
Go>
Blue Spring, USA
For hundreds of years the Timucuan Indians made the Blue Spring area one of their home sites. The spring run, river and the surrounding swamps and uplands provided food, clothing, shelter and materials for tools and weapons. Snails gathered from sandbars...
Go>
Catalina Island, USA
Santa Catalina Island or Catalina Island is known to be a bouldery island yet great for scuba diving. From Los Angeles, Catalina Island is off 22 miles (35 km) south-southwest. Catalina is part of the Channel Islands of California Archipelago. Its beautiful...
Go>
Channel Islands National Park, USA
The Channel Islands National Park is a group of small islands off the coast of southern California. The jumping off points for trips to the islands for divers and non-divers alike is usually Ventura, where the park's HQ and Visitor's Centre are...
Go>
Crystal Coast, USA
The three coastal communities in Carteret County, North Carolina form the Crystal Coast. Beaufort is the seat of the county and was one of the first coastal towns in North Carolina. In addition to being a great American wreck diving location, the...
Go>
Crystal River, USA
Crystal River offers opportunities to swim with the West Indian Manatee, known as the Gentle Giant of the sea. Freshwater diving options are also available. Also known as the place "where man and manatee play," it is one of the world's...
Go>
Eastport, USA
Eastport is a holding page location - we will research it soon! If you are Dive Center - and can help us complete this location - see the 'help us' tab. Thanks! Dive Report Team
Go>
Fort Lauderdale, USA
Fort Lauderdale is located on the South East Coast of Florida, and is known mainly for the huge amount of college students who flock to the destination during Spring Break, which is in March and April each year. Young people are attracted...
Go>
Guam, USA
Guam is the largest island in the Mariana chain of islands within Micronesia. West of Hawaii, Guam also saw plenty of action during WW II. Guam was subjected to years of Japanese occupation after being snatched away from the American forces just...
Go>
Hawaii, the Big Island, USA
Hawaii, the “Big Island” is actually the youngest of all the Hawaiian Islands. You can find more evidence of volcanic activity from days gone by, to the present lava flows. The Big Island is a Scuba Diving treasure, with a host...
Go>
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
The island of Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the wettest, also known as the Garden Island because of all its lush green vegetation. It’s famous for beautiful weather, which averages between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit all year...
Go>
Key Largo, USA
An hour drive from Miami, Key Largo is the first island in the chain that makes up the Florida Keys, stretching from the southern tip of the state westward into the Gulf of Mexico. At 53km (33 miles), it is the...
Go>
Key West, USA
First made famous as the home of the noted 20th century writer Ernest Hemingway and later by Jimmy Buffet’s folk songs and pirate tales, Key West is the United States’ southernmost point and capital of the “Conch Republic”. This island lies at...
Go>
Maui, USA
There are main reasons why visitor come, relaxation, sun, and beaches and of Scuba Diving. When the rest of the world is freezing, if asked where they would rather be, the answer is, the Hawaiian Islands. Maui is two connected mountains with...
Go>
Miami, USA
The city of Miami in the southern United States is famed for having some of the best wreck diving worldwide. It is also home to the third largest barrier reef in the world, and the only one in North America: The...
Go>
Oahu, USA
The majority of Hawaiians live on Oahu, called “The Gathering Place”, and once you visit you’ll realize why. Visitors come here the first time and again, for a variety of reasons, but the mail ones are the weather, the beaches, the waters...
Go>
Saipan, USA
Saipan is a part of the Commonwealth of the United States, and the largest island in the North Mariana Islands Chain. Saipan has a unique island ecosystem, and many opportunities to experience a variety of dive environments. There are underwater caves...
Go>
San Diego, California, USA
The city of San Diego is one of the most visited vacation towns in the United States, offering some of the best weather in the United States all year long. From the exciting downtown area, including Seaport Village, Island of Coronado, all...
Go>
San Francisco, California, USA
San Francisco is just an internationally famous destination and a great place to spend a few days to weeks if you have the time and money. It's famous for its location on the ocean, for the fire the devastated back in...
Go>
West Palm Beach, USA
Palm Beach County Florida is famous for it’s great year round weather, many golf courses, diving, shopping on Worth Avenue and City Place and an abundance of activities for all ages. As a tiny island located just north of Fort Lauderdale and...
Go>
