Dive sites in northern Florida

[Bobb]

My newly certified nephew and I are planning a long weekend dive trip to Fl. this winter...we're in SC and will be driving down...so the closer to the Ga. line the better..any ideas? Springs are alright but I would like to take him in salt water just so he can experience the differences..also, a walk in site & not a boat dive would be better...looking forward to your responses....thanks!!!!

 

[Bishop]

You are not going to find a whole lot in Northern FL that isn't deep (or at least on the west side that is) The springs can be a lot of fun, especially ones with big caverns. I took my gf to Ginnie for her first dives and by the end of the day I took her into the cavern. She had a great time but I was stressed out looking out for her. She even was aware of the crap she might stir up with her fins and I got her into the "Don't touch the bottom" mentality. *grin* Well, she wants to do another one so I might take her to Blue Grotto or something.

 

[Bobb]

mark3397
thanks for the input, I've been considering Blue Grotto, Devils Den, etc. but would like to do saltwater...I think we'll be going to Charleston, SC in a couple of weeks....if the weather stays ok...
in that case, then diving the springs would be ok...

 

[scubanole]

Bobb,

Like mark said there isn't much land based saltwater diving in the panhandle that I know of. Some exceptions may be the jetties at PC, Destin(don't know for sure ), or Pensacola(don't know here either). You do have to catch the jetties at PC on high tide. I really have no idea about diving on the Atlantic side of Florida say around Jacksonville. You may want to get a book called Underwater guide to Florida Diving, or something close to that. I think it is by Ted DeLoach. I have it at home and it has a bunch of sites all over the state, both fresh and salt. Good luck.

 

[SM Diver]

I did Blue Grotto last Friday. My view of Grottos had been tainted by some of the "ugly" ones I had been in. Blue Grotto was different, and was very scenic and clean. I was with a certified Cave Dive Instructor, and we went down to the bottom, at the lowest point, which is about 91 feet right now. Once you get to the bottom it's basically a cave dive, but under controlled circumstances with the permanent guide ropes in place. You circle back around, through the cave, to the other side, where it becomes a cavern dive again. Some might call the whole thing a cavern dive, because even at the lowest point you can see the faintest evidence of light.

There is a rope at around 50 feet marking where to stop if not a cave diver.

It's pretty cool going into the air bell to talk at 30 feet. You should try that. Just stay out of the caves. The only reason I did it was because I was with my instructor, and he knew the grotto very well.

 

[Bobb]

TampaScott
thanks for the info on Blue Grotto, it sounds like a decent place to go...what about prices, places to stay, etc? thanks
Bobb

 

[Bishop]

Bobb once bubbled...
TampaScott
thanks for the info on Blue Grotto, it sounds like a decent place to go...what about prices, places to stay, etc? thanks
Bobb

It is $27 per diver. They have tank rental/fills there. There are quite a few hotels to stay at by the highway (I-75).

 

[SM Diver]

Bobb, I sent you the PM with the link. Here's another link with some photos: http://www.sfdj.com/springs_issue/bgrotto.htm

Yep, $27 for entry. It's very scenic. They have picnic tables, so pack a lunch to enjoy during an SI.

You could do a hotel search in expedia.com for "Williston, Florida."

P.S.: Devils Den is very close, almost right across the street. Many people dive both Blue Grotto and Devils Den in the same day. I haven't done DD, but would be interested to hear how it is.