Vacation Trips

As a courtesy to our divers, Diver's Emporium arranges dive trips to various locations during the year.  We have arranged trips for divers to locations all over the world.  Some as close as off the coast of Texas and the Bahamas to as far away as Truk Lagoon in the Pacific.  Read below for a description of these completed or upcoming trips.

U.S.S. Oriskany

Located 22.5 miles off our local shoreline, the U.S.S. Oriskany is the world's largest artificial reef.  

On a past trip, divers from Diver's Emporium made two incredible dives on this almost 900 foot aircraft carrier.  The flight deck was accessible as it sat at 137 feet, but the majority of the diving was done on the island, which rises up to 65 feet above the deck and 70 feet below the surface.  Doors and windows had been removed which allowed divers to explore many areas in and around the island including the main bridge and the flight control tower.  Seas were perfect , no swells or waves.  Visibility was 80+ feet on these dives, though you could see the top part of the island as soon as you hit the water.  We were informed by the captain that on previous trips the visibility allowed you to see the deck at 135 feet once you entered the water.

Having been underwater since May 2006, the  growth on the Mighty O has begun with sea life moving in.  There are schools of bait fish, some snapper, amberjack, and crevalle jacks.  Living on the ship are blennies, many small blue crabs, some juvenile filefish, octopus and bright blue tropicals.

To get reservation information for a trip to the Oriskany, call 1-888-518-3483.

Inside a power room                            Inside the main bridge

FLOWER GARDENS  (We make this trip every year!)

This year's annual trip will be July 27-29, 2009.  Other dates are available this season.  Call 1-888-518-3483. 

The Flower Garden Banks are part of a National Marine Sanctuary located 105 miles directly south of the Texas/Louisiana border.  These are the northern-most coral reefs in the United States and are perched atop two salt domes rising above the sea floor.  There are over 300 acres of incredible reefs.  Just below 50 feet, you encounter the shallowest portions of the high diversity reef habitat, which continues to depths around 100-120 feet.  Mass spawning of the coral can be seen each year about eight nights after the full moon in August or early September.  

Off a 100’ live-a-board cruise boat, our divers have visited the Flower Gardens Marine Sanctuary and the Stetson banks with a few dives on oil/gas rigs.  Divers make up to 11 total dives in 3 days, including night dives.  At the Flower Gardens, divers saw 21 different types of corals and over 250 reef invertebrates and 175 different types of fish, most notable the manta ray.  The Stetson Banks presents a unique dive profile, as the banks are 40% sponges among the many colorful reef fish that live there.  On the live- board boat, the gear stays on deck ready for divers to make the next dive – no hauling it to and from a hotel room.  While on board, meals were provided, which included fresh shrimp obtained from nearby shrimp boats. 

The cost for this year's trip is $565 with air, $655 with Nitrox.  We are taking sign-ups now.  $300 deposit reserves your seat.

Go to www.gulf-diving.com for information on the Flower Gardens and boats.

These photos are from the  2007 Flower Gardens trip.

For a special vacation, we can arrange for your personal trip.  Just call us at 1-888-518-3483 or email us at manager@diversemporium.net.