Bainbridge Diving

[steelsaint]

Yesterday was my first time diving Bainbridge Quarry. I can't believe what I have been missing. The only problem is I couldn't find some of the listed items on the map. Has anyone thought of tying ropes to the different things to look at?

 

[hannahevan]

Its one of the better quarries around you should go in late fall early spring viz is 30+, but last few years entry is a little steep moneywise for quarry diving imho.I've probaly been there 50+ times and always had a good time.

 

[offthewall1]

Bainbridge is undoubtedly the best quarry within 1.5 hours of the Baltimore area.

Yes the price is steep, but I'm sure that has more to do with Insurance and amenities than price gouging. They have a nice bathhouse (although it should be down by the water - not up by the shop) and more to see than other local quarries like Millbrook (VA) Guppy Gulch (PA) or Hydes (MD.)

In quarry diving, I believe you get what you pay for around here. In other words, you can get 100+ feet at Bainbridge... not at Hydes, not at Guppy and not at Millbrook (although you can get close at Millbrook.)

The beach entry is maybe the nicest feature, the well marked (by buoy) platforms and sites such as the cement mixer and bulldozer are another and the friendliness of the staff exceeds all others. The covered tables at the beach are a nice touch as is the changing building. The biggest drawback to Bainbridge is probably the one stinky port-a-potty down at the beach. If this situation was remedied I'd almost be inclined to say there is no better quarry to dive in.

Recently the piranhas (bluegills) have been more aggressive than ever. Maybe someone needs to feed them. They don't just bite the ears and lips anymore... they go right for the forehead.

If you want to be cheap you can go to Guppy for $15... if you want to pay $20 to look at mud you go to Hydes... if you want to try something a little different you can drive to Millbrook for $17 or you can stay as close to home as possible and have an enjoyable day at Bainbridge. More fish... more sites...

If you're compelled to drive further, you go to the two best within 3+ hours of Baltimore. North to Dutch Springs (even more expensive than Bainbridge) or south to Lake Rawlings (even farther than Dutch.)

Somewhere lost in all this is the quarry at Willow Springs. About 2.5 hours from Baltimore with vis like pea soup. I hear it is under new ownership... but I haven't heard any recent reports.

Join us at Bainbridge on August 5th and 12th for some Night Diving... Call 443-772-0595 for more information...

Cheers

 

[steelsaint]

I would rather pay the price to have the great vis, than to dive the muck. I was planning on going to Millbrook until my friend told me about Bainbridge. I am so glad he told me. Is there a better map of the quarry? I could not find the cement mixer and the 50' platform. But I did find the dolphin tower which wasn't even listed on the map. I found the aqua truck, and lots of trees, but none of the other boats listed on the map. Any help?

 

[hannahevan]

Allen in case you didnt find it heres the link Dive In to BSC there is a map on the site but its a little hard to see.

 

[steelsaint]

Thanks. I looked at it at the quarry map, but it was still hard to find the items listed. They wanted to sell me an 8 1/2 x 11 Map, but for $4 buck? I was going to guess my way from the little map. The had lots of bouys floating, but I wasn't sure what they all went too. I just need to go up there a couple more times to try and find where everything is at.

 

[hannahevan]

Most attractions are right in that cove area @ area A.

 

[steelsaint]

I found most of the platforms except the 50' one. I couldn't find the mixer. How deep is it?

 

[miesemer]

The Pennsy truck is on an incline. The lowest point, the front bumper, is at about 50ft. The dolphin tower is probably not much more than 20ft from it (head northeast from the tower).

Here's a quickie video I made last year at BSC that shows some of the attractions: http://www.modscuba.com/bscVideoJune2008.shtml

 

[hannahevan]

Awesome video ,thanks.