Is Ginnie Springs good diving?

[BekaLynn]

I lived about 2 miles from Ginnie... and here's the area... tree, tree, tree, tree, dirt road, tree, tree, tree... people who live there get no cable tv, no city water.... in other words, it's a wonderful peaceful country area. Marriott? No! But Gainesville is nearby, and there's the best little pizza place ever... Leonardo's... makes my mouth water just thinking about those yummie garlic rolls.

I would recommend Troy Springs, Manatee Springs, Devil's Den, and Blue Grotto. Both Blue Grotto and Devil's den are right near each other. Troy is really a unique dive, it has the remnants of a steamboat (the ribs and several nails) that was scuttled by her captain in the 1800's (I can't remember the exact year, but if I remember it correctly it was civil war era). you can snorkel out to it, and from what the ranger told us, at certain times of the year you can crawl out on your bellie. The spring, is about 70 to 80 feet, depending on the time of year and water level of the run. Three sides are a sheer drop with the 4th being a steep slope. There's lots to explore. At the bottom there's a small overhead.

Manatee is a basic open bowl. It has a strong flow, with a log that has fallen across the front that provides a really cool way to hold on and feel as though you are flying... (newbie perspective here). There are lots of fish here, flounder and a few others that are common to most Florida springs. It also has catfish hotel if you are interested in any caves.

Both are state parks and have good facilities... and are very cheap!

You can search for Blue Grotto and Devil's Den here on Scubaboard, lots has been posted on both of them.

Whatever you decide, you will enjoy Florida's springs, they are all unique!

 

[herman]

Then you think it's ok for a one trip deal? Blue Grotto, Devil's Den? How close are they? I'll try an internet search

IMO, yea it's good for a one shot deal. My LDS does the trip every year around this time. If I remember correctly, Ginnie is around 50 miles from Blue Groto and DD (they are almost across the street from each other). Easily drivable between them for day runs. I think if it were me, I would stay near BG and DD, then do a day run to Ginnie. Per the Ginnie web site, entry fee for a diver is $30, their web site might be out of date. $30 was pushing the value IMO, if it's $40 I have made my last trip unless someone else is paying.

 

[Big John]

Just got back from the area, did not dive Gennie but several in our group did and had a great dive. We did dive Blue Grotto and it was an interesting dive, but it reminds me alot of a quarry dive and could get very repetitive quickly. Several of the group also went over to Devils Den and liked the dive there but I got the impression from all the divers that most of these places are a 1 shot deal and after you have been there there is not much point in returning.

We stayed in Crystal River and BG and DD are about 30-40 minutes away and Ginnie is 1-1:15. Lodging in Crystal River is cheap enough with AAA discount Econolodge was $58 a night. The highlight of the crystal river trip was the opportunity to snorkel with the Manatee in the springs. My Daughter and I both loved the interaction with these interesting animals. We also did a drift dive of the Rainbow River which was a very different dive from the usual NC diving.

Overall it was a great midwinter diversion, I enjoyed the trip and as a first time trip it is great. A multiple return destination probably not.

 

[SandyRobinson]

It's $12 to get in and $30 for a days diving, hope I have the correct? It would be my first experience diving fresh water so I might just like to see what that's all about. Do you think it's OK for a one time trip, or is it such a yawn that it's not worth a 7 1/2 drive?

The $30 dive fee includes the entrance fee.

If you have never dove Ginnie, I would recommend a couple of dives in the Ginnie Ballroom. The entance is around 15 feet, and the max depth is about 50 feet. It is crystal clear with no silt but take a couple of lights with you. Although you will be able to see light from the exit, a light will help you to look in cracks and crevices or into the cave that is behind the grate.

If the Sante Fe is clear, also do a drift dive. You can enter at the Devils System (no lights) and drift down to the the entrance at Ginnie. You do not need a light on this dive.

If Troy is clear, that is not a bad dive but I would suggest getting there early so that you can beat any OW checkout dives. The dive fee is $10. There is not a dive shop on the premises but you can get air fills and tank rentals in Luraville at Cave Excursions or Dive Outpost - maybe 20 minutes away

One other site that has not been suggested is a drift dive on the Rainbow River. It is a clear spring fed river with depths from 7 to 25 feet. I am not sure who has trips but a search will yield a couple of operators.

Have a good trip.

 

[Scotttyd]

One other site that has not been suggested is a drift dive on the Rainbow River. It is a clear spring fed river with depths from 7 to 25 feet. I am not sure who has trips but a search will yield a couple of operators.

Have a good trip.

This is an OK dive, 7-25 feet might be pushing it. Average depth is maybe 6 feet, the deepest I got was 19 when I stuck my computer into one of the springs. It is an easy easy dive, just watch out for pontoons. I think if you are not cave certified (which I am not) the springs are OK for a trip every once in a while, I just got back from one, but do not see myself excited to book another. Again, just my opinion, I am more interested in sea life and the history of old wrecks.

 

[pilot fish]

Would these Florida spring dives be equivilent to cenotes in Mexico?

I think, from what I'm reading, it's a good one or two shot deal? Herman, will look into BG and DD. Thanks.

Thank you all for very good dive advice.

 

[JohnW]

I think, from what I'm reading, it's a good one or two shot deal? .

If your OW certified yes...but if your Cave Certified or taking even the Intro Course, there's enough great Dives to last out a week. I just returned from doing my Full Cave CCR there and had a great time. We also did Madison Blue Springs, Peacock and Little River.

The Caves (Devil's Ear and Eye) are clean and clear because of the High Flow and the Main Gold Line is really well run. Even if you don't want to do Jumps, the Main Gold Line takes you through some great underwater scenery and goes back forever. If your not Cave Certified, take the course or intro course while your there. I had a lot of fun doing it and some great skills were learned.

 

[pilot fish]

Yeah, I'm just AOW certified so caves would not be on my agenda. Can you do caverns as AOW? I'm not interested in Cave cert, since it would tempt me to do sites I'd be better off staying away from.

If your OW certified yes...but if your Cave Certified or taking even the Intro Course, there's enough great Dives to last out a week. I just returned from doing my Full Cave CCR there and had a great time. We also did Madison Blue Springs, Peacock and Little River.

The Caves (Devil's Ear and Eye) are clean and clear because of the High Flow and the Main Gold Line is really well run. Even if you don't want to do Jumps, the Main Gold Line takes you through some great underwater scenery and goes back forever. If your not Cave Certified, take the course or intro course while your there. I had a lot of fun doing it and some great skills were learned.

 

[herman]

Honestly, you might want to consider cavern class. I had/have no desire to dive caves but cavern class introduces you to a lot of skills and training that I find very useful in "normal" diving. Even if you have no desire to dive caverns it's a good class to farther your diving education. With the exception of Rescue, it's the most useful class I have taken.

 

[battles2a5]

Would these Florida spring dives be equivilent to cenotes in Mexico?

I think, from what I'm reading, it's a good one or two shot deal? Herman, will look into BG and DD. Thanks.

Thank you all for very good dive advice.

Florida spring dives are not anything like the cenotes. Most of the mexico cenotes were dry caves at certain points in time throughout history and developed a lot of decorations in the process. The bedding plane is also much shallower, so the majority of the caves and spring/sink entrances are shallow and begin in 15-30ft of water. So the cenote tours are nice leisurely swims around the cave entrance and you see lots of decorations and the such. Going down into the cavern at Ginnie is more like swimming up a fire hose. Much of the beauty in the Floridian formations is in how the hydrology has shaped the caves and the different compositions of the caves whereas the yucatan's beauty lies primarily in the remains of the dry periods (IMO anyways).