Travel with Sunken Treasure Scuba Center
Maine….August 20, 2021
Roatan....October 2, 2021
Bonaire....April 16, 2022
Each year we attempt to run many programs and trips. Not all things happen due to many reasons, We've posted these trips so that you know the types of things we do. If something piques you're interest let us know. Interest is the first thing that gets a trip rolling. If you're not sure whether something is happening contact the store for the details.
Hunting Sharks Teeth
Each May we plan our annual planning to Big Brook which is located near the picturesque town of Freehold, NJ to collect fossils. This will be a one day trip leaving early Saturday morning. The historic Revolutionary War battlefield of Monmouth is close by. Big Brook, the stream for which the site is named, runs through the Cretaceous sediments, and fossils wash out and are found in the streambed. The water is usually about one to two feet deep, with some places where it's up to four feet deep. Big Brook is described as "local, abundant, and accessible". A variety of fossils are found here: shark teeth, snails, oysters, and belemnites (a hard part of an ancient squid) are common finds. Even arrowheads occasionally turn up. Only knee deep water this trip is open to anyone, as a matter of fact it's a great place for kids. For more information stop in or contact Rich at the Scuba Center. Normally ran the 1st weekend of May. 2023’s trip will be on 5/7/2023
Niagara River Drift Dive
We plan on drift dive the Niagara River on September. 24th Yes, it’s the same river that eventually spills over Niagara falls; and no, you don’t plan on going over the falls. While the current is swift, it's a safe two to three miles per hour. The trick to survival is keeping your eyes on what's in front of you to prevent collisions with rocks that seem to spring up quickly at times. Dives last 60 - 90 minutes (depending on the speed of the current) at a depth of 20 to 30 feet. The visibility is surprisingly good and there’s lots of large freshwater fish to see including bass, walleye, lake trout, the occasional salmon a rare musky and perch.
Experience the thrill of flying underwater down the mighty Niagara River!
Niagara River Drift Dive........(Advanced Certification is required or taking Drift Diver Specialty)
Gold - Gold - Gold
Let’s go find Maine's Swift River Gold
Somewhere in the mountains of southwestern Maine in Oxford county, there exists a ''mother lode'' of gold beyond the wildest dreams of any prospector. Pure conjecture? Not at all, that statement is based on solid fact and research.
For 50 years, concentrated efforts have been made by professional geologists to find the source of gold in Oxford county's brooks, lakes and ponds. The precious metal, along with some occasional platinum, is found everywhere. Presently, research is continuing in the Wilson Mills area, very close to the New Hampshire border. There is very definitely gold in "Them Thar Hills", particularly in the region of Eustis. Near Byron, the Swift River and its many feeder streams have produced more gold than all of the other (known) Maine gold regions combined. Anyone who can handle a pan will find small traces of the color if he is willing to spend the time. As many as a dozen persons can be seen panning the stream on a given day during the summer months. Some search behind the upturned stones and boulders where small nuggets sometimes collect. Fly fishermen will often set aside the rod and search for gold.
Trappers have been finding a small amount of gold in the Swift River almost since the area was opened to settlement. An approximate estimate of $7,000 of the yellow stuff was taken from among a jumbled pile of rocks at a bend of the river.
Perley Whitney took several thousand dollars worth over a period of years from one of the branches. Two Boston vacationers panned almost $500 in two week's time from one of the small brooks that flow into the Swift.
Commercial interest in the possibilities of a major strike in Maine are on the increase. The search for the world's most sought after commodity has been on the upswing in Maine for the past several years. Beginners will continue to have a ball searching for it in the streams and ponds of remote Oxford county. Superb trout fishing, gorgeous scenery and excellent camping facilities make this a natural for an entire family.
Maine has no rattlesnakes, but its black flies are the most savage on this planet.
They have been lunching on out-of-staters for almost 100 years. Do not attempt a gold panning venture before the first of August unless well supplied with sprays and netting for the entire party. Remember that you are in a region that even prominent scientists believe harbors a fabulous mother lode. There is nothing mythological about the gold of Maine.
After Rich made his first trip to this area back in 2002 and was hooked. Returning a number of times since, he has found gold each and every trip. Finally, wanting to share his experiences, he wrote the Gold Prospecting Awareness a PADI Distinctive Specialty. It took over a year but PADI approved it as the first specialty ever to be allowed to use surface supplied air.
The Gold Prospecting Awareness Specialty course is intended to serve as a safe and supervised introduction to diving for gold. The Gold Prospecting Awareness Specialty course is designed to familiarize you with the skills, knowledge, planning, procedures, techniques, hazards, conservation and enjoyment of Gold Prospecting.
In August, each year Sunken Treasure plans to take a group of only six divers to this area in search of the elusive metal. We plan to leave early Thursday evening and return late Sunday. Trip Includes: indoor and outdoor classroom work in PA & ME, learning how to pan, use of a sluice box and how to operate a dredge & hookah system, 2 nights at the local campground in ME, breakfast on Saturday & Sunday, lunch on Friday & Saturday and use of all prospecting equipment. Travel expenses are shared along with all gold found. A non-refundable $150.00 deposit holds your spot must be paid by May 31st. (camping is based on double occupancy) Date: 8/11-8/13, 2023.....Cost: $469
Bimini
Wreck Diving the Saint Lawrence
Brockville, Ontario is one of the hottest SCUBA diving destinations in Canada. Situated on the St. Lawrence river in the Thousand Islands region, it offers all the features necessary for a memorable dive holiday.
The St. Lawrence has been an important trade route from the 1700's up to the present day. The main diving attractions are the clear visibility and the many historic shipwrecks that litter the bottom of this exciting stretch of water.
In the past, dives have included the Daryaw, Gaskin, Lillie Parsons, Kings Horn, America and the Keystorm.
This is not a annual trip so if your interested let us know or keep an eye on our website & Facebook page,.
Niagara River Drift Dive 2023
This year we’ll be drift diving the Niagara River on Septembe 24thr. Yes, it’s the same river that eventually spills over the falls; and no, you won’t go over the falls. While the current is swift, it's a safe two to three miles per hour. The trick to survival is keeping your eyes on what's in front of you to prevent collisions with rocks that seem to spring up quickly at times. Dives last 60 - 90 minutes (depending on the speed of the current) at a depth of 20 to 30 feet. The visibility is surprisingly good and there’s lots of large freshwater fish to see including bass, walleye, lake trout, the occasional salmon a rare musky and perch.
Experience the thrill of flying underwater down the mighty Niagara River!
Niagara River Drift Dive........(Advanced Certification is required or taking Drift Diver Specialty)
Florida Trips in February
We plan to fly out of Philadelphia and arrive in Orlando early Thursday afternoon where we’ll drive up to Crystal River and spend Thursday & Friday evening. On Friday we’ll swim with the Manatee’s in the morning and then travel up to Rainbow River to do some fantastic fresh water drift diving and/or snorkeling. On Saturday we’ll spend the day diving Ginnie Springs. After the last dive we’ll head back to Orlando where we’ll have dinner. Sunday is spent at Epcot or Universal Studios. Our flight will return home on Monday This trip also offers the opportunity to take a Cavern or Intro to Cave Course. (call for details)
THIS TIME LINE AND PRICES WHERE IN EFFECT THE LAST TIME WE RAN THIS TRIP.
Average Cost includes: Tanks, Weights, Air Fills, Hotels - Car Rental - Snorkel with the Manatee's & Diving Rainbow River and Ginnie Springs - Extra Day at Universal Studios. $795/person/dbl.
Each year the group has a Great Time So Don't Miss Out
Experience the Thrill of a Lifetime in the Bahamas
Looking for a vacation getaway? Why not travel with us to the Bahamas for a long weekend to Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean, in April. It is conveniently isolated on the southwest end of New Providence Island (Nassau) Bahamas. YOU can enjoy lounging on the beach, shopping, snorkeling, sightseeing, golf, casinos, tennis, walks on the beach or just plain relaxing in the warm climate. SCUBA divers and snorkeler's can experience Walls, Reefs, Wrecks, Sharks, and out island "Wilderness Safari's". Dive South Ocean offers divers a state of the art facility including custom dive boats, "Fin Photo", a full service underwater photo and video center, and advanced diving opportunities including enriched air (Nitrox). For the adventurer in you, they also offer several Extreme Adventures including the Shark Adventure™ ($150 if paid when making reservation) and Wall Flying™ Adventure! Some other options we can do based on enough people is a night dive if we get 6 people or anyone can add afternoon dives if you want to dive all day. Stuart Cove’s Dive South Ocean "Has It All". We’ll be staying at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. This renovated beach front resort boasts rooms with large private balcony or patio where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, lush gardens, or waterscape, with three freshwater pools with flowing waterfalls, oversized whirlpools, and a swim-up bar, there will be plenty to do after the diving for everyone including non-divers. This is a great trip for both divers and non-divers alike.
Last Trip:
Diver/dbl occ - $1210 or single is $1965 or Non Diver/dbl occ - $755 or single $1485
Tips for Planning a Dive Vacation
Do I need a passport? Don't Wait...Get your passport now!
One of the great joys and benefits of scuba diving is the opportunity for travel. Every diver has a "dream" dive destination that he hopes to visit someday. Wherever your ideal dive destination is, this will help make getting there a little easier.
Use your dive instructor or other divers as sources for information. You can learn things about an operation or destination that publications or agents might not tell you.
Read as much information about your destination as possible. Be sure to read the most current information, resorts change ownership and methods of operation. To avoid getting old information, read publications written or updated within the last 12 months.
Decide what type of diving you are looking for on your vacation. Dive resorts can offer a wide range of activities to please novice and experienced divers alike. In addition to doing independent research, seek out the advice of dive travel experts. Dive travel specialists can provide very good insights about your chosen destination or a particular operation.
Plan your dive vacation as early as possible, One travel expert suggests that you start planning as early as one month in advance for every $100.00 you plan on spending.
Why do I have to put up a deposit? The deposit serves two purposes. First of all, your deposits go immediately to pay the deposit on the boat or hotel. We try not to ask for a higher deposit than is necessary to hold the reservations. The second reason for a deposit is to be sure that people who say they are going to join the trip actually do. Unfortunately, people often intend to join a trip but at the last minute back out unless they have a financial obligation. It's only fair to the people who organize trips and to the people who were unable to go because it was sold out that those people who said they were going actually show up! A deposit helps to insure this.
How soon do I need to give you a deposit? As soon as you RSVP for the trip. We will hold your verbal reservation for 7 days to give the deposit time to arrive, but after that if the deposit doesn't show up, your spot is up for grabs. Our goal is to fill the trips, so we cannot turn people away if the trip is not truly full. Until your deposit arrives, your spot is not confirmed! Once your deposit arrives, we will send you a confirmation e-mail.
I gave a deposit but now I can't go. What do I do? In this case, the obligation to find a replacement is yours . We will make every effort to help by contacting anyone that may have been on the standby list and putting out the word of the vacancy. Ultimately, however, the responsibility to fill the spot is yours. If the spot is filled, we will gladly return your deposit...and tell you what a great trip you missed when we get back! ;-) If we cannot fill your spot, or we have to significantly discount the spot at the last minute to sell it, you will not get your deposit back, or you may only get part of it back. I'm sorry that it has to be that way, but that is the way a deposit works. You place a deposit to hold a spot on the trip, and that deposit prevents another person from taking your spot. If you decide you don't want the spot, we are in a "bind" to fill it. The best way to be sure you will get your deposit back is to find someone to take your spot .
Ready to Go?
Well here are some General Rules:
Be flexible
Mark Your Scuba Gear
Don't forget prescription medications
Don't over pack, you have weight limits
Don't take unnecessary valuables with you
Put your essential gear in your carry on luggage
Buy Dive Insurance and/or travel insurance. We recommend Dive Assure.
HAVE FUN !!!!
