inland deep spots for a deco class?

[sea_ledford]

After having issues with getting to an appropriate depth anywhere in Texas due to low water levels, I'm considering shifting my future AN/DP/HX classes to Florida. Finishing up in the Oriskany is an easy call, but for the 3-5 middle dives I'd like to not have to deal with offshore conditions from a planning and logistics standpoint.

Are there any inland spots in FL, preferable closer to the panhandle, with 100-130' depth that are not in caves or caverns?

Thanks!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

After having issues with getting to an appropriate depth anywhere in Texas due to low water levels, I'm considering shifting my future AN/DP/HX classes to Florida. Finishing up in the Oriskany is an easy call, but for the 3-5 middle dives I'd like to not have to deal with offshore conditions from a planning and logistics standpoint.

Are there any inland spots in FL, preferable closer to the panhandle, with 100-130' depth that are not in caves or caverns?

Thanks!

Except for the fact that charters to the O get blown out A LOT. You'd have better luck with Key Largo, Palm Beach or Pompano Beach. Charters to those deep wrecks are blown out far less frequently.

 

[grantctobin]

There’s always Hudson Grotto

 

[Eric802]

How about Canyon Lake? Are the levels too low there, the depth should be 130+ right?

 

[Manatee Diver]

There’s always Hudson Grotto

That is probably the only site that qualifies, everything else is solidly a cave deeper than 100ft. And even then it just barely qualifies, and I wouldn't willingly go there.

 

[sea_ledford]

How about Canyon Lake? Are the levels too low there, the depth should be 130+ right?

Apparently Canyon Lake is 125 when full. Looks like its 42' low right now.

 

[sea_ledford]

Except for the fact that charters to the O get blown out A LOT. You'd have better luck with Key Largo, Palm Beach or Pompano Beach. Charters to those deep wrecks are blown out far less frequently.

Yeah, that why I'm trying to find another option. The gulf just gets blown out too often to plan around it. I didn't know the O got blown out regularly though.

East coast of south FL might be my best option.

 

[sea_ledford]

Is 40 Fathom Grotto closed? Looking at their website it says it'll reopen in 2013, so I'm guessing it is not open.

 

[tursiops]

Yes, it seems to be open, but with a hefty entrance fee and requirements on who can get in.
See 40 Fathom Grotto Status??? and 40 Fathoms Grotto..

 

[sea_ledford]

Ouch. I could just charter a boat for an entire class for less than that. Or fly to Cozumel.

As they say, the best diving in Texas is in Mexico!