While many divers believe that jetting to a tropical destination is
essential to pursuing the sport, those in the know prefer to visit
the variety of life that teems in American's Northeast waters.
Freshwater and saltwater sites are alive with colorful flora and
fauna that can't be found elsewhere. What's more, the region's
waters hold countless shipwrecks, most of which sank from
storms or war battles. Unlike vessels sunk intentionally as
artificial reefs, these wrecks are time capsules that contain clues
to life on the day they went down. Even wooden boats that went
down hundreds of years ago in cold freshwater can be seen
fairly intact if covered with a patina of zebra mussels. Those in
the ocean tend to succumb to harsh effects of storm tides and
saltwater, but along with their history lessons, they continue to
provide habitat for sea life. Among the most savored denizens are
flounder, mussels and lobsters, which are far more succulent
than any available in supermarkets or restaurants. Other rewards
of visiting Northeast shores include finding shells that are millions
of years old or espying huge pelagic fish cruising along the
Eastern Seaboard. True, water temperatures tend to be colder
than those in the tropics, dipping into the 30s F in winter in the
northern reaches of the region. But late summer can bring
mid-70s F temperatures here. More southern waters of the
Carolinas have temperatures in the 70s F and 80s F, and can be
comfortably visited year round in a wet suit. Horizontal visibility
can range from near blackout to 100 feet or more. Best of all,
since diving isn't limited to an occasional trip to a resort, divers
can pursue the sport throughout the year. They get the glow of
getting away in just a day, and maybe a lobster dinner too.
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