June 08

[M&P+4]

We're planning a trip to TR next June and are looking for some advice on where to eat, sleep, dive, dive and dive. We plan to arrive early Friday morning and dive until Monday....not exactly sure what Friday-Monday it will be but we're guessing either the 2nd or 3rd weekend.

Thanks,
Lyle

[scububa]

We're planning a trip to TR next June and are looking for some advice on where to eat, sleep, dive, dive and dive. We plan to arrive early Friday morning and dive until Monday....not exactly sure what Friday-Monday it will be but we're guessing either the 2nd or 3rd weekend.

Thanks,
Lyle

Several folks here can give you some good info. Are you bringing your own tanks or renting?

We always dive with the State Park Marina. A great group of folks. They will work with you for the skill level of the group. They have two boats now. They go out 2x a day. 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. each for a one tank dive. It is a little early for them to be scheduled, but as it gets closer, sometimes the marina does night dives. You can also rent a pontoon boat at the marina, which we do a lot.
Since you are on the edge of Branson, eating and sleeping is not much of a problem. There are places across the street, down towards Taneycomo, and on into the edge of Branson. We usually stay at the camp ground at that time of year. Later in the year it gets too hot. It really depends on the amenities you are looking for. We have stayed in the camp ground, at the close by dive motels, at motels, at cabins (on Indian Point), and rented condos. There is a high end hotel close to the dam (Chateau on the Lake). One of our favorite places to eat is the Wooden Nickel. Drop me a PM.
There is a least one other shop, but I don't have any experience with them. You can also dive at the dam with out a boat. Close to a parking lot, boat restricted. Shallow or deep. Does tend to have classes a lot.

[DeepDiverBob]

I have dove with scuba sports out of Branson. Good group of people as well. When I am down there, I am there for the diving, so I avoid down town Branson like the plague. I like to stay at the Table Rock Inn. Really nice folks, and they have a restaurant right there on site. Its not the hilton, but I'm sure they are proud of their kids.

[MgicTwnger]

I avoid down town Branson like the plague.

Really? I would have pegged you for a Yakov Smirnoff fan for sure. Or maybe that Japanese country fiddle player.

[juls64]

Really? I would have pegged you for a Yakov Smirnoff fan for sure.


Bob, I didn't know you drank vodka.

[DeepDiverBob]

Really? I would have pegged you for a Yakov Smirnoff fan for sure. Or maybe that Japanese country fiddle player.

Always a comedian, and never a good one...

[Wkndbum]

We're planning a trip to TR next June and are looking for some advice on where to eat, sleep, dive, dive and dive. We plan to arrive early Friday morning and dive until Monday....not exactly sure what Friday-Monday it will be but we're guessing either the 2nd or 3rd weekend.

Thanks,
Lyle

Lyle, how about Bull Shoals instead? It wouldn't be much further for you. Spear fishing season starts June 15 down there. I'll be there from the 14th thru 18th with my pontoon if you want to do some dives with me.

I'm camping @ Ozarkisle with a bunch of other spearfishing guys/gals.

If you're interested, I can send you web site's of the resorts I've stayed @ down there.

If you've never been to Branson, it is neat to see, at least once. There are some things there that your kids would like. I've been diving with Scuba Sports & they're a good group. Louis (owner) will be spearfishing with us @ Bull Shoals.

Terry

[M&P+4]

I guess I left out the part about it being a trip with the LDS - we're not sure how many folks will be going, but I'm sure there will be 6-8 of us. I doubt any of us would want to spend any time in Brandson, but that would depend on the mix of folks that would be going.

How much further is Bull Shoals? Is the diving comparable to TR? I'm all for spear fishing myself....the fish will be safe for sure though :-)

[theskull]

6-8 divers is the perfect number to make renting a pontoon boat affordable. The State Park Marina rents them reasonably, and they will also give you a map with the better dive sites marked on it. Make sure you either make your arrangements with SLIM (on this board) or with Diver Dick (the harbormaster, who runs the dive shop) for the best results. Rental tanks and air fills are available right there on the dock, as is a limited amount of rental gear should you need any.

Have a blast!

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

I have dove with scuba sports out of Branson. Good group of people as well. When I am down there, I am there for the diving, so I avoid down town Branson like the plague. I like to stay at the Table Rock Inn. Really nice folks, and they have a restaurant right there on site. Its not the hilton, but I'm sure they are proud of their kids.

Just a bit more info for you, incase you go this route...

Table Rock Inn
5631 State Hwy 165
Branson Mo, 65616
417-334-4965 or 800-234-5890

They are practically right across the road from the Marina, and a mile from the dam, and you never have to enter the tourist traps known as down town Branson. Again, they are not luxury, but a good place to lay down at night after diving.

[M&P+4]

6-8 divers is the perfect number to make renting a pontoon boat affordable. The State Park Marina rents them reasonably, and they will also give you a map with the better dive sites marked on it. Make sure you either make your arrangements with SLIM (on this board) or with Diver Dick (the harbormaster, who runs the dive shop) for the best results. Rental tanks and air fills are available right there on the dock, as is a limited amount of rental gear should you need any.

Have a blast!

theskull

SLIM - what's a long weekend of pontoon rental cost?

[SLIM]

Oh I have no idea, it would depend on the weekend time of the season and how busy we are, You know that we would make the best deal that we could.

SLIM

[theskull]

SLIM - what's a long weekend of pontoon rental cost?

As SLIM says, it varies, but to put you in the ballpark I have paid as little as $80 for a half-day and as much as $240 for a full day during the off-season when they are not busy.

And be warned that they are sometimes all rented out in advance; I have arrived with money in hand to be turned away.

Bonus: If you book the boat for more than 1 day you can leave your gear aboard the boat overnight between days! They have good security.

theskull

[scububa]

Yeah, you are right on the brink of the busy period picking up. Third week of June is getting busy. Early June not as busy. Reservations are the way to go. I checked the site (www.stateparkmarina.com (http://www.stateparkmarina.com)) and while it may not have the new season rates up yet, they will give you a good idea. They use to have a bonus rate for multiple day rentals. I don't see it posted, but you might ask, I also don't remember exactly how many days it took, but I think it was more than two.

Other benefits to using the boats there...

divers and dive shop on the dock that can put you on spots to dive
air fills right there, no schleping your tanks up and down hills
dive shop for any forgotten items and possibly repairs (depending on how busy and complicated the repair)
tons of parking and carts to get your gear to the dock

[DeepDiverBob]

Yeah, you are right on the brink of the busy period picking up. Third week of June is getting busy. Early June not as busy. Reservations are the way to go. I checked the site (www.stateparkmarina.com (http://www.stateparkmarina.com)) and while it may not have the new season rates up yet, they will give you a good idea. They use to have a bonus rate for multiple day rentals. I don't see it posted, but you might ask, I also don't remember exactly how many days it took, but I think it was more than two.

Other benefits to using the boats there...
divers and dive shop on the dock that can put you on spots to dive
air fills right there, no schleping your tanks up and down hills
dive shop for any forgotten items and possibly repairs (depending on how busy and complicated the repair)
tons of parking and carts to get your gear to the dock

A few cute girls working there too. Always a plus.

[SLIM]

We always have a few good looing gals to help out behind the counter. Just reember we will also have the status of the lake as it changes through out the season. Youjust never know what might be going on.

SLIM