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shawndolan
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Posted: Mon Jul 9th, 2007 10:28 pm |
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Hello, my wife and I are heading down to SC July 28th through Aug 4th and we both love to Dive. I have been told the diving in SC is great and I have been told its no good so I thought I would post this message here and see if someone with genuine been there and done that experiance can help us find great diving experiances during our stay. Some specific comments (fear questions) I have:
Is there really going to be jelly fish so thick you can't get through them and I should bring a 7 mil suit to ward off the stings?
I have to assume the water will be very warm, like the Red Sea last year, what type of suit is recommended (given the potential jelly fish problem).
I assume there are plenty of available dive boats and dive masters who know where to dive in the region is this true or do I need to be doing some homework?
We have become very good with spears off Florida is it legal and ethical to spear fish in SC or should we bring a camera instead?
Are guided night dives available or is this another homework project?
Tricky question but I know from experiance that some dive shops are not as well staffed or equiped as others is there a local favorite?
Should I bring all the gear or just the esentials and rent the rest. Flying with tanks and weights is always a hassel but if I get there and can't get bagged weight for the integrated BC it will be worse?
Thanks to all who reply in advance I look so forward to this dive trip, BTW we are always interested in group dives and other activities so please reply
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kjstm
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 12:16 am |
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There is a lot of info in the previous postings.....I'm told spearing with tanks is not legal in Mexico. Check out "Surface Time" website. Good luck.
Ken
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Vince Radice
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 12:41 am |
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You ask a lot of question grasshoper, let me say this.
Diving is good in San Carlos but the water visibility may or may not be depending on when and where you dive. Viz can be anywhere from 25 to 50 feet locally or off shore at san pedro island 25 to 75 feet. The water temperature is right now around 85 degrees at the surface and at the surface is where you will find the jelly fish you so dred. So if you don't have a long surface swim you won't get stung by a portuguese man of war but there can be many on the sites here or few to none depending on conditions. I spear fish a lot here and just shot a very nice snapper two days ago in about 25 feet of water at the Eagle. You are not allowed to spear fish with tanks but many divers do and it is unlikely that anyone would stop you from doing so. I think you have a better chance of getting a good fish with out the bubble noice anyway. Many shops offer guided night dives such as our shop at sonora sport center. We also have just produced the first true dive guide to san carlos with trail map and boat loads of information on the area.
bottom line is that San Carlos is not the red sea that is for sure, but it is the Sea of Cortez and all that go along with it.
Hope this was helpful.
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shawndolan
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 02:04 am |
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Thanks for the info, the jellies are there I just hate the jellies. Clearly diving with a boat is the way to go does your shop go out every day night or is it a schedule in advance deal? I have hear the island is the place to dive? Seems from the map that along haul unless one has a fast boat. How do I get one of these Dive Guides from here? What kind of boats are you running?
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pelicanjames
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 02:40 am |
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| I have dived most of the worlds oceans and one of my most memorable dives was at San Pedro Island a couple of years ago in July. Yes, there can be jellys, wear lycra suits, there are many shops that can help you. There is lots of gear available for rent sometimes I come down with only my computer and reg. Have fun.
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bartmanaz
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 01:53 pm |
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shawndolan wrote: Hello, my wife and I are heading down to SC July 28th through Aug 4th and we both love to Dive. I have been told the diving in SC is great and I have been told its no good so I thought I would post this message here and see if someone with genuine been there and done that experiance can help us find great diving experiances during our stay. Some specific comments (fear questions) I have: Will answer your questions as posed
Is there really going to be jelly fish so thick you can't get through them and I should bring a 7 mil suit to ward off the stings? While these can be a problem from time to time, local dive operators are very aware of them and will generally not put divers into areas that are infested. Be cautious if you decide to beach dive. Generally a lycra skin or .5 mil suit will offer adequate protection.
I have to assume the water will be very warm, like the Red Sea last year, what type of suit is recommended (given the potential jelly fish problem). See my previous answer-that time of year you do not need a thick suit.
I assume there are plenty of available dive boats and dive masters who know where to dive in the region is this true or do I need to be doing some homework? Our featured dive operators on the diving page on the main web site have boats and dive masters/boat crews who know these waters very well.
We have become very good with spears off Florida is it legal and ethical to spear fish in SC or should we bring a camera instead? As noted in another post, it is illegal to spear fish while scuba diving-free diving only but note that you do need Mexican fishing licenses to do so.
Are guided night dives available or is this another homework project? Yes-visit the diving page on the main web site.
Tricky question but I know from experiance that some dive shops are not as well staffed or equiped as others is there a local favorite? All of our featured dive operators are well staffed, equipped and trained. We've dived with most of them and have been well pleased with service received.
Should I bring all the gear or just the esentials and rent the rest. Flying with tanks and weights is always a hassel but if I get there and can't get bagged weight for the integrated BC it will be worse? Do not bring tanks-these are included in the cost of dives as are weights. If the BC is like mine and has a special weight to insure upright flotation, bring that. If weight allowance will allow, bring your soft weights.
Thanks to all who reply in advance I look so forward to this dive trip, BTW we are always interested in group dives and other activities so please reply
Hope this helps. We've been diving in this area for many years with dive shops and our own boat and have always enjoyed ourselves.
Bart
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Vince Radice
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 04:23 pm |
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How do I get one of these Dive Guides from here?
right now the dive guides are available at Sonoran Sport Center, Surfice Time dive shop and Sagitarios gift shop. Soon they will be availalbe on line for downloads and at other locations in San Carlos. Most boats take about an hour to an hour and half to get to San Pedro Island, depending on weather conditions of course. San Pedro Island is a good dive but local diving can be just as rewarding. One of our friends just last week got a chance to observe some lovely sea horses at a local dive destination. I am going to post some video I shot last week of some free diving we and spear fishing we did last week at San Pedro Island.
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Matt Blair
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 10:41 pm |
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Good work on the dive guide Vince! I'll pick one up next time I head south. Good work on the snapper at Eagle Rock too. I've seen them there, but didn't have a gun at the time.
Shawn, if you do plan on free dive spearfishing, make sure the dive operator you hire allows spear guns before you pay for your trip. Don't worry too much about the jellies, they can be avoided for the most part.
Have fun! Matt
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Blueskys4ever
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 11:59 pm |
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There are several dive shops that operate in the area. Some carry larger groups and some offer smaller groups. There is an inverse relationship with price.
Desert Divers/Ocean Spirit would not agree with spearfishing in general. This is a fast boat and get you to the island quickly. The cost is about 90 bucks for a 2 tank dive. They seem to mostly go to the North point of the island.
You can rent tanks and weight at about 4 different vendors.
Wear a skin or 1 mil. Leave the 7 mil at home.
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Vince Radice
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Posted: Wed Jul 11th, 2007 06:00 pm |
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Next time you are down Matt we have to get out for a little free dive session. Here is a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvOzql3HNA8 to that video I shot on july 4th.
Hasta pronto
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Matt Blair
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Posted: Wed Jul 11th, 2007 06:15 pm |
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Great video! Love the sea lion footage. Seamus is heading down today for a couple of days. I know he'd love to get out and hold his breath a while. I'll try to call him and tell him to find you if he can make the time.
I think I have about another month before I can get down there. Then I'd love to cruise out for a while. Adios!
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ACWAMAN
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Posted: Fri Jul 20th, 2007 08:41 pm |
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Not the only good operator in SC, but Vince is great and probably nobody has more experience than he when it comes to diving and spearfishing around SC.
However, don't support his comments regarding getting away with spearing on Scuba.
It is illegal and although it is unlikely you get caught, if you did, could land you in a heap of trouble.
Not to mention, the conservation ethics involved.
As he said, you're better off free diving anyway, but I would suggest not even considering spearing on Scuba.
If you want to spearfish free diving, nobody better to take you out than Vince and most of the opperators probably don't allow it anyway, but I'm not sure about that.
Sorry for the contradiction Vince, think it's better to put out a clear message on the forum, when pertaining to regulations of any type.
Good luck!
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Vince Radice
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Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 01:49 am |
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I hate to mention it but I know a person who has been spearfishing on Scuba tanks for probably close to 30 years down here and has never recieved a fined that I am aware of. I do not condone it Shamus that is for sure but lets face it, one of the biggest problems we have here is a lack of enforcement when it comes to fishing rules. That is the reality of the situation and that is always what I try to do with any post I write. I strive for accuracy if nothing else. I doubt seriously anyone would get in big trouble for spearfishing with a scuba tank but I do wish people would not. I also wish Mexico would enforce it laws here and have lobbied the government plenty of times to do just that. I still remain hopeful that it will happen someday.
Hasta for now boys, lets all get together some time and hold our breath!!!!
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ACWAMAN
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Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 02:42 am |
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Vince,
You are absolutely right, I have a close friend of mine whom I know shoots fish on Scuba and I know of several aquaintances whom do the same.
I know you do not and are recommending against it, but felt your message was a little vague as to whether it could be done or not.
Last thing I want to become, is one of the forum members that turns every post into a huge political area, we have too many.
Regret, due to boat problems, I was not able to hook up with you on my recent visit, but look forward to doing so soon.
All the best!
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ACWAMAN
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Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 03:41 am |
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Shawndolan,
Sorry if I brought things in a political direction, but to the pertinant issues.
Vince's video shows the type of Jelly fish you need to avoid, very clearly.
Most of the others are harmeless.
Check it out!
A simple lycra skin will protect you and below the surface, they're not normally an issue.
Worst case, the sting hurts bad, but even my young kids have gotten over it within a short period of time.
Have a great trip!
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