Dive Haven, GA update

[DiverKKC]

I've read a few threads of people asking about Dive Haven (new quarry in GA). I've dove there a couple of times and thought I'd share my experience.

Owners are very nice and accomodating. They're still making on-site improvements (new office and such), but have all ready provided all you really need; multiple covered picnic/gear-up areas at quarry's edge, multiple docks for entry and platforms of varying depths for training, changing rooms, and air/nitrox refill station.

Parking is nice...right behind the picnic table area and only a hop, skip, and jump from water's edge.

I've heard some people complain about the visibility. On my two visits it's been about 15-20 feet, no complaints here. Granted, when you're in the middle of the quarry, with no visual reference, the vis seems much worse. But, when you dive various depths of the limestone wall/formations around the perimeter (which I like to do), you realize it really isn't too bad. Actually makes for a very enjoyable dive.

Things to see; crane at 40 ft on backside of quarry, a couple automobiles and a boat- I think they have planned on sinking more stuff. Life is catfish, carp, bass, turtles and brim. Actually had a good size carp bolt out of his crevasse in the limestone at 45-50 feet and graze right off the side of my head...pretty cool.

Max depth is 165 ft. Surface water temp was 68 last weekend, 72 a month ago. Thermocline is around 35-40 feet. I've been pretty comforatble in my 3 mm full w/ hood. But I only spent about 1/3 of my time beneath the thermocline, and am warm natured. Going deep?...probably need a dry suit or 7 mm.

The quarry is in White, GA...about 40 minutes up 75 from Atlanta. I'm just glad to have a new site close to Atlanta!

 

[Matteo]

I've heard mostly great reviews of the place...too bad we didn't have anything like that during my 30 plus years in ATL

 

[brutus_scuba]

The place looks pricey for a quarry...it doens't look like they have camping either too bad. It would have made a great halfway spot between Ohio and Cave Country (I may be looking down the road a lil when I start thinking like that)

 

[Yellow Angel Fish]

:blinking: It is great to see that folks are sharing the information regarding the newest dive site in Georgia. I was recently in another state and heard folks saying how "awful the new quarry was for diving" when I questioned them about their personal experiences while diving the quarry, they admitted that they had not even been there. Unless you live in a tropical paradise, dive sites can be a bit rare for some of us. Please think before you speak about a site especially if you don't have first hand experience.

By the way, I have been diving in Dive Haven and will dive there again. My hat, or hood, is off to those guys. They have done a great deal of work in a very short period of time.

 

[ShallowDiverDave]

update from this weekend: water temp at 35 feet (above thermocline) was 59 deg F. BTW, I wore a 3mm, burrrrr. Luckily the great guys up there supplied me with some gloves...I also used a 3/5 mm hood. I only lasted 30 mins with a max depth of 40 ft.

 

[rrhigh3]

I have was there 2 weeks ago. Had a good time. Hit a max depth of 70 ft with a temp of 51 degrees. Visibility was good at the edges or at the bottom where you had a reference. One odd thing was around 70 ft on the far side there was this black muck. Anyone know what this might be?

 

[mikerault]

Last group of DIR divers that lost their way?

Mike

 

[irishsquid]

Last group of DIR divers that lost their way?

Mike

Good one!

I dove there once last year. I haven't gone back there again, yet. I had mixed feelings about the place at that time, but would dive there again. I don't remember the water being that cold. The topside area was top-notch and comfortable. The staff was very friendly, laidback, and accomodating. Me and my friends dived along the wall and it was enjoyable. What I didn't enjoy was when we got away from the wall, headed toward the center and deeper the viz was more like coffee. I keep hearing from some local divers that everytime they go, the viz was not the best, similar to what I described, but the report they hear is, "You should've been here yesterday, the viz was nearly 75' at 60ft." All said, it's wet, has decent facilities, and is a different place to dive that's fairly close. To echo YAF, Can't dive in "Tap Water" all the time!