When people think of Chicago, they think of deep-dish pizza, brutal winters, questionable shots of Malört, and sitting in endless traffic on the Kennedy. They do not typically think of scuba diving.
But here is a little secret the coastal dive snobs don't want you to know. Not only is there a massive, thriving scuba scene right here in the Midwest, but learning to dive in the Chicagoland area is actually the ultimate life hack for anyone who loves the water.
Before you book that expensive resort package in the Bahamas, let’s talk about why you should trade the concrete jungle for a scuba tank right here at home.
The Midwest Forge Makes You Bulletproof
Here is the hard truth about learning to dive on a tropical island. It makes you soft. If you learn in 84-degree, crystal-clear water wearing nothing but a swimsuit, you are going to panic the second visibility drops or the water gets chilly.
Learning to dive in a Midwest quarry or a local lake builds absolute badasses. You learn elite buoyancy control because you are wearing a thicker wetsuit. You develop hardcore situational awareness. You get intimately familiar with your gear.
The ultimate flex? If you can dive comfortably in Illinois, diving in the Caribbean will literally feel as easy as floating in a warm bathtub. You will be the best diver on the vacation boat, guaranteed.
We Have World-Class Shipwrecks in Our Backyard
You don't need to fly across the globe to see incredible underwater sights. Lake Michigan is hiding a world-class underwater museum right off the skyline.
We have what we call the "freshwater advantage." Saltwater destroys wooden ships in a matter of decades, but the cold, fresh water of the Great Lakes preserves 100-year-old schooners like they sank yesterday. You can dive on massive, beautifully intact wrecks from the 1800s that look like ghost ships suspended in time. It is an experience you simply cannot get in the ocean.
Stop Wasting Your Tropical Vacations
This is the logistical argument for the busy Chicago professional. Never learn to dive on vacation. Imagine spending thousands of dollars to fly to Mexico, only to spend the first three days of your trip sitting in a stuffy classroom and doing mask-clearing drills in the hotel pool. It is an absolute tragedy.
Instead, do your classroom and confined water (pool) sessions with us in the suburbs during the winter or spring. You can knock out your certification dives locally, or we can set you up with a referral to finish them in the tropics. When you step off that plane, you will be a certified diver ready to hit the reef immediately.
The Unpretentious Midwest Dive Scene
Some coastal dive operators have a snooty, elitist vibe. That doesn't fly here. The Midwest dive scene is built on genuine camaraderie.
Around here, a surface interval usually involves sitting on the tailgate of a truck, eating a bratwurst off a portable grill, and complaining about the Bears. It’s unpretentious, incredibly welcoming, and the easiest way to make lifelong friends who share your weird obsession with breathing underwater.
Yes We Are in the Suburbs and You Will Thank Us
Dive Right In Scuba is located in Plainfield, Orland Park, and soon to be in Joliet. Yes, that means taking a reverse commute out of the city.
Why aren't we in the Loop? Two words. Free parking. Try parallel parking a car loaded with four heavy scuba tanks and soaking wet gear in River North. It’s a nightmare. Out in the burbs, we have massive showrooms and pools where you can actually test out gear, huge parking lots, and first-class instructors facilities. It is well worth the drive down I-55.
Trade the L for a Scuba Tank
Stop putting it off. The underwater world is waiting, and the best place to prepare for it is right in your own backyard.
Ready to take your first breath underwater? Check out the class selection at Dive Right In Scuba and sign up for your Open Water certification today.