All About SCUBA Diving in Chicagoland

Weclome to the Sea Lions Virtual Dive Center

Welcome to our Virtual Dive Center. You can visit our brick and mortar store at 1138 E. Lake Street in Hanover Park.

The sport of SCUBA Diving in Chicagoland and the Midwest has a split personality. There are two very different types of diving referred to as Warm Water and Cold Water. Warm water diving involves travel to far away and sometimes exotic locations to dive in clear warm water with colorful tropical fish. The local diving involves diving in the fresh water lakes and quarries found locally. The water is generally colder but that does not mean it is always cold. As I write this the surface temperature reported at our local quarry last week end was 77 degrees, although it was considerably cooler below the thermocline at twenty-two feet. We also have colorful fish in the Midwest....brown and green are colors.

In our Virtual Dive Center we have a collection of articles on everything from buying equipment to local diving and dive vacations. We also have articles on both of our personalities. We have a number of articles on local diving including how to learn to dive. We also have articles on warm water destinations and trip reports.

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Try SCUBA

You Cannot Love SCUBA if You Don't Try it

Have you always wanted to try scuba diving but were afraid to sign up for SCUBA lessons because of time commitment or you are not sure if you can do it?

There are a number of ways to try SCUBA. Most Dive Centers such as Sea Lions Dive Center have opportunities to try scuba. At resorts they will often have in introductory experience often called a resort course.

To Visit our TRY SCUBA Page Click Here

http://www.squidoo.com/tryscuba

Learn to SCUBA Dive in the Midwest

there are three parts to the SCUBA Certification course; Knowledge Development, Confined Water and Open Water Dives.

For a detailed discussion of the Open Water Course Click Here.

http://www.squidoo.com/howtolearntoscubadive

How Old Do You Need to Be to Dive?

One of the most often asked questions at the Dive Center is "How old does my daughter/son need to be to take SCUBA diving lessons?" In this lens we will explore this answers.

Click here to visit this lens.

http://www.squidoo.com/agetodive

Learn to Dive in Warm Water

Sea Lions is hosting a class this January. Do your classroom and pool with Sea Lions locally then travel the the Bahamas for three day of diving including your open water dives .

For details on our Bahamas Class Click Here.

Top Ten Dive Sites in Chicagoland

Yes there are top ten dive sites in Chicago. When most people think of SCUBA diving they thinks of warm water and colorful fish but there is great diving close to home. I offer the following as my top ten dives in the Chicagoland area. For the purposes of this article I have defined "Chicagoland" to be roughly from Milwaukee on the north, the southern tip of Lake Michigan on the south, the near shore of Lake Michigan on the east and Rockford on the west. I admit to a fascination with wrecks and you will see my bias in the following list. I welcome you comments and suggestions below.

Now you can tell us your favorite Chicagoland Dive Site. CLICK HERE.

Lake Michigan Charter Trip Report

You Can Visit the Wrecks of Lake Michigan Aboard Charter Boats

Sea Lions Dive Center took a group of thirteen divers to dive the wreck of the Straits of Mackinaw and the Wells Burt. To read our trip report Click Here

Nekton Cruises Live aboard to St Croix

Sea Lions Dive Center organizes trips to warm warter locations. We will travel to St. Croix aboard the live aboard the Nekton Rorqual the week of August 8th, 2009. For complete details on the report Click Here

http://www.squidoo.com/nekton

Key Largo Dive Vacation

Several time a year Sea Lions Dive Center travels to dive the wrecks of Key Largo.

The trip includes hotel at the The Pelican Key Largo Cottages on the Bay , diving at Island Ventures and breakfast and lunch on dive days. Transportation is available on a shared cost basis or you can arrange your own.

Island Ventures is a Coast Guard Certified 27 foot Island Hopper with Captain Ann Stadler.

To Visit our Key Largo site with information on out next trip Click Here.

http://www.squidoo.com/divekeylargo

Selecting Dive Gear

Buying dive gear can be a confusing process. Many styles, manufacturers, warranties, and even colors are available at you local dive center (LDC) or on the Internet. To complete you purchase of dive gear successfully you will need to research not only what is available but also what gear is appropriate for the diving you will be doing.

If you are new to diving you will need at least the following dive gear: mask, fins, booties if you select open back fins, snorkel, buoyancy compensation device, regulator and exposure suit - skin, wet suit or dry suit as appropriate for the climate you will be diving in.

Often it will be more cost effective to rent your gear or at least part of it at a LDC until you understand your needs better. Be very careful of buying used equipment particularly on the Internet or EBay. Used dive gear at great prices is often damaged, under maintained and or underperforming which is why the person is getting rid of it.

To Visit our Dive Gear Site Click Here.

http://www.squidoo.com/buydivegear

Top Ten Gifts for Divers Under $50

We have prepared a special site with gifts for the diver in you life.

Click Here for the list.

North Carolina Wreck Diving

The ocean off North Carolina is call the Graveyard of the Atlantic because of the many wrecks that were victims of NAZI submarines during World War II.

Several times a year Sea Lions Dive Center takes groups of divers to dive these wrecks from Morehead City, NC.

We dive from the Mutiny a 44 foot USGC certified vessel. We stay at Hollowel"s Motel in Atlantic Beach.

The trip includes hotel, three days of three dives per day - two Nitrox and one air - and breakfast and lunch on dive days.

Transportation is available on a cost shearing basis or arrange your own.

To Visit our North Caroline Wreck Diving Site Click Here.

http://www.squidoo.com/NCdivetrip

Haigh Quarry our Local Training and Dive Site

Haigh Quarry is an excellent place for Open Water and Advanced classes. It is close to the Dive Center, about an hour and fifteen minutes, there are little or no waves, and no current.

The facilities are comfortable and clean. There is plenty to see underwater including a boat, landing craft and lots of fish.

To Visit out site on Haigh Quarry Click Here

http://www.squidoo.com/haighquarry