How to Get Involved in the Chicago Dive Community
Chicago has a stronger dive scene than many expect for a Midwestern city. From quarry weekends to Lake Michigan charters, there are plenty of divers and regular activities. If you are new or just moved here, a little effort goes a long way. Use the steps below to get connected, meet buddies, and keep your skills sharp year round.
Step 1: Stay in the Loop
Start by following the dive shops near you. Most post events, meetups, quarry dives, and travel on Facebook or via email lists. Sign up broadly even if you cannot attend everything. Seeing what is happening keeps you aware of opportunities and helps you plan ahead.
Step 2: Join the Right Groups
Dive groups in the area range from active clubs to sleepy pages. The list below highlights options and how useful they tend to be.
Chicago Dive Clubs and Groups
| Group | Focus | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest Underwater Explorers (MUE) | Recreational 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 is what tends to work when you are trying to connect locally:
- Show up to quarry weekends: Haigh Quarry and Pearl Lake often have shop groups on weekends. Walk up, ask who is diving with whom, and introduce yourself.
- Take a specialty class: Drysuit, Navigation, or Rescue courses create built in time underwater and during breaks to meet people.
- Attend a club meeting or shop BBQ: The first time can feel awkward, but this is how many long term dive friendships start.
- Offer to drive or split air fills: Carpooling or sharing an air run is an easy way to build trust and coordination.
- Do not wait for an invite: Post clearly in a group, for example, “Anyone diving Haigh on Saturday? I would like to join or split a tank run.”
Optional: Sign Up for Travel
If warm water is your thing, many shops and clubs run group trips that are open to non students. These trips are a low friction way to meet divers, see how people operate, and find good match buddies for local weekends back home.
It Is Worth the Effort
Midwest diving can be harder to navigate solo due to logistics and variable visibility. The payoff is a community that dives for the love of it, not just on vacation. Get plugged in and you will stay active, stay safe, and likely find buddies you will dive with for years.