metaldector
Contributor
I have been researching a dive site called Croaker Hole, located in the St. Johns River, near Welaka, Florida for about a year. This site is unique in that it is seldom dived probably because it is accessible only from a boat and is not marked. In other words youd have to know where it is or youd never find it. I was determined to dive it.
I gathered all of my info and approached several dive buddies about the project and found everyone to be enthusiastic about the idea. We assembled six divers, all cave trained, made sure we had primary lights and quality backup lights, picked a date (Sunday November 6 and an alternate date. We found a perfect dive platform in a 22 pontoon boat and used my 16 StarCraft as a support boat. As the day approached I kept in touch with each diver to make sure nothing would stop this dive.
Sunday we assembled early at a restaurant where introductions were made for those who hadnt dove together before and all equipment was transferred to three cars and two boats for the 70 mile trip. We put in to Little Lake George (part of the St. Johns River) about 11 AM. Our GPS showed us the general area about 4 miles from the launch site. Once in the area we asked several fishermen where Croaker Hole was and we were guided right to it. We dropped our anchors into the black water and fed out about 65. The bottom went from 12 to 45 so we felt confident that this was the mouth of the cave. I put on my dive gear and solo dived to the river bottom to check out the anchors and report to the dive group the situation. The water was black and all light was gone in the first 24. I went down the anchor line with my hand holding the canister light and line in front of my face. At about 32 I came out of the black water into clear water and settled next to both anchors lying on white sand. I was amazed to find that I was in the mouth of the cave just as I had planned. Within the beam of my light were thousands of catfish, several blue crabs, and unfortunately empty and broken beer bottles. I picked up a couple of bottles, tucked them into my cummerbund and slowly rose back to the surface.
I reported my finding and team one, me and two dive buddies went back down. We tied off on a rock in the mouth of the cave and I started laying line. The cave was about 40 wide at the mouth and about 25 high. I laid the line on the right side of the cave moving against a strong current. I pulled and glided along this side until I had all 120 of line out. Then tied off to retrace my path and observe the cave within sight of the line. My depth was only 51 at the deepest. I pulled out the camera and took a few pictures of Blue Crabs, catfish, and try as I might I never was able to get a photo of the salt water shrimp which were everywhere. Soon we were down to thirds and started back up to daylight.
Team two entered the water and retraced my line to the back of the cave where they found a strong saltwater halocline was distorting their vision. I cant tell you of their adventure except that they all came back grinning ear to ear.
The second dive of my team was to further explore the cave. We pushed to the back and found a small opening that could be entered into saltwater. But since we didnt have anymore line we decided not to enter. Well save that for another day.
The second dive of team two went back down and recovered the reel and line, further exploring the cave. Both teams found upon turning that the current really pushed you from the back at about 3 knots.
While team two was retrieving the reel, we were visited by the State of Florida in the form of a wildlife officer in a semi-ridged boat. He told us that in the two years hed patrolled this area we were the first divers hed ever seen. What are you diving for? After we told him, he was amazed that an underwater cave and spring was there and that he hadn't seen anyone dive it, or that he didnt know anything about it. Just as he was leaving team two surfaced, surprise to see the law tied to our pontoon boat.
We ended the day, a beautiful day, on flat water, brilliant sun, with good company and fond memories. All agreed this was a unique dive and that we will be back. Attached are a few pictures. Anyone else ever dive this site?
I gathered all of my info and approached several dive buddies about the project and found everyone to be enthusiastic about the idea. We assembled six divers, all cave trained, made sure we had primary lights and quality backup lights, picked a date (Sunday November 6 and an alternate date. We found a perfect dive platform in a 22 pontoon boat and used my 16 StarCraft as a support boat. As the day approached I kept in touch with each diver to make sure nothing would stop this dive.
Sunday we assembled early at a restaurant where introductions were made for those who hadnt dove together before and all equipment was transferred to three cars and two boats for the 70 mile trip. We put in to Little Lake George (part of the St. Johns River) about 11 AM. Our GPS showed us the general area about 4 miles from the launch site. Once in the area we asked several fishermen where Croaker Hole was and we were guided right to it. We dropped our anchors into the black water and fed out about 65. The bottom went from 12 to 45 so we felt confident that this was the mouth of the cave. I put on my dive gear and solo dived to the river bottom to check out the anchors and report to the dive group the situation. The water was black and all light was gone in the first 24. I went down the anchor line with my hand holding the canister light and line in front of my face. At about 32 I came out of the black water into clear water and settled next to both anchors lying on white sand. I was amazed to find that I was in the mouth of the cave just as I had planned. Within the beam of my light were thousands of catfish, several blue crabs, and unfortunately empty and broken beer bottles. I picked up a couple of bottles, tucked them into my cummerbund and slowly rose back to the surface.
I reported my finding and team one, me and two dive buddies went back down. We tied off on a rock in the mouth of the cave and I started laying line. The cave was about 40 wide at the mouth and about 25 high. I laid the line on the right side of the cave moving against a strong current. I pulled and glided along this side until I had all 120 of line out. Then tied off to retrace my path and observe the cave within sight of the line. My depth was only 51 at the deepest. I pulled out the camera and took a few pictures of Blue Crabs, catfish, and try as I might I never was able to get a photo of the salt water shrimp which were everywhere. Soon we were down to thirds and started back up to daylight.
Team two entered the water and retraced my line to the back of the cave where they found a strong saltwater halocline was distorting their vision. I cant tell you of their adventure except that they all came back grinning ear to ear.
The second dive of my team was to further explore the cave. We pushed to the back and found a small opening that could be entered into saltwater. But since we didnt have anymore line we decided not to enter. Well save that for another day.
The second dive of team two went back down and recovered the reel and line, further exploring the cave. Both teams found upon turning that the current really pushed you from the back at about 3 knots.
While team two was retrieving the reel, we were visited by the State of Florida in the form of a wildlife officer in a semi-ridged boat. He told us that in the two years hed patrolled this area we were the first divers hed ever seen. What are you diving for? After we told him, he was amazed that an underwater cave and spring was there and that he hadn't seen anyone dive it, or that he didnt know anything about it. Just as he was leaving team two surfaced, surprise to see the law tied to our pontoon boat.
We ended the day, a beautiful day, on flat water, brilliant sun, with good company and fond memories. All agreed this was a unique dive and that we will be back. Attached are a few pictures. Anyone else ever dive this site?