How to Get Involved in the Chicago Dive Community
Chicago has a surprisingly solid dive scene, especially for a landlocked Midwest city. From club dives at local quarries to charters on Lake Michigan, there are more divers around than you might expect. The hard part is just finding them.
If you’re new to diving or just moved to the area, getting involved takes a little effort. But it pays off. You’ll meet dive buddies, get better faster, and stay active year-round (yes, even in drysuits). Below is what’s worked best for me and others trying to find their place in the local scene.
Step 1: Stay in the Loop
Start by following the dive shops near you. Most of them post local events, meetups, quarry dives, and travel opportunities to Facebook or their email list. Sign up for everything, even if you don’t go to all of it. Just seeing what’s happening helps you stay connected.
Step 2: Join the Right Groups
Dive groups in the Chicago area range from active clubs to sleepy Facebook pages. Here are a few worth checking out, with honest notes on how useful they actually are.
Chicago Dive Clubs and Groups
| Group | Focus | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest Underwater Explorers (MUE) | Recrecational and Tech diving, Great Lakes focused |
Website |
| Naperville Scuba Club | Social group dives, local meetups, travel |
Website |
| Three Oaks - Scuba Zone | Three Oaks Park dives (seasonal) | |
| Midwest Dive Buddies | Inactive group, backup option only |
Step 3: How to Actually Meet Dive Buddies
Here’s what works (and what doesn’t) when trying to connect locally:
- Show up to quarry weekends: Haigh Quarry and Pearl Lake often have shop groups diving on weekends. Walk up, ask who's diving with who, and introduce yourself. Divers are usually happy to talk.
- Take a specialty class: Local classes like Drysuit, Navigation, or Rescue are where many divers meet future buddies. You spend time underwater and at lunch. It’s more social than you think.
- Attend a club meeting or shop BBQ: Yes, it’s awkward the first time. But this is how most long-term dive friendships start.
- Offer to drive or split air fills: If you live near someone or are heading the same way, carpooling or air run-sharing is an easy way to build dive relationships.
- Don’t wait for an invite: If you’re certified and available, post in a group and say, “Anyone diving Haigh on Saturday? I’d love to join or split a tank run.” It works.
Optional: Sign Up for Travel
If you’re interested in warm water trips, many shops and clubs offer group travel. These are often open to anyone, not just their students. This is an easy way to meet other divers and see who’s worth connecting with back home too.
It’s Worth the Effort
Midwest diving can be tough to navigate solo. The visibility isn’t always great, and the logistics take more effort. But the payoff is a local community that dives for the love of it, not just on vacation. Get plugged in, and you’ll stay sharp, stay safe, and probably find dive buddies you’ll dive with for years.