I'm going to attend a conference in South Florida in February. I'd like to mix a little business with pleasure by doing some diving. I was curious how the diving/cave diving in Florida was in February or the winter months? I would like to do some training if possible, but I wasn't sure if the conditions were adequate.
Florida Caves in February
- Thread starter toddr
- Start date
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Caver95
Contributor
its GREAT!!! where in south FL?
The pool is always open in FL. The ocean may be a different story.
ucfdiver
Contributor
Winter months are best to dive the springs in, no tubers, swimmers, or drunks!
cmufieldhockey8
Contributor
And you don't sweat to death putting your gear on.
Be aware that weather is very changeable in Florida in February -- When we arrived at the end of February for our cave diving trip this year, the daytime high temperatures were in the mid 20's (and the place we had rented had no heat!) In addition, if there are heavy rains in the South before you come, the caves will flood. We arrived just as Peacock went under (where we had hoped to begin our diving) and we chased all over North Florida for the next five days, usually getting a dive in just before the system got closed down! We managed to get in six good days of diving, but it required a little fancy footwork.
Keep in mind that the floods of this year are not a given every year. Even with the floods, we were able to dive every weekend all winter long. We logged a lot of dives at Ginnie and Manatee, but still we had no problem getting in dives.
As far as the outside temp goes, I didn't find that to be much of a factor and I dove wet all winter. If you get cool, you can just jump in the 72 degree spring to warm up. We had a number of SI's sitting in the spring.
As far as the outside temp goes, I didn't find that to be much of a factor and I dove wet all winter. If you get cool, you can just jump in the 72 degree spring to warm up. We had a number of SI's sitting in the spring.
caves in Florida during the month of Feb can be a hit or miss thing subject to the weather patterns and flood conditions. Some years the systems are at their best and others they are closed. Usually the last to close are Ginnie and Manatee. The air temps can be cool for what many think of a typical Florida day to be like. This year the weather has seemed to be off the norm so it will be anybody'd guess as to how they will be come Feb. Regardless of the air temps the water temps will be at their norm of 72 F. The flow rates will be subject to the water levels. Over the last few weeks I have seen water levels down at some of the springs and up at others. So pick your spot and check first before going as to what the system is acting like. CDF is a good source of information on this.
metaldector
Contributor
Looking at my log book we dove two weekends last Feb. Two dives at Peacock, Peanut line, one at Little River, and two in the Devils System at Ginnie. Log book note weather as "Cool". Water temp 72 degrees. Unless it floods (winter is usually dry) the systems next Feb. should be open.
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