Landlocked123
Contributor
what is the average depth? seems like full penetration cave style diving. Any and all info appreciated
Anyone Dive Bonne Terre Mine in MO? Any info appreciated
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Spell check gotcha- it's Bonne Terre. (Which I think translates as "torn bone")
It is best thought of as a large swimming pool carved out of rock. At night, with really good pool lights. The pool owner won't run the heater for the water, but it is crystal clear. Depth? I don't recall, but not very, maybe 65'?
It is something we Midwesterners might do in the Winter months, but it fell on hard times what with the decline in diving and the dirt cheap Cozumel offerings. There isn't much in the way of local accommodations, so be sure to factor what is offered into your calculations. Most folks do a couple in Saturday and one early Sunday before driving back to the family cornfield.
They do offer more advanced packages and specialized tours where there are overhead environments and potential for cave training. The main "underground pool" dive likely still does not allow carrying any flashlights lest ye wander off some dark passage. Some whine about this, but to me, it makes perfect sense.
Did I mention that the water is what you might call "refreshingly brisk"? Check their website, a good deal of information the last time I looked.
It's fun.
It is best thought of as a large swimming pool carved out of rock. At night, with really good pool lights. The pool owner won't run the heater for the water, but it is crystal clear. Depth? I don't recall, but not very, maybe 65'?
It is something we Midwesterners might do in the Winter months, but it fell on hard times what with the decline in diving and the dirt cheap Cozumel offerings. There isn't much in the way of local accommodations, so be sure to factor what is offered into your calculations. Most folks do a couple in Saturday and one early Sunday before driving back to the family cornfield.
They do offer more advanced packages and specialized tours where there are overhead environments and potential for cave training. The main "underground pool" dive likely still does not allow carrying any flashlights lest ye wander off some dark passage. Some whine about this, but to me, it makes perfect sense.
Did I mention that the water is what you might call "refreshingly brisk"? Check their website, a good deal of information the last time I looked.
It's fun.
"bonne terre" is French for "good ground" or "good earth"
CptTightPants21
Contributor
My shop ran a trip there and overall most people were not impressed. Water is cold and logistics are difficult because you need to lug all your gear down an elevator/mine shaft. We actually had one person of the party, a pretty experienced diver, get a DCS hit and need to go for a chamber ride.
They require a tour guide at all times and have a set schedule in that you need to do dive 2 before you can do dive 3, dive 3 before 4 etc. All that came away as a gimmick to extract extra money. Some people were happy they did it once, but I know of no one who was excited for doing a 2nd trip.
They require a tour guide at all times and have a set schedule in that you need to do dive 2 before you can do dive 3, dive 3 before 4 etc. All that came away as a gimmick to extract extra money. Some people were happy they did it once, but I know of no one who was excited for doing a 2nd trip.
srhein
Registered
Three of us from Michigan dived Bonne Terre a few years ago. As mentioned, they have numbered dives or "trails" that you are required to dive in sequence. The first dive was a check out dive in a well lit room with a solid bottom at about 35 feet. After that, we followed our assigned divemaster, and were followed by another diver who really didn't pay much attention to what was going on. There were about 15 in our group, of widely varying skills. There are places where you might have 150' of water below you, and we had a couple of divers who lost control of their bouyancy and had to be caught and brought back to the main group. There were several swim throughs of maybe 20-30 feet, but as I recall they could be avoided if you were uncomfortable. The water was very clear, and about 52 degrees. We were comfortable, but several in our group got cold enough to cancel some of their dives.
I enjoyed the dives overall, but there were a couple of issues. First, if you dive DIN, make sure they have tanks available since you use their tanks after carrying your gear down a lot of steps. I had specified DIN tanks when I registered, but they didn't have any available when we arrived for our first dive.
Secondly, I thought our group was too large. We had a couple of divers who had problems with equipment, running low on air, or getting cold. There wasn't enough staff available to deal with everything that happened during our dives.
At the time the cost averaged out something like $80 per dive. I thought that was a little high, especially since you can't dive a lot of the really interesting rooms until you have done the first 6 dives. I enjoyed my dives, but I am not sure I would go back.
I enjoyed the dives overall, but there were a couple of issues. First, if you dive DIN, make sure they have tanks available since you use their tanks after carrying your gear down a lot of steps. I had specified DIN tanks when I registered, but they didn't have any available when we arrived for our first dive.
Secondly, I thought our group was too large. We had a couple of divers who had problems with equipment, running low on air, or getting cold. There wasn't enough staff available to deal with everything that happened during our dives.
At the time the cost averaged out something like $80 per dive. I thought that was a little high, especially since you can't dive a lot of the really interesting rooms until you have done the first 6 dives. I enjoyed my dives, but I am not sure I would go back.
Search the Midwest divers forum, there should be lots of information there. It's on our list to do...but my wife does not like cold water. Especially after a man on a dive boat in Cozumel said the best advice for diving Bonne Terre is, "don't test the water....just jump in, if you test the water, you won't go..."
Found this...and 162 other posts.
Bonne Terre Mine Diving
Please post a review, I think that the lodging and food offering close by are limited.
Safe travels,
Jay
Found this...and 162 other posts.
Bonne Terre Mine Diving
Please post a review, I think that the lodging and food offering close by are limited.
Safe travels,
Jay
I have relatives in MO and we were planning a road trip at some point so we looked into this. It generally gets pretty poor reviews for many reasons.
Sounds like it could be a super cool dive, but the way it is managed makes it not worth it.
Sounds like it could be a super cool dive, but the way it is managed makes it not worth it.
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