Diving the Gulf Coast
Diving the gulf coast from Mississippi to Texas includes wreck diving, ledges, and big oil rig platforms. The oil rig platforms are garden spots of marine life and fish. Marine growth on the rigs is colorful and plentiful. Tropical fish as well as large palagics habit these rigs, making spearfishing very popular. At times, you may also see eagle rays, sharks, whale sharks, dolphins, and tarpon. Oil rig diving comes in various forms from coastal rigs to offshore rigs ranging in depth from 80 to 400 feet deep. Charter services throughout this area often hit the rigs, which is a must if you’re going to dive this area.
The Flower Gardens off of Texas are also an extremely popular dive location. The Flower Gardens is national marine sanctuary and is the U.S.’s northernmost coral reef. The reefs include tropical fish, hard and soft corals, and many great palagics. The Flower Gardens are very popular with the live-aboards due to their distance offshore. For more information on the Flower Gardens, go to http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/.
Best time to dive
May through September
Visibility
Visibility averages 20 to 100+ feet
Water temperatures
Water temperatures are 85 °F in summer months and fall into the low 50s in the winter.
Weather and climate
The area has semi-tropical climate. Temperatures average in the 50s F during the winter and mid to upper 80s to 90s during the summer months.
Language
English
Passport/Visa requirements
Canadians do not require a visa, only a valid passport or a birth certificate or citizenship certificate if arriving directly from Canada. Valid passports are required for all other nationalities. Visas are required for many nationalities. You should check current requirements before traveling as requirements can change very quickly. Visitors must have return or onward tickets and the necessary documents for further travel.
Currency
U.S. Dollar – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
110 volts AC, 50 cycles. Plugs are mainly the two, flat-pin type, though three-pin plugs are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter, which can be purchased in most major departure airports.
Capital
Florida: Tallahassee
Alabama: Montgomery
Louisiana: Baton Rouge
Mississippi: Jackson
Texas: Austin
General information
The Gulf Coast is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and the states of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to the north. The gulf coast is a beachers paradise. Miles of warm water beaches run this entire coast. The popular cities of Biloxi, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama, and Galveston, Texas are just a few of the popular areas to visit. The gulf coast states and cities are rich in heritage, culture, and bring tourists from around the world. The area boasts some of the most scenic areas in the country and offers everything you could want on a vacation. Accommodations, food, nightlife, beaches, sun, sand, fun, diving, etc. all await you.