Exploring the depths of the ocean is a captivating adventure that unveils an enchanting world of vibrant marine life, stunning coral reefs, and mesmerizing underwater landscapes. Yet with all that beauty, Dive Right In Scuba has compiled a list of the best diving destinations to use your scuba equipment.
For avid scuba enthusiasts, being beneath the waves is irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a novice still wondering how to put your tank on, the world is brimming with incredible destinations that cater to every level of expertise.
From the kaleidoscopic reefs of the Pacific to the hauntingly beautiful shipwrecks of the Atlantic, let’s dive into a list of the top scuba diving destinations that are sure to captivate your heart and leave you yearning for more. In this blog, we’ll help you save your time, money, and resources by making it easy to discover the best destinations to use your scuba equipment!
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5 Best Scuba Diving Destinations to Use Your Scuba Equipment
As one of the largest dive shops in Illinois, Dive Right In Scuba is your source for everything scuba-related. Whether you’re looking to buy new equipment or join a reputable training program, we’re here to help you take your dive journey to the next level.
Now that it’s almost travel season, the experts at DRIS have compiled a list of destinations where you can put your scuba equipment to good use. From colorful coral reefs to ancient shipwrecks, here are some of the best places in the U.S. — and beyond — to bring your diving equipment. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. Lake Michigan Shipwreck Dive Sites Near Chicago
For one of the best scuba diving experiences in the U.S., look no further than Lake Michigan. Dive in the late spring or early summer for beautiful green-hued water and great visibility of some of the area’s historic shipwrecks. Bring your diving equipment and join one of our charter boats to explore the Great Lakes, reaching shipwrecks for all skill levels.
There are numerous Great Lakes shipwreck dive sites, and fortunately, there are several great shipwreck dive sites near Chicago. Here are some of the best Lake Michigan shipwreck dive sites near Illinois:
Wings of the Wind Shipwreck Diving Site Near Chicago
Wings of the Wind is (as of now) the oldest shipwreck diving site near Chicago. The ship went down in the year 1866 after a morning collision with a larger boat, the H.P. Baldwin. While a majority of the ship was pilfered after its discovery, it’s still a fantastic shipwreck diving site for Lake Michigan scuba divers. Most of the ship’s hull is still intact and you can get a great look at 19th-century ship design.
Another Great Shipwreck Dive Site, The Wells Burt
If you haven’t gone scuba diving to the Wells Burt then you should consider adding it to your list of Lake Michigan shipwreck diving sites. The Wells Burt rests in about 40 feet of water just 3 miles off Evanston, north of Chicago. The 19th-century vessel floundered in a violent storm in 1883, one where wave spray was recorded at up to 100 feet high on the nearby shoreline.
Chicago’s Most Popular Shipwreck Diving Site: The Straits of Mackinac
Looking for Chicago’s most popular shipwreck diving site? Then visit the Straits of Mackinac dive site. You can expect to find scuba diving enthusiasts here almost every weekend the weather and water permits.
The shipwreck rests northeast of Navy Pier in about 80 feet of water. Originally, the vessel was one of the early car ferries that transported vehicles from the Upper Peninsula to lower Michigan.
This was a necessary industry before the Mackinac Bridge was built. Instead of being sold for scrap, the ship was purchased at auction and purposely scuttled. Now, it serves as an intact Lake Michigan shipwreck dive site where you can even venture inside the ship.
2. Lake Huron Scuba Diving
Lake Michigan isn’t the only one with great diving potential. The neighboring Lake Huron is also home to exciting dive experiences where you can find everything from 19th-century schooners to modern barges.
3. Scuba Dive in Bonaire
Many consider the Caribbean island of Bonaire one of the best places to dive. The dive sites are amidst a marine sanctuary with coral gardens and abundant marine wildlife, including sea turtles, eagle rays, and schools of reef fish.
4. Cozumel Scuba Diving Options
The island of Cozumel in Mexico is world-famous for its diving experiences. If you bring your diving equipment to this destination, you can expect intricate coral formations, steep walls, and a shipwreck or two to explore.
5. Scuba Diving Locations in the Florida Keys
To explore the many dive sites off the coast of the Florida Keys, you’ll want to bring your best diving equipment. With nearly 3,000 square nautical miles of marine sanctuary, more than a thousand shipwrecks, and the third-largest barrier reef in the world, there’s so much to explore.
Factors to Consider When Using Scuba Diving Equipment In A New Scuba Destination
Being prepared means ensuring a safe and fun scuba trip. Make sure you pack what you need to thoroughly enjoy the best destinations for your scuba equipment by asking yourself the questions below!
What Are The Diving Conditions?
There are plenty of beautiful destinations to scuba dive whether you’re traveling across the country or staying in your own backyard. But what makes a scuba diving destination one of the best?
Here’s what the diving professionals look for in a scuba diving destination:
- Optimal weather conditions with clear skies and calm seas
- Water visibility
- Level of difficulty (steep depths or strong currents may rule out some destinations for beginners)
- Underwater attractions (shipwrecks, coral reefs, marine wildlife, etc.)
What Diving Equipment Do You Need Before Going on A Scuba Diving Trip?
Ready to embark on a scuba adventure? First, you’ll need to double-check your packing list to make sure you have all the gear you need to start your trip.
Here’s all the diving equipment you should have:
- Mask, snorkel, and fins
- Snorkel gear bag
- Gloves
- BCDs
- Dive knife
- Dive computer
- Exposure suit
- Hood
- Regulator
- Tank(s)
- Compass
- Dive lights
- Whistle
- Surface signal
How Can I Prepare for Scuba Trips?
While scuba diving across the world can be exciting, you don’t have to wait for a trip to the Caribbean to start using your gear. Whether you’re ready for an advanced dive or just starting to learn the ropes, there’s always something to do with your scuba equipment — right here at home.
Let’s explore a few ways you can use your scuba equipment locally.
1. Scuba Diving Classes Near Me
Need help learning how to scuba dive? Then dip into a training program to gain confidence underwater! At Dive Right In Scuba, our highly trained PADI instructors will give you the skills, confidence, and knowledge you need to dive to new depths.
2. Scuba Diving Certification Courses Near Me
If you already have experience scuba diving, you can also opt for a scuba certification program to elevate your dive journey. Our scuba certification course is all about exploring the underwater world safely. Once certified, you can dive deeper into new underwater worlds or even become an instructor yourself.
3. Dive Charters Near Me
It’s never too early to start exploring through DRIS’s Double Action dive charter trips. Even if it’s off-season, the fall and winter months can be the perfect time to book those spring and summer experiences. Join the DRIS team on one of our VIP scuba diving trips to explore Lake Michigan and beyond.
4. Take Advantage of the DRIS Black Friday and Sale Inventories
Trust us, we know scuba diving is not a cheap hobby. Getting top-quality dive equipment can quickly rack up. But it doesn’t have to break the bank! At Dive Right In Scuba, we offer some of the best Black Friday scuba gear deals around.
Our online dive store doesn’t just have one or two things on sale but instead, we offer a wide selection of discounted scuba gear prices to meet any diver’s budget. Those savings don’t just happen on the Black Friday scuba diving sale though, we extend them into Cyber Monday deals on scuba gear!
Missed the Black Friday Sale? Check Out Our Other Discounted Inventory!
With scuba gear sales and discounts year-round, DRIS is making your dream dive as achievable as possible. While sale items are normal for any local dive shop, DRIS helps out our dive family by offering “used” gear as well.
What does this mean? We discount any returned items, meaning these items are simply unused top-tier scuba gear that has never been used. By offering discounts on both our sale inventory and our used inventory, high-quality scuba equipment is finally within reach! Make sure to stay updated by signing up for our diving newsletter to take advantage of our frequent scuba equipment sales.
5. Use DRIS’s Scuba Dive Trip Service
If you aren’t sure where to go, or how to plan the best scuba dive trip, then don’t worry. At Dive Right In Scuba, our team of scuba diving experts are happy to help. We plan several dive trips to the best US scuba diving locations every year.
In fact, we have a certified scuba trip professional to help you along the way! With years of experience scuba diving at some of the most famous dive sites around the world, Rami knows a thing or two about how to get the most out of your scuba dive trip. Check out our video on Facebook to learn more or get in touch with Rami today at [email protected] to start planning your trip!
At DRIS, we work to get you great deals, professional advice from our expert staff, and the VIP service you deserve on destination scuba diving trips. Visit our scuba dive trip page to learn more about our upcoming scuba dive trips!
The Diving Shop That Meets All Your Scuba Gear Needs
Whether you’re a diving veteran looking for new destinations to explore or new to the game and want a place to test the waters, it’s time to put your scuba equipment to good use.
As one of the largest dive shops in Illinois, Dive Right In Scuba is your source for everything scuba-related. Whether you’re looking to buy new equipment or join a reputable training program, we’re here to help you take your dive journey to the next level.
Dive Right In Scuba has top-rated scuba equipment for your next scuba trip, along with the courses and training you need to become an expert diver.
Shop the best scuba equipment and dive gear deals at your favorite dive shop, DRIS! If you have any scuba diving questions, our team of experts will be happy to answer them.