Alexander Springs/Ocala forest weekend

[simbrooks]

I have checked out previous comments on the board about Alexander Springs, and some others mentioned Blue Springs as an alternate (which we might consider if we have time). The other thread was:

http://www.scubaboard.com/t41632.html trip report

Our plan is to do a little diving, biking and kayaking on a camping weekend in the Ocala forsest. I read the above report and know of the potential sand problems, we shall attempt better buoyancy and frog kicks to try our best to avoid that. I hear that the max is 25-27ft, across a 100ft wide bowl. I wasnt sure if there was any more than 1 tank's worth. Also can you dive the run that flows off to St Johns?? Deloach's book suggested that this run is good for relic hunting - how deep is that, is it a boat route??

I have also heard that this spring is used by OW classes, would that be early in the morning to get it over with like at some other lakes and springs (at Lk Denton they did this)? Just trying to work out what would be best timing wise, also how far is the car park to spring??

As for blue springs, according to Deloach's book, this has very little there, its only 10ft deep to the start of a shaft that is 60ft deep, beyond which we couldnt go as we arent cave cert. Is there anything there for the OW diver??

We are planning a camping weekend before the nasty weather and bugs come back (probably before april). Any suggestions on suitable sites of the variety offered in Ocala forest around the Alexander Springs?

We have a aspirations of a Ginnie Springs camping weekend with an LDS, so hopefully that would inspire us on this other journey. Also we might hit the Venice dive on 1/11 so low viz and relic hunting skills will be improved!

Hope all had a good xmas and great new year of diving!!

 

[The Chairman]

The Florida Trail runs right by Aexander Springs. You can park your car in their lot (for a slight fee) and have fun! You can also camp right there in the park (the same is true for Blue Spring).

You won't have as many OW classes in the spring in the spring wink that you get at Lake Denton. Dive shops are notoriously CHEAP. You have to pay to teach at the springs (unless you teach for free like me). This has cut WAY down on the number of classes there. The flow is significant enough that any "fish poo" that gets stirred up by the rototillers is flushed down stream in about 15 minutes or so.

I love to teach at the spring, though I don't consider it a spot to explore anymore. It is a "must dive" in my book. Make sure to take a long leisurely swim along the weed line to look for the hundreds of turtles and tons of fish that hang out there. You might see a tiny gator or two, but the rangers do a spectacular job of keeping them free. I also think the bathers do a good job of scaring them away as well!

 

[simbrooks]

Would the camping fee paid to the US Forestry Service (they said if you were camping then didnt have to pay other USFS fees) cover the Fl Trail car park fee? What if you are a member of the FTA (Florida Trail Assoc.)? From the maps i saw, the camping looked a little hike from the spring - fine IF you arent wearing your scuba gear! But not so exciting if you are. I guess as it is a spring, its probably around 70-72F water temp, possibly a little higher depending on the flow.

By weedline, do you mean the bank, or the run or what? It sounds like fun, dont know if it is worth two tanks or just one though - for a new diver to that spring could it be a two tank? Also, is my nearest fill station CN Divers in Eustis, or is there one closer? I would imagine that most people take all the tanks they need, my little sentra is going to be scraping the floor again with bikes, kayaks, scuba and camping gear stuffed into it! Just wondering if we only took two tanks that might save some weight.

Do you take US441-SR19 up there or I-4 and SR46-SR46A-SR44-SR19? Also if you were to drive from Alexander Springs to Blue Springs would you take SR44 most of the way? Its hard to mapquest state parks!!

Thanks again Pete, still considering the Scubaducks thing, cant get the link to work from your signature - is the website still there?

 

[The Chairman]

If you are parking at the camp, just leave your dive gear in the car and hike without it! CN Divers is probably the closest. I would use one tank for Alexander Springs and one tank for Blue Spring. My students get two 30 minute dives out of Alexander with lots of air left. The "weed line" is better termed the edge of the weeds growing out from the shore. To get to Blue Spring from Alexander, I turn left and sort of fake it. wink If you are going to do these on the same day, I would probably do Blue Spring first (lots deeper) and Alexander second. Our Scuba Ducks link will be active again shortly. Blue Spring is run by the Florida Park Service, and Alexander Springs is run by the USFS.

 

[SmokeAire]

I'm about 40 minutes from Alexander Springs so it's a very conveniant place to go diving and it only costs 5 bucks to get in as a diver. You do have to give them your C-card at the gate when you pay, you do get it back when you leave. FYI: they don't seem concerned if you are a solo diver, the "buddy" question was never asked. And it's cheap.

As far as the hike from the car park is concerned it's only a 3 minute or so walk. There are canoe carts that you can load your eqp. on. The park is also equiped with out door porta johns, changing rooms and showers. Also a concession stand, picnic tables and bbq grills. And it's cheap.

I think the spring is very nice, not deep-20-30 ft., but the more I dive there the more interesting things I see. Nice boils, a small cave, vents, lots of fish. I like to go there for a relaxing day and it's a great place to practice skills and new equipment. As a matter of fact I'll be there next Sat. to play with my new weight pouch ( as opposed to weight belt) in preperation for the "Blue Lipped Diver"dive at Venice Beach. And the fish, there is a ledge at around fifteen feet, on the right hand side of the spring when you get in, that I have sat on and within minutes surrounded by hundreds of fish looking for a hand out. Kinda cool. And it's a great snorkeling place for non-divers.

The river is very nice, wide but shallow. Snorkel it. You can also rent canoes there.

Oh yea did I mention that it's CHEAP.

Pleae note that one of the most important diving accessories that one must have when diving Alexander Springs is some sort of head gear such as a doo-rag, a ball cap. Not to keep your head warm but to keep all the little pieces of stone,shell pieces or whatever you call it from getting in your hair. The stuff is everywhere. Don't say I didn't warn ya.
Check the rule board there, I don't think dive knives are permitted.

BTW: If your going to dive Blue Springs get there early. Only 45 divers are allowed at a time and, and this is a big one a no no when you dive ...DO NOT EVEN THINK OF BRINGING A DIVE LIGHT!!!! Not even a tiny one. Or your very expensive gear is GONE and you will be fined. Maybe jailed (don't know about this one but it stands to reason).

Hope this helps a bit,
Chuck

 

[dive4funOften]

When are you meeting?

I have checked out previous comments on the board about Alexander Springs, and some others mentioned Blue Springs as an alternate (which we might consider if we have time). The other thread was:

http://www.scubaboard.com/t41632.html trip report

Our plan is to do a little diving, biking and kayaking on a camping weekend in the Ocala forsest. I read the above report and know of the potential sand problems, we shall attempt better buoyancy and frog kicks to try our best to avoid that. I hear that the max is 25-27ft, across a 100ft wide bowl. I wasnt sure if there was any more than 1 tank's worth. Also can you dive the run that flows off to St Johns?? Deloach's book suggested that this run is good for relic hunting - how deep is that, is it a boat route??

I have also heard that this spring is used by OW classes, would that be early in the morning to get it over with like at some other lakes and springs (at Lk Denton they did this)? Just trying to work out what would be best timing wise, also how far is the car park to spring??

As for blue springs, according to Deloach's book, this has very little there, its only 10ft deep to the start of a shaft that is 60ft deep, beyond which we couldnt go as we arent cave cert. Is there anything there for the OW diver??

We are planning a camping weekend before the nasty weather and bugs come back (probably before april). Any suggestions on suitable sites of the variety offered in Ocala forest around the Alexander Springs?

We have a aspirations of a Ginnie Springs camping weekend with an LDS, so hopefully that would inspire us on this other journey. Also we might hit the Venice dive on 1/11 so low viz and relic hunting skills will be improved!

Hope all had a good xmas and great new year of diving!!

 

[simbrooks]

I will definately inform my GF of the hair problem, as for me, anything like that comes out easily from my short hair!

I am still wondering what we can do at Blue Springs, if it is just a shallow area with a single deep shaft, what else can you do there? So no lights at Blue Springs and no knives at Alexander Springs - might as well leave them at home! Do they allow night diving in Alexander Springs or does the park 'close' at 5? Have fun with you new pouch this weekend Chuck, look forward to seeing you sporting it down in Venice! As for "trip details", we were kind of planning this as a weekend away together, just me and the GF - bit of camping, biking and kayaking alongside the diving. I can let people know how it went, so they can work out if they would like to do it? As for timing, i am not really sure, we are planning to go to VB (1/11), Jupiter (1/23-24), Ginnie Springs (2/14-15), so it will probably be after that around the end of feb or beginning of march - depending on weather as well! There may also be other trips organised by our friendly LDS which we might go on (planning about one boat/large trip and one smaller trip/shore diving if possible as well per month ) so that could change our plans again.

Thanks for the help and advice so far!

 

[SmokeAire]

Hmmm....I don't know about night diving. Never thought to ask. Good question. Since there is camping at Alexander the park can't really close. I'll be sure to ask this Sat. when I'm there ,which will be around 1:00pm, and I'll let you know.

Chuck

 

[simbrooks]

Wish we could get up there to have a go as well, but my GF's family are all down for new year, stops us from having any other fun! Would be interested to find out what is available there, didnt think to ask myself when i was passing thru and got the info on the prices etc. I know i have had fun on other dives like that at night after a day, in a not too tough environment.

 

[SmokeAire]

It looks like we will be going to Alexander Springs on Sun.instead of Sat. I plan to get there at 11am.

Going to Troy Springs on Sat. instead. I Plan to be there at 9am.
When it rains it pours.

Chuck