Most Excellent Shore Diving Reviews of UWdigger!

Review Date       AVG       ShoreDiving Site

12/16/2006        3.61      Bonneville Sea Base Utah, USA West

For being as far from the ocean as it is, the wildlife at this site is impressive. Take a head of lettuce (iceberg if I remember correctly) down with you and watch the fish become instant friends with you. Vis was about 3-5' for us but if you stay long enough you get used to it (or maybe if you're used to diving in low-vis conditions like we are). Work on your navigation skills and find various objects such as a wreck, a turtle, Pierre, and others. Finding nurse sharks there was mortifying yet intriguing. I'm not a fan of zoos or aquariums containing large animals in small cages (if you get my drift). However the fact that one can go so far from the oceans and still swim with sharks was kind of cool. If you find yourself in the area, this place may be worth looking into. Happy diving! K

12/16/2006        3.96      Bonne Terre Mines, Bonne Terre Missouri, USA Mid

I thought the site was fantastic. Vis was great (but limited to the lighted areas and the extent of your flashlight). The history on this place is fascinating, and, if you pay enough attention, you can really visualize the work it took for this enormous operation while diving. Pros: for beginner to advanced, something for everyone to see; it's completely guided so no worrying about getting lost or pre-planning routes; not diving? No problem, there are other things to do there and in town for the unfortunate non-divers; visibility is spectacular; history is phenomenal; safety is not overlooked (there were safety divers everywhere plus a safety kayak following the tour) most of what we saw was highly photogenic so for those photographers, the lighting proves a very dramatic and incredible scene; and there are many different tours so if you keep going back there, there's much more to see. Cons: for those who don't like guided tours, either get used to it or go to a different site; for those who don't like cold water diving, cowboy up or go back to the Caribbean you sissies; for those who get a little spooked by dark places or somewhat tight places, maybe talk to a DM there ahead of time for your options. Seriously, there's so much to see there, unexploded dynamite sticks still lying in boxes, drills still stuck in the wall, ore carts, etc, just don't forget this is a historic site. Also do NOT forget your dive log if you're wanting to return for more diving. Happy Diving! K

12/16/2006        4.09      Blue  Hole New Mexico, USA West

Blue Hole was my first open water experience and now eight years later it still never ceases to intrigue me. Vis is always great and each dive always turns up something new it seems. Look closely along the walls when diving. My first night dive was here, too. It can't get much more amazing than coming up from a great dive to be greeted by the friendly starlit sky! Happy diving! K

12/16/2006        3.24      Aurora Reservoir Colorado, USA West

As said by others, it's mostly a place to get wet in Colorado. $5 per vehicle per day. If you go through a dive shop, your gear can be taken to the shore by vehicle (otherwise plan on carrying on your own). The best vis I've had there (in the last eight years of diving) has been about 7', otherwise the average I've encountered is about 5'. Check out the Cessna and on good days you can still find related debris in the diving area. Watch your exit and entry, as the beach can be slippery and gear can easily be lost in the murky waters. Otherwise, this place is good for navigation and night classes. My reason to come here is if you can navigate well in 3-5' vis, you're off to a great start. Night diving is fine too, especially practicing your navigating to site and shore during the dark hours. If you're adventurous enough, do a little bug hunting. Near the end of the Aurora Res season (they close about the last week in October) the crawdads are a good size. FYI, a military installation is adjacent the park and who knows what was dumped in the waters from there (that's where the adventurous part comes in). Happy Diving! K